The Imo State Ministry of Youth Development and Talent Hunt, in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Narcotics and Illicit Drugs Monitoring, has officially unveiled the Nigeria/Japan Youth Games Creators Contest 2026, an innovative youth empowerment initiative aimed at discovering and promoting the creative talents of young Nigerians on the global stage.
The programme was unveiled during a world press conference held on June 29, 2026, at the ICT Centre of the Imo State Secretariat. The event was jointly addressed by the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt, Dr. Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Narcotics and Illicit Drugs, Hon. Chief Ezechukwu Nnamdi Obonna.
During the ceremony, the organisers launched the official registration portals for the contest. Interested participants can register through https://jnaija.com/contest, while additional information is available via https://janina.com and https://jnaija.com/supporters.
The event attracted top government officials and notable figures in the entertainment industry, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment, Hon. Bobby Michael, veteran Nollywood actor Vitalis Ndubuisi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Skill Acquisition, Hon. Chidi Onyewuchi.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ukaegbu disclosed that the initiative was conceived following his official visit to Japan alongside Hon. Obonna, where they established a partnership with Mr. Taku Kato, Chief Executive Officer of Gigbeing Incorporation, Tokyo, Japan.
The Commissioner expressed profound appreciation to the Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, for approving and sponsoring the trip, noting that the partnership was designed to create international opportunities for Imo youths through innovation and digital creativity.
According to him, the state government is committed to ensuring that young people travel abroad for meaningful and productive engagements rather than irregular migration. He explained that the Nigeria/Japan Youth Games Creators Contest is designed to expose talented youths to the global digital economy while creating sustainable employment opportunities.
Dr. Ukaegbu stated that the competition would enable participants to showcase their creativity by developing gaming concepts centred on Nigerian stories, characters and mythology, thereby projecting the nation's rich cultural heritage to the international market.
In his remarks, Hon. Chief Ezechukwu Obonna described the initiative as a strategic intervention against youth involvement in substance abuse, crime and other social vices. He said the programme would positively engage young people by channeling their talents into productive ventures and commended Dr. Ukaegbu for introducing such an innovative project.
Also speaking, Hon. Bobby Michael described the contest as one of the most significant youth-focused initiatives introduced in Imo State in recent times. He encouraged young people to seize the opportunity to showcase their talents to the world while expressing gratitude to Governor Hope Uzodimma for supporting the programme, which he said further demonstrates the administration's commitment to youth development.
The Special Adviser on Skill Acquisition, Hon. Chidi Onyewuchi, equally applauded the state government for creating the platform. He urged eligible youths to register and encourage others to participate, stressing that the contest could serve as a stepping stone to entrepreneurship and global recognition.
He further disclosed that the Uzodimma administration has committed billion towards youth empowerment, with a significant portion dedicated to the Imo Digital City Project, aimed at expanding digital knowledge and skill acquisition among young people.
Veteran Nollywood actor Vitalis Ndubuisi praised Dr. Ukaegbu for his humility, accessibility and commitment to youth empowerment. He noted that his passion for mentoring young people informed his decision to relocate from Lagos and commended Governor Uzodimma for appointing a commissioner he described as competent and result-oriented.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development and Talent Hunt, Dr. Dorathy Mirikwe, applauded Governor Hope Uzodimma for establishing a separate Ministry of Youth Development, describing the decision as a landmark achievement that has provided young people with a dedicated platform to nurture and express their talents.
She also commended the leadership capacity of Dr. Ukaegbu, describing him as an exceptional administrator whose vision continues to reposition youth development in the state.
The high point of the event was the official unveiling of the contest registration portal and the presentation of the rewards awaiting successful participants.
The organisers announced that winners will compete for prizes including 1 million (One Million Japanese Yen), an all-expenses-paid trip to Japan sponsored by the Japanese partner company, hotel accommodation, visits to notable tourist attractions, and the opportunity to have their gaming concepts and fictional stories professionally developed into internationally marketed digital games.
They further disclosed that the three overall winners would retain lifetime profit-sharing rights from the commercial success of their games while enjoying full protection of their intellectual property rights.