In Lagos, Nigeria, Sodiq Taiwo watches children playing “police and thief” outside his window, while waiting for Grand Theft Auto V (GTA) Online to finish installing on his computer. He had discovered a TikTok video by Nigerian video game streamer TacticalCeza earlier that day, sparking his interest in GTA roleplay. Ceza, with his popular TikTok account and YouTube tutorials, immerses himself in the “Made in Lagos” Roleplay community server, acting as a Nigerian police officer in the virtual world. Taiwo, who had just experienced a routine encounter with armed Nigerian police, finds the roleplay hitting close to home. The children’s innocent games reflect a harsher reality of police harassment in Nigeria, culminating in the #EndSARS protests in 2020.
Ceza uses gaming as a medium to share and comment on the common struggles faced by Nigerians, drawing from personal experiences and online stories. His blend of social commentary and gaming has earned him popularity, though not without controversy. Through satire, Ceza sheds light on issues of abuse of power in Nigeria, aiming to educate and reassure his audience. Gaming, as a form of activism, allows Nigerians to confront real-world issues like police brutality and systemic profiling, mirroring global trends where virtual spaces are used to amplify messages for change.
As the gaming industry continues to grow globally, Nigeria’s emerging gaming scene signals its increasing cultural relevance. Gaming, like other storytelling mediums in Nigeria such as music and film, serves as a tool for resistance and critique. Ceza’s work aligns with this tradition, using GTA roleplay to highlight everyday injustices and provoke reflection. Through deep playfulness and irony, Ceza and other Nigerian gamers challenge societal norms and empower communities to envision change in a complex and absurd world.