Gamsole Founder Abiola Olaniran Dies at 36: Nigeria Mourns a Tech Pioneer and Gaming Visionary
Abiola Olaniran, founder of Gamsole and one of the most influential figures in Africa’s mobile gaming and tech startup ecosystem, has died. He passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at the age of 36, according to reports. The cause of death remains unclear, but sources confirm he was buried the same day in a private ceremony.
Olaniran’s death has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s tech community, where he was widely celebrated for his innovative spirit, mentorship, and early contributions to mobile game development on the continent.
From Imagine Cup to Gamsole: A Legacy of African Innovation
A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Olaniran gained national and international recognition after winning the Microsoft Imagine Cup in Poland in 2010, where he represented Nigeria in a global technology competition that spotlighted future leaders in innovation.
He used that momentum to launch Gamsole in 2012, a Lagos-based mobile game development company that rapidly became one of Africa’s most successful gaming startups. By 2015, Gamsole had surpassed 10 million game downloads, demonstrating the commercial potential of African-made games.
In 2016, Gamsole partnered with MTN Nigeria to launch Gidi Run, a location-based runner game that set a new benchmark in localisation and mobile monetisation strategies tailored for African users.
A Broader Impact Beyond Gaming
Olaniran’s influence extended far beyond game development:
- In 2015, he was named to Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list and was also listed among the 30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs in Africa by Forbes in 2016.
- He became an early backer of Techpoint Africa, now one of the continent’s leading tech publications.
- From 2020 to 2022, he served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at eLimu, a Kenyan ed-tech company, where he spearheaded the redesign of its mobile learning platforms.
Mentor, Innovator, and Humble Leader
Despite his accolades, Abiola Olaniran remained humble and soft-spoken, known more for his quiet guidance than public spotlight. He mentored dozens of emerging game developers and tech founders across Africa, offering career-shaping advice and hands-on technical support.
His LinkedIn profile simply described him as an “experienced Unity3D developer with a track record of creating and publishing games across platforms,” reflecting his grounded and focused approach. He had over 500 professional connections and 5,000 followers, many of whom regularly engaged with his thoughtful posts celebrating the achievements of other African tech professionals.
A Loss for Nigeria’s Tech Community
Olaniran is survived by his family, close friends, and a generation of African developers who viewed him as a trailblazer, proof that global-scale innovation can be born in Africa. “Abiola showed us that we could dream bigger and build from anywhere,” said a colleague in the Nigerian tech space.
Key Highlights of Abiola Olaniran’s Legacy
- Founder of Gamsole, Africa’s early mobile gaming success story
- Winner of the 2010 Microsoft Imagine Cup
- Recognised by Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30
- Early investor in Techpoint Africa
- Former CTO of Kenya’s eLimu edtech startup
- Mentored numerous African game developers and startup founders
