Technology has been experiencing a steady rise in Nigeria, and as mobile devices are being integrated into people’s everyday lives, mobile games are becoming one of the dominant forms of entertainment in the country. And as online gaming is exploding in popularity all over the world, with the number of players exceeding 1 billion, it has penetrated the African continent as well. In Nigeria, this form of entertainment became one of the most popular leisure activities, as well, and the market size is growing.
The industry’s revenue is projected to reach more than $128 million by the year 2023, which is an incredible growth from the modest $41 million acquired in 2018. The growing popularity is constantly encouraging developers to come up with new titles with improved graphics and features.
The Future of Mobile Gaming
As the global pandemic is leaving people with more free time to spend, the growth of mobile gaming is showing no signs of slowing down. Since 43% of Nigeria’s population has access to the internet and the corresponding devices, the industry is expected to break all revenue records in the following years. Moreover, both local and international operators keep competing to attract more players, making the variety of choices available skyrocket.
Most Popular Mobile Games in Nigeria
Although Nigerians are interested in many game types and categories and titles, there are a few titles they are especially fond of:
Online Casino Games
Nigerians are passionate about sports betting and many other forms of gambling. In fact, 4 out of 10 people in the country engage in some form of gambling, so it is no surprise that a large portion of the nation is crazy about online casino games. The rise is supported by the recent penetration of smartphones, and people now regularly engage in different categories from slots to strategic card games.
The rise of mobile casino gaming is also seen in other countries like South Africa where the operators are doing their best to provide their members with attractive rewards. Online casinos with free spins like the ones at Springbok Casino are becoming a norm within the industry. And just like in South Africa, this trend of operators with various bonuses is slowly spreading to the rest of the continent, in order to attract new users, provide them with great prizes and promotions and help them get started with these games if they are beginners.
Candy Crush Saga
Candy Crush Saga is a famous puzzle game adored by millions of people around the world, and Nigerians are no exception. It challenges users to switch and match colourful candies to progress from one level to another. Points are awarded for matching three or more candies, and the system also rewards loyal members with daily prizes. Users can spend hours solving puzzles and collecting different boosters in the process.
Naija Ludo
Ludo is a classic dice game that requires a simple set of dice and four pieces per player. Most Nigerians spent time playing Ludo on either a glass or a wooden board in their childhood and teenage years. Now that Ludo is easily accessible via smartphones, its popularity is growing even more. The Android version of Naija Ludo supports two players with two eight pieces and two houses each. The end goal is to have all eight pieces enter any of the two homes before the opponent does the same.
Bubble Shooter
This classic bubble shoot game is definitely one of the top choices among Nigerian players. The users are faced with a challenge of aiming and matching the right bubbles in order to eliminate them from the board. Matching at least three of the same colour will pop the bubbles and make them disappear. When it comes to hitting spots that are hard to reach, the users can make use of different angles that will help the shooting bubble bounce off the walls and reach the goal. Bubble Shooter has been around for a while, being a favourite pastime for many users both on desktop and mobile.
FIFA Soccer
The country is known to be the home for many passionate soccer fans, and it is no wonder that Nigerians adore the new FIFA Soccer that allows them to build their own ultimate team. The users can lead teams packed with superstars and score goals competing in world-class events. The pool of more than 600 teams includes legendary ones like Real Madrid and Manchester City, and the users can take part in exciting live events that mimic some of the most famous real-world tournaments. Devoted sports admirers now have a chance to enjoy immersive digital soccer games, encouraged by the realistic sounds of cheering fans placed in well-known FIFA stadiums, as well as live audio commentary that follows every match.
It is a great time to be a fan of mobile games in Nigeria. Smartphones and the internet are more accessible than ever, and developers from all corners of the world are constantly launching new titles. Since the market’s popularity is skyrocketing, and the amazing growth is expected to continue in the following years, everyone is excited to see what new options and features will arise in the near future.