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Inside Nigeria’s ambitious dash into virtual reality

Oveimeh-Brown Alfredo
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Until the 2020s, the concept of the metaverse—an immersive environment world powered by virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) hardware—seemed idealistic and far-fetched.

Second Life, a computer game launched in 2003, was among the first to introduce the idea of a 3D world into the mainstream, enabling its players to create virtual representations of themselves (called avatars) and interact with other avatars. By 2013, its active user count had risen to one million. 

But the term metaverse was coined in the 1992 science-fiction novel Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson, where it is portrayed as an extension of the Internet accessed through portable terminals or goggles. 

Today, the metaverse is seen to be the next iteration of the Internet. The surge of online games and the breakthroughs in AI during the COVID-19 pandemic spurred hefty investment in metaverse-enabling technologies. Digital currencies are the stock-in-trade for transactions in the metaverse, and the surging value of cryptocurrencies over the years has stoked enthusiasm among a broader class of Internet users. 

American tech corporations have led investments in the sector. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has funnelled $46 billion into the metaverse since 2021. In 2022, the metaverse attracted more than $120 billion in funds. 

With the growth of blockchain technology and Web 3, Mckinsey & Company, a consulting outfit, projects that the metaverse could rise up to $5 trillion in value by 2030.

In Africa, interest in virtual reality is growing, thanks to a strong interest in cryptocurrency and Web 3 among many African youths. Businesses and even national governments are glomming unto the possibilities of the metaverse. Imisi 3D and Quadron Studios, for example, are two of several African startups making inroads into the metaverse and fostering a new digital lifestyle among African youths. 

Since 2018, Imisi 3D, a company headquartered in Lagos, has provided virtual classrooms and training simulations that bridge the gap from theoretical learning to applied knowledge.

Imisi 3D envisions an experience “where learning can be engaging and interactive,” explained Adewale Adekoya, one of its co-founders. Students have virtual tours in historic places, undertake science experiments and even enrol in virtual classes wearing VR headsets.

Imisi 3D’s approach has been to create VR experiences that feel indistinguishable from real-world interactions. 

When we first started, people thought VR was some far-off thing, something for big tech companies,” Adekoya said. 

Now, Imisi 3D is collaborating with local schools and universities to integrate VR platforms into traditional curricula, aiming to enhance digital literacy.

Quadron Studio, in contrast, aims to curate a virtual gallery for Nigerian arts. According to its CEO, Uche Anisiuba, this digital gallery will not only represent the works of art in their physical form but also host virtual installations and interactive exhibits, presenting new dimensions of relationships between artists and their audience.

The metaverse gives us the tools to not only show people art but to give them the opportunity to step into it, experience it from every angle, and even contribute to it,” he said. 

As a leading creative studio, Quadron blends storytelling with technology, creating an immersive virtual realm in which users can engage more deeply with art than in traditional galleries. 

We have seen how digital art is getting to be a global phenomenon, but we wanted to make sure Nigerian creatives have some sort of platform where they can shine, and it would be a perfect stage for them to be seen,” Anisiuba added.

Quadron’s vision includes introducing virtual performances, live concerts, and interactive theater to make art more accessible, regardless of geographic distance.

National Policy on VR/AR and Digital Innovation

In 2022, the Nigerian government introduced its National Policy on Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) to propel advancements in virtual-and augmented-reality technologies with an aim to position the country as the leader in virtual technology in Africa.

This policy oversees digital infrastructure, ensuring better access to the internet, and offering finance programs for tech entrepreneurs. 

A key focus is on the use of VR/AR in healthcare, education, and tourism to serve Nigerians more effectively. By laying the foundation for an inclusive digital revolution, the government aims to harness Nigeria’s young, tech-savvy population for future growth.

Companies like Imisi 3D and Quadron Studios are building the groundwork for a digital economy that blends creativity with technology. Simultaneously, government initiatives aim to create an enabling environment where these businesses can thrive.

The metaverse represents an opportunity for Nigeria to leapfrog traditional economic models and embrace a new era of digital innovation.

With sustained investments in infrastructure and education, Nigeria could become a key player in the global metaverse ecosystem. By fostering immersive virtual environments, the country is charting a course for a digital revolution that promises to reshape industries, unleash creativity, and drive economic growth in the coming years.

The concept of the metaverse, an immersive virtual world powered by VR and AR, has evolved significantly, particularly since the 2020s, with key investments and technological advancements, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Originating from Neal Stephenson's 1992 novel "Snow Crash," the metaverse has become the next Internet evolution, spurred by online gaming, AI, and digital currencies. Meta, Facebook's parent company, has invested $46 billion, and the market attracted over $120 billion in 2022. McKinsey & Company projects its value could reach $5 trillion by 2030.

In Africa, particularly Nigeria, there's a growing interest in cryptocurrency and Web 3, leading to the establishment of startups like Imisi 3D and Quadron Studios, which advance digital lifestyles and creativity integration. Imisi 3D focuses on engaging, interactive learning through VR, while Quadron aims to provide a virtual gallery for Nigerian art, integrating storytelling with technology. The Nigerian government has implemented policies to enhance VR/AR technologies, targeting various sectors, including education and healthcare, and fostering a digital economy conducive to innovation.

This strategic approach positions Nigeria to harness its tech-savvy population and potential in the metaverse ecosystem, leveraging infrastructure investments to drive a digital revolution, reshape industries, unleash creativity, and stimulate economic growth.

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