Yesterday in Abuja, I joined my colleagues in the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government through the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), led by its Director-General, Olalekan Fadolapo.
This important step marks the adoption of a unified regulatory framework aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s gaming sector.
The engagement brought together gaming regulators from 25 states of the federation under the platform of the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria.
The initiative is designed to deepen collaboration between federal and state authorities while creating a more transparent and structured operating environment for gaming operators across the country.
For us in Cross River State, this unified framework represents a strategic opportunity to attract responsible investment into the gaming and lottery sector.
It will also enhance compliance, strengthen regulatory oversight, and significantly boost internally generated revenue for our state.
The harmonised framework will further help curb illegal and unlicensed gaming advertising while promoting responsible and ethical advertising practices across media platforms.
It will also support pre-advertising licensing verification and enhance information sharing among regulatory bodies.
Cross River State remains committed to aligning with national best practices that support industry growth while protecting public interest and strengthening investor confidence in our gaming sector.
The MoU was signed between the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria and the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria, led by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority, Bashir Are, representing the 25 participating states, including Cross River State.
Signed.
Hon. Michael Eja
Director-General, Cross River Lottery and Gaming Agency.
March 10, 2026
