In recognition of his stellar performance in the management of the lottery and gaming industry in Nigeria, Director-General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila was, at the weekend, honored with the Africa Gaming Hall of Fame Award of Excellence at the International Casino Exhibition (ICE) in London, United Kingdom (UK).
Mr. Gbajabiamila, popularly called ‘Mr. Lottery’ was inducted into the highest Lottery Hall of Fame for his dedication, commitment, steadfastness, and novelty in the development of lotteries and gaming in, not only in Nigeria but also on the African continent.
Kate Chambers from Clarion, presented the prestigious award to Gbajabiamila at the Growth Market Zone, S9 of the Excel Centre, London with praises and commendations before the motley convergence of the topmost leaders, regulators and operators in the lottery business across the globe that accorded the Nigerian lottery Czar a standing ovation.
The London ICE award was preceded by yet another record award, conferred on Gbajabiamila by the National Data Protection Commission under the chairmanship of the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
Presenting the Special Recognition Award to Mr Gbajabiamila, the Permanent Secretary in the Communications ministry, Engr. Farouk Yusuf Yabo , who stood in for his Minister, commended the lottery boss for his effective contributions to data protection in Nigeria.
Eulogizing the NLRC D-G, the Minister said,” Your steadfast support and contributions to the National Data Protection Commission have not gone unnoticed. Your collaboration has been instrumental in furthering the goals of both commissions.
Immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari approved the reappointment of Gbajabiamila as the director-general of NLRC for a term of another four years as a result of his profound, unmatched accomplishments in his first term as the head of the lottery commission.
On October 31 and November 1, 2023, NLRC successfully hosted the first International Gaming Conference in Nigeria at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos which was attended by the most respected players in the lottery and gaming industry from all over the world. Local and international delegates at the conference expressed their satisfaction for excellent organization, penetration, and the far-reaching decisions reached at the world class conference.
Director-General of Ghana Lottery Agency described the Gbajabiamila led NLRC’s international gaming conference as the best, ever in Africa.
Since his appointment as the chief regulator of lottery and gaming in Nigeria, Gbajabiamila has remarkably transformed the industry and steadily moving the lottery to a main revenue earning sector for the country With Lanre Gbajabiamila, Mr Lottery, it is a win-win for all. The lottery industry is growing; the operators are getting better returns on investments; the players’ winnings are increasing, while more revenues are being generated into the government coffers for more social amenities
