Edo State Launches Gaming & Lottery Regulatory Commission with Ex-Speaker Frank Okiye as Chairman

Edo State in Nigeria has officially established a new Gaming and Lottery Regulatory Commission to regulate lottery and gaming operations across the state and boost internally generated revenue. Former Speaker of the State House of Assembly Frank Okiye has been appointed the pioneer chairman of the body.

The creation of the commission was confirmed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Musa Okhilor, following approval by Governor Monday Okpebholo in late September 2025. The SSG stated that the commission is “the central regulatory body for all lottery, gaming and related activities within Edo State.” 

The five-member board includes Chairman Frank Okiye and members Dandy Imoukhuede Oserei, Elvis Uadiale, Ndidi Aghimien, and Secretary Habibat Yakubu. Their remit includes developing the legal and institutional framework for gaming regulation, safeguarding the interests of participants and the public, enforcing transparency and accountability, and generating revenue for the state through licensing and supervision of gaming operators.

Governor Okpebholo emphasised that the new commission forms part of the state’s broader revenue diversification strategy. The supplementary budget approved for 2025 in Edo includes expanded capital expenditure and provisions for infrastructure, with the gaming commission highlighted as a revenue-bearing initiative.

Industry watchers say the move reflects growing recognition at sub-national level in Nigeria of the economic potential of regulated gaming. Properly structured, the commission could bring new jobs, formalise informal gambling operations, and increase state revenues. However, success will depend on effective enforcement, the licensing regime, and robust regulatory oversight.