At the International Casino Exhibition (ICE) in London, United Kingdom (UK), Lanre Gbajabiamila, the Director-General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), was presented with the Africa Gaming Hall of Fame Award of Excellence.
His persistent commitment, inventiveness, and leadership in the evolution of the gaming and lottery industries in Africa, especially in Nigeria, were recognized with this award.
Since his appointment, Gbajabiamila, also referred to as “Mr. Lottery,” has led the way in regulatory innovation and excellence in Nigeria’s lottery sector. The NLRC has seen remarkable growth and reform that precisely aligns with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to propel the lottery industry to new heights.
During his leadership, NLRC’s bi-annual gaming conference, which transformed from a national to an international event in 2021, has been a pioneer in accepting international norms and cultivating worldwide collaborations.
The 2023 conference in Lagos brought together a diverse group of specialists, operators, and investors from throughout the globe, highlighting Nigeria’s increasing impact in the global gaming sector.
“This internationalization of the gaming conference has been a calculated move to draw in foreign investment, boost resource inflow into Nigeria, and give Nigerian gaming industry leaders a platform to network with global giants.”Under Gbajabiamila’s leadership, the nation has not only gained access to new sources of income but has also improved the gaming experience for Nigerians, guaranteeing higher payouts and a more controlled atmosphere.
“Mr. Gbajabiamila also took part in an important roundtable discussion with the theme “Gaming Regulations in Africa: the journey so far, and what the future holds” during the ICE London Conference. In a statement from his media office, he added, “He shared insights into the regulatory landscape of the industry alongside other esteemed gaming experts, emphasizing the importance of fostering local content policies and partnerships to mitigate capital flight from African countries.”
Before traveling to London to accept the ICE award, Gbajabiamila received a spectacular Special Recognition Award from the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, which was presided over by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, for being “Mr. Lottery.”
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Engr. Farouk Yusuf Yabo, who was filling in for the minister, presented the special award and praised the lottery boss’s outstanding efforts to data protection in Nigeria.
The Minister expressed gratitude to Mr. Gbajabiamila by saying, “We have taken note of your unwavering support and contributions to the National Data Protection Commission.” Your assistance has been crucial in advancing the objectives of both commissions.
Gbajabiamila made a name for himself in the gaming sector before rising to the top of the NLRC, including a noteworthy tenure at the National Sports Lottery. His innovative work on the Essnet Lottery Operating System, which oversees five million lottery transactions every week, exemplifies his ability to combine technical know-how with inspiring leadership.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to reappoint him in 2022 for a final four-year term was a testament to his effective leadership and the significant progress that was accomplished under his direction.
In addition to being a personal honor for Gbajabiamila, Kate Chambers’ Africa Gaming Hall of Fame Award of Excellence at ICE 2024 also serves as a showcase for Nigeria’s growing stature in the world’s lottery and gaming sectors.