Nexal Gaming Celebrates GoWagr Co-founder Oluwaleke as He Secures O-1 Visa to the United States

In a major milestone for Nigeria’s growing tech and gaming ecosystem, Oluwaleke, Co-founder and CTO of GoWagr, has secured the prestigious U.S. O-1 Visa, also known as the Extraordinary Talent Visa. The visa recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional ability in their field, and for Oluwaleke, it marks a defining step in his mission to scale GoWagr globally, with backing and validation from Nexal Gaming and other key voices in the Nigerian gaming industry.

From Obafemi Awolowo University to Global Innovation

Oluwaleke’s journey began in his early years, with a fascination for computers and electronics that later evolved into a career in software engineering. During his time at Obafemi Awolowo University, he joined IEEE iLabs, where he was mentored in Java and Android development. His first projects were born from curiosity and a drive to solve everyday problems, including an app that allowed his class representative to save over 150 phone contacts at once.

From there, he went on to build the first open-source WhatsApp status saver app, a project that collectively led to over 200 million downloads on the Play Store. His professional path soon took him across Africa’s biggest tech companies, including Binance, Bundle, YellowCard, and Nestcoin, where he worked on blockchain infrastructure and integrations that processed hundreds of millions of dollars in stablecoin transactions.

By 2023, he co-founded GoWagr alongside Daniel and Michael, longtime collaborators since their university days, to solve a critical challenge in Africa’s competitive gaming scene: payments, trust, and security. Two years later, GoWagr boasts over 170,000 users, $8 million in processed volume, and a profitable operation, serving as clear evidence of the innovation fueling Africa’s gaming economy.

What the O-1 Visa Represents

The U.S. O-1 Visa is one of the most competitive visa categories, awarded only to individuals who can prove “extraordinary ability” in their profession. Applicants must meet at least three of eight strict criteria, including recognition of original contributions, leadership roles, high compensation, and published media coverage.

“There are two sub-categories,” Oluwaleke explains.
“O-1A for individuals with extraordinary ability in science, education, business, or athletics; and O-1B for individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts or entertainment industry.”
He also notes that immigrant equivalents, like EB-1A and EB-1B, grant permanent residence status but come with similar requirements.

Building a Global Profile from Nigeria

For Oluwaleke, the foundation for this recognition was laid years before his visa application.
“I’ve been shipping interesting products since 2016 and writing about some of them since 2018,” he says. “Media houses covered my work at GoWagr and Insomnia Labs,  that fulfilled the ‘media publication’ criterion. For original contribution, we demonstrated GoWagr’s impact on the gaming industry with strong data and publications. And for critical role, my time as CTO at Insomnia Labs, leading over 35 engineers on multi-million-dollar projects, was a key highlight.”

He emphasizes one lesson for others hoping to follow this path:

“Be public about your work. Don’t wait till later,  the O-1 requires proof of sustained extraordinary ability.”

Challenges and the Power of Support

Like most Nigerians breaking into global systems, Oluwaleke faced challenges. “Finding the right legal counsel was difficult,” he recalls. “I started with Deel, but nothing moved for a month. Then I got connected to Agora Visa, and they were incredibly helpful. The entire process, from drafting to evidence gathering to USCIS approval, took about five months.”

He also credits Nexal Gaming and others in the local ecosystem for strengthening his application:

“Nexal Gaming was key in proving GoWagr’s significance. Having Michael and Paul provide a recommendation letter highlighting GoWagr’s impact in African gaming helped my case tremendously.”

Advice for Nigerian Innovators and Builders

Oluwaleke’s message to aspiring creators is direct:

“Let your work speak, but also be public about it. As Nigerians, life already leads us 3-0,” he jokes. “Collaborate. Don’t see one another as competition, your competition is in New York, San Francisco, MIT, or Harvard. Build together, build what you love, and solve problems with tech that the world needs.”

He also urges innovators to use social platforms wisely:

“There’s a time to be quiet, but also a time to be public. Your story matters. Your pre-seed check or next job could come from someone who’s seen your work online. We joke that ‘a closed mouth is a closed destiny’,  funny, but true. Put some talk behind your work.”

A Milestone for GoWagr and African Gaming

Now based in the United States, Oluwaleke is focused on expanding GoWagr’s global footprint and bridging the gap between African and international gamers.
“Being in New York gives me access to global talent, capital, and partnerships,” he says. “We’re building a platform where Nigerian and African gamers can compete globally, connecting communities through trust and technology.”

With leaders like Oluwaleke breaking barriers, and organizations like Nexal Gaming amplifying their stories, the narrative of African gaming is rapidly evolving, from local ambition to global recognition.

About Nexal Gaming

Nexal Gaming is a media and marketing brand for gaming in Africa, focused on community development, esports, and games distribution. Through initiatives, stories, and partnerships, Nexal Gaming continues to spotlight the people and projects shaping the continent’s gaming future.