Two years ago, Nigeria's Supreme Court said that states, not the federal government, control lotteries. Now the states say a new set of federal rules is trying to take some of that power back.
What started the fight
On 30 September 2026, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) published draft Sales Promotion (Amended) Regulations, 2026. The rules update the 2005 rules on sales promotions, the prize draws and competitions that companies run to sell more products. They also change the fees companies pay to notify the FCCPC. The public had until 20 October to send comments.
On 21 October, the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGRN) said parts of the draft go too far.
What the states don't like
The statement was signed by Olajide Boladuro, head of the Oyo State Lottery and Gaming Board and vice-chairman of the FSGRN. The federation says the draft would give federal agencies the power to license, approve and supervise promotional lotteries and games of chance.
One rule says that any promotion that counts as a lottery under the National Lottery Act 2005 must follow that Act and get approval from the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC). The states want these references removed.
Their reason is simple. On 22 November 2024, the Supreme Court struck down the National Lottery Act as far as it applied inside the states. Lotteries and gaming became state matters. Since then, the NLRC only regulates the Federal Capital Territory.
The FSGRN agrees that the FCCPC should protect consumers who take part in promotions. But it says that licensing and controlling the lottery itself belongs to state gaming boards.
Why it matters
For companies, this is about who they need permission from. A brand that runs a prize draw in Lagos or Oyo could end up dealing with a state board and a federal agency for the same promotion. More approvals mean more fees and slower launches.
It is also the second time in a short period that federal rules have been accused of reaching into gaming. A Central Gaming Bill passed by the National Assembly in 2025 was never signed by the President.
The FCCPC has not yet published a final version of the rules. For a full picture of who controls gaming today, read our guide on who regulates betting in Nigeria in 2026.
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Sources
Sources last checked on 26 October 2026. Gambling is for adults only (18+).
