Oscar’s History AS A Specialist and Influence in the Gaming Sector.
The MTN Career Series interview with Michael Oscar starts with him sharing his journey into the gaming and animation industry with host Riyah Abdul. based on the discussion from the interview we know that from an early age, Oscar was immersed in technology at just 15, he was gifted a mini laptop, which granted him access to the internet and unlocked a world of possibilities. His liberal upbringing meant unrestricted exposure to comics, animation, and digital media, shaping his creative instincts.
By 2009, Oscar was on the path to becoming a cybersecurity expert, but an internship at the Center for Tech proved to be a turning point. There, he realized that gaming wasn’t just about consumption he could create his own experiences for others to enjoy. This revelation set him on a path of innovation and leadership in the industry.
Today, Esio is a key figure in the gaming sector, as a co-founder at Africacomicade and also having served as the Gaming Partnership Lead for Sub-Saharan Africa at TikTok, where he has played a crucial role in expanding opportunities for African creators in the gaming and animation space.
Africacomicade & The Creative Space
Oscar Michael also delves into the history and vision behind Africacomicade (The name Originating from the words “Africa, Comic & Arcade”), shedding light on its journey the highs, lows, and the business realities that have shaped its growth. He offers an in-depth look at the creative sector’s challenges, particularly in gaming and animation, highlighting key issues such as revenue generation, lack of awareness, industry sustainability, and talent development. Through his insights, he paints a clear picture of the hurdles creators face while emphasizing the need for stronger business structures to support African talent in the global creative economy. Africacomicade plays well into the scenario as these challenges have been the organization’s pain points through the different programs they run. i.e. Spark Fellowship and ARK Fellowship.
The host Riyah Abdul brings up the topic of gaming shows and their scarcity within Nigeria, sparking a discussion on the industry’s visibility. In response, Oscar Michael addresses a major misconception, many professional bodies in Nigeria wrongly equate gaming with gambling, leading to distrust, regulatory hurdles, and business challenges. This misunderstanding not only affects industry growth but also makes it difficult to engage with parents and key stakeholders. Additionally, Oscar briefly touches on the lack of regulatory bodies for gaming in Nigeria, highlighting how the absence of structured oversight further complicates industry development.
The conversation then shifts to trends and future predictions for Africa’s gaming and creative sectors. Esio and Abdul explore the diverse mediums and genres of gaming, emphasizing how Nigeria’s youthful and vibrant population positions it as a potential hub for industry growth. Esio highlights how game developers are not only creating entertainment but also new career opportunities for consumers, especially through esports, which has gained global recognition, including acknowledgment from the International Olympic Committee.
However, when asked about the viability of becoming a full-time esports player in Nigeria & Africa, Esio offers a word of caution. He advises aspiring players to strike a balance between esports as a profession and as a hobby, citing uncertainties in the local industry compared to more established global markets. While esports presents exciting opportunities, he stresses the importance of financial stability and long-term career planning within Africa’s evolving gaming landscape.
When asked to elaborate on Africacomicade, Oscar Michael Esio describes it as a platform-driven organization with a strong focus on the business side of gaming and talent development. He explains how Africacomicade provides industry expertise, insights, and internship opportunities to help creatives refine their skills and gain practical experience. Additionally, the platform plays a crucial role in data sourcing within the gaming, animation, and immersive media sectors, including XR (Extended Reality), AR (Augmented Reality), and VR (Virtual Reality).
Highlighting its contributions to talent and business development, Esio discusses Africacomicade’s Spark and ARK fellowships. The Spark Fellowship is dedicated to nurturing talent, and equipping creatives with the necessary skills to thrive in the industry, while the ARK Fellowship focuses on business growth and sustainability. As a testament to its impact, Esio notes that several studios under the ARK Fellowship track have collectively raised over $200,000 from last year to the present, showcasing Africacomicade’s role in empowering African game developers and entrepreneurs.
MTN career series as an informative channel
As the show comes to a close, Oscar Michael Esio shares valuable advice and insights on thriving in the gaming and creative industry. One of his key takeaways is the importance of building and nurturing a community, emphasizing that having a strong support network is essential for growth and success. He highlights that in an industry driven by collaboration and innovation, your community serves as your foundation and major pillar.
For those looking to catch the full discussion and explore more insightful content, the MTN YouTube channel offers this episode and other industry-related conversations. You can catch this particular episode on the MTN Nigeria YouTube Channel
The MTN Career Series is a series of episodes produced by MTN Nigeria that highlights various career paths, experiences, and advice from industry professionals. Each episode features discussions on topics such as entrepreneurship and overcoming challenges in one’s career journey. You can subscribe to the channel to get insight on industry careers through the viewpoint of professionals and changemakers within different professions.
Last Updated on February 25, 2025
