The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) was established through the National Lottery Act, 2005. The Commission was primarily born out of the need to regulate the operations of lottery business in Nigeria, promote transparency and accountability in lottery industry while protecting the interests of players, stakeholders and the general public.
Though established in 2005, the National Lottery Regulatory Commission was scarcely known until 2009. It sat on a small space on the 5th floor, Block C, Phase II of the Federal Secretariat, Abuja.
Mr. Peter Igho (MFR), took up the mantle of leadership of the Commission in 2009 and his first assignment was to sensitize the public about lottery and its opportunities and benefits to the Nigerian economy. He also tackled the accommodation problem that the Commission faced. As Director General, Igho succeeded in both challenges as he enhanced the public view on lottery and moved the Commission to the 1st and 4th floors of the Merit House, Maitama Abuja. In 2013, Igho successfully moved the Commission into a two story building in Jabi District.
The next Director-General Mr. Adolphus Joe Ekpe (2014-2016) , a Nigerian Stock Exchange guru who was a principal officer responsible for the automation of the activities and workflow of the Nigerian Stock Exchange in Port-Harcourt. He replicated that achievement at the Commission with the take-off of our Automation process which was set to ease transactions and increase revenue for the commission.
Functions of the Commission
- Regulate the operation and business of the national lottery in Nigeria;
- In collaboration with the licensee, set standards, guidelines and rules for the operation of national lottery in Nigeria;
- Promote transparency, propriety and integrity in the operation of national lottery in Nigeria;
- Ensure the protection of the interests of players, stakeholders and the public in the national lottery;
- Carry out a periodic assessment of the operation of national lottery in Nigeria and submit a report to the President and the National Assembly; and
- Perform such other duties as may be directed by the President, from time to time, and as are necessary or expedient to ensure the efficient performance of the functions of the Commission under this Act.
For more info, visit www.nlrc.gov.ng