What Are People in Nigeria Streaming in 2021?

 

 

Live streaming in Nigeria has really taken off in a big way recently. Advances in technology including better quality internet connections and an increase in the use of mobile devices have been behind it.

 

Just what are Nigerians streaming on their computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other gadgets, though? The answer, as we shall see, is much the same as other countries around the world that have also embraced live streams.

 

 

There are at least 15 free-to-air TV stations operating within Nigeria. The country has always been at the front of broadcasting in Africa, so it’s no surprise to learn they have the largest terrestrial network of any nation on the continent. 

 

When you add in subscription and pay-per-view channels, which have only become more popular as a result of the growth in live streaming, there are around 100 stations to watch. News is particularly popular in Nigeria with TVC News operating out of Lagos but broadcasting to a much wider audience.

 

 Besides English, the country’s official language, TV shows, and news coverage are broadcast in Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba. These are localized and regional tongues spoken in certain parts of Nigeria, and the fact that streaming services cater to these languages says plenty about how well developed this medium is.

 

 

Playing games has never been easier thanks to live streaming, mobile technology, and better connectivity. Most are just for fun with Angry Birds and Candy Crush among the most popular with more digitally savvy gamers. Indeed, things have certainly come a long way from Game Boys and the early generation consoles like those mass-produced globally by Nintendo and Sony. Streaming is now integral to the gaming industry, effectively making any smartphone a handheld console.

 

For example, streaming is broadly used to support the gambling industry and games of chance. Live internet casinos like those at William Hill provide the opportunity to play Blackjack, Poker, Roulette, and variants of them online too. This has its place among the live experiences that Nigerians are sampling online. Better internet connections have also resulted in the growth of multiplayer online gaming. Call of Duty and Clash of Clans are examples of globally popular games that have developed followings in Nigeria too.

 

 

Closely tied to general TV and news coverage is sports streaming. Football is considered the national game of Nigeria and, while domestic football is well-received via streams, people love to follow the country’s soccer stars overseas.

 

No fewer than six players who have represented the Super Eagles, the Nigerian national team, turned out in the English Premier League during the 2020-21 season. Central holding midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and forward Kelechi Iheanacho helped Leicester City to lift the FA Cup, defeating subsequent UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea in the final at Wembley Stadium.

 

Both clubs are among those to have developed followings in Nigeria. Chelsea used to have Celestine Babayaro, John Obi Mikel, and Victor Moses playing for them, who all wore the Super Eagles jersey. These links to the English Premier League have only become strengthened by the ease and availability of live streams in Nigeria, so soccer fans can access their favorite sport.

Away from the football field, Blessing Okagbare who runs in sprints and has also competed in the long jump will be one to follow during the athletics competition at the Tokyo Olympics. Nigerians will be sure to tune in to the Games from Japan to see how she performs in track and field.

 

Whether you stream sports and television, or gaming, where we play for money or just for fun, one thing is clear. Live streams have become a game-changer for the way that Nigerians keep themselves entertained during their leisure time.