TLDR
- Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology announced a review of NOTAP registration rules for digital and software-delivered gaming services.
- The announcement came at the Enugu Gaming Conference 2026, held under the theme “Code, Capital and Compliance.”
- The review will include input from industry stakeholders and is expected to be reported before the end of the current quarter.
- Conference delegates also discussed gaming taxation, unlicensed operators, and player protection.
- The minister promised to return in 2027 to report publicly on which commitments were kept.
Nigeria Plans Overhaul of Software Registration Rules for Gaming Sector
Nigeria’s gaming industry could see changes to how technology and software services are regulated. The announcement came from the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN.
He spoke at the Enugu Gaming Conference 2026, held at the International Conference Center in Enugu. The event brought together regulators, operators, and investors from across Nigeria and Africa.
Dr. Udeh said the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, known as NOTAP, will review its registration requirements. The focus will be on rules that apply to digital and software-delivered services.
Updating Rules for Digital Services
Many delegates at the conference agreed that current NOTAP rules were built for older technology transfer models. They said these rules do not match how software-based gaming services work today.
Dr. Udeh said the review will be done in consultation with industry groups. He added that the results will be reported by the end of the current quarter.
He also invited the Enugu State Gaming Commission and gaming operators to nominate people to take part in the review process. This step is meant to give the industry a direct voice in shaping the new rules.
The minister also made a longer-term promise. He said he would return in 2027 to report publicly on which commitments from the conference had actually been fulfilled.
Speakers at the event said regulatory clarity is tied to Nigeria’s ability to attract capital. They argued that building local gaming technology depends on rules that match current business models.
Taxes and Unlicensed Operators in Focus
Taxation was another major topic at the conference. Operators raised concerns about the tax burden created under Nigeria’s new gaming law.
Some pointed to confusion over how winnings tax is applied compared to jackpot tax. Investors said compliance costs and customer acquisition costs are already high.
The unlicensed gambling market also came up during discussions. Delegates said this remains a growing challenge for the regulated industry.
Responsible gaming was raised as a shared duty between operators and regulators. Speakers said monitoring should extend beyond online platforms to agents and physical gaming outlets.
One suggestion was training agents to spot signs of at-risk customers. This was framed as a practical step rather than a broad policy change.
Investor confidence was another theme throughout the sessions. Delegates said Nigeria’s large market size alone is not enough to draw in capital.
One conclusion from the conference summed up the sentiment. It stated that regulatory predictability, not market size, is what shapes investor confidence in Nigerian gaming.
The NOTAP review is now expected to move forward with stakeholder input over the coming months. Results are due before the current quarter ends.
