Lagos, Nigeria – Abiola Olaniran, the soft-spoken tech wizard wey transform Nigeria gaming scene, don pass away for age 36. Dem confirm say e die on July 16, and his family carry bury am same day for private ceremony. No be small matter o! (E be like say wetin we dey hear for film don happen for real life.)
Abiola wey be founder of Gamsole, turn his passion for coding wey start for campus into one of Africa’s biggest mobile game brands. This guy wey shy pass rat, no dey like show face, but him résumé na serious gbas gbos for tech ecosystem. He lead him team from Obafemi Awolowo University win national competition for Microsoft Imagine Cup before him go on to establish Gamsole for Lagos in 2012.
Na for time wey Africa gaming scene dey almost dry, Abiola take bold step enter Windows Phone store, and he begin dey pump out colorful games wey plenty pipo sabi. By early 2015, Gamsole don hit 10 million downloads across Windows Phone, Android, and even feature phones. Na him put African gaming for global table. Talk about global impact no be joke o!
One of him greatest hits na Gidi Run wey dem launch with MTN as partnership, and na this game na liaize wey change the way dem dey monetize games for Africa. As if that one no finish, Forbes Africa go shower him accolades in 2015 when dem put am for their “30 Under 30” list alongside other tech chops like Mark Essien and Iyin Aboyeji. E no stop there; the following year, dem still recognize am as one of the “30 Most Promising Young African Entrepreneurs.”
People wey know am no go fit forget his quiet generosity. Na him be the first angel investor wey support Techpoint Africa when na small idea and worn-out notebook dey push us. Adewale Yusuf, wey be founder of Techpoint Africa, still dey talk how Abiola no wan spotlight, but only wan make progress for tech community. Na him also bring his expertise dey work for eLimu Kenya as Chief Technology Officer, where him manage to redesign the platform’s mobile apps to fit literacy and revision style. Talk about leaving legacy!
Abiola dey mentor young tech entrepreneurs and dey invest inside Africa’s tech ecosystem after e shift from Gamsole daily operations. Him impact no dey just stop for games; e don define wetin success go mean for many tech startups inside the continent, showing say with small resources, great things fit happen. E be say na 88mph accelerator program wey open road for am, but na him hustle carry am go the world. Wetin you go call that one? Classic!
As Techpoint Africa dey gather memories to celebrate Abiola Olaniran, we go remember am as the game developer wey turn passion to profit, and inspire many people with him kindness and creativity. Dis na true African hero wey don shine the light for others to follow. Na we go miss am, but him legacy go dey continue to dey inspire fret over palm wine.
