US varsity, Maliyo Games partner on AI skill development

Maliyo Games and Arizona State University, through its Endless Games and Learning Lab have partnered to accelerate workforce development in artificial intelligence (AI) and game development across Nigeria and other countries of the continent to boost their share of the continent’s $5billion market.

With scaling talent development across Africa at the centre, both institutions have set an ambitious target to train and certify 10,000 learners across Africa over the coming years, positioning the continent as a key player in the global gaming and digital content economy.

The demand for AI- literate, studio-ready talent continues to rise sharply.

The initiative was unveiled following a high-level engagement in Lagos, and establishes a structured framework for micro-credentialing, externships, and experiential learning, bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world production in the fast-growing interactive media industry.

At the heart of the partnership is a shared ambition to equip African youth with globally competitive, industry-ready skills, leveraging Maliyo Games’ deep understanding of local content ecosystems and Arizona State University’s leadership in digital learning innovation by building Africa’s next gen of digital creators.

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Speaking on the occasion, Founding Director of the Endless Games and Learning Lab at Arizona State University, Mark Olilla, said the event marked a new phase in game development.

 “This marks a new phase in game development, and we are genuinely excited to be building it with Maliyo Games and the GameUp Africa community,

“The talent we encountered here, the drive and creativity of these developers, confirmed everything we hoped this partnership could deliver. We are looking forward to what comes next,” Olilla said.

As micro-credentials driving real-world impact, the programme introduces a flexible, stackable micro-credential system, enabling participants to earn globally recognized certifications from Arizona State University while gaining hands-on experience in game development and AI.

Since its rollout in early 2026, the initiative has already delivered over 150 micro-credentials to the first cohort of graduates under Maliyo’s GameUp Africa programme, signaling early traction and scalability.

Commenting on the partnership, CEO of Maliyo Games, Hugo Obi, said: “This partnership reflects our commitment to building and nurturing talent within Africa’s growing gaming ecosystem.

“By combining structured learning, community, and access to tools, we are creating opportunities for young people to thrive in game development and beyond.”

Bridging education, industry, and innovation, beyond skills development, the collaboration represents a broader shift in how education and industry intersect in emerging markets.

By integrating externships, studio-based projects, and global certification frameworks, the initiative ensures that learning outcomes are directly aligned with market needs, closing long- standing gaps between training and employability.

The programme also strengthens U.S.–Nigeria educational exchange, reinforcing cross-border collaboration in high-growth digital sectors while positioning micro-credentials as a scalable alternative to traditional degree pathways.

For participants, the experience goes beyond certification. “I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with three different teams made up of talented developers, artists, and audio engineers from across Africa.

“Together, we worked on live service features and published games, which was incredibly rewarding. I’m proud to have earned a micro-credential and certification from Arizona State University,” Ibrahim Karl said.

Driving economic growth through creative technology, stakeholders say the partnership underscores the growing importance of gaming and interactive media as drivers of economic diversification, job creation, and digital exports in Africa.

With Nigeria’s large youth population and expanding digital economy, initiatives like this are expected to build local talent pipelines, enable global workforce participation, foster entrepreneurship and innovation, and strengthen Africa’s position in the global creative economy.

Industry observers describe the Maliyo–ASU collaboration as more than an academic alliance—it is a strategic bridge between continents, industries, and talent ecosystems, with implications for education, technology, and economic diplomacy.

As digital creativity becomes a central pillar of global growth, the partnership positions both Nigeria and the U.S at the forefront of future-focused workforce development and innovation.