A Nigerian medical doctor-turned-software engineer, Dr Yerins Abraham, has attracted more than 17,700 players to Monkey Post, a browser-based football game inspired by the informal street matches that shaped the childhoods of many Nigerians.
Launched on October 6, the game recorded more than 14,000 players within its first 24 hours, drawing attention to the growing appetite for locally developed games built around familiar Nigerian experiences.
By midday on October 7, Monkey Post had recorded more than 11,600 matches, producing about 44,500 goals and over 16,900 penalties during shootouts. More than 3,900 players had returned for another game, according to figures provided by its creator.
The game recreates the familiar street-football setting in which children use slippers or stones to mark out goalposts, play on small pitches and settle disputes over whether the ball crossed the line.
Unlike conventional football games built around professional clubs, stadiums and licensed players, Monkey Post draws its appeal from the simplicity and familiarity of informal Nigerian football.
“Monkey Post is the street football almost every Nigerian kid played: tiny goals made from stones or slippers, five-a-side, and one ‘last man’ who can’t score from his own half,” Abraham said.
He said the idea came from a desire to build a game that reflected the environments and experiences he knew, rather than reproduce the format of established football titles.
“I’d been thinking about it for a while because I’d never seen a game that felt like our street,” he said.
Abraham said he wanted the game to capture details of everyday Nigerian life, including danfo buses, commercial motorcycles and familiar locations such as Ojuelegba and Surulere.
“I wanted danfos, okadas, Ojuelegba, and Surulere, and the way we actually played. So I built it,” he added.
One of Monkey Post’s biggest advantages is its accessibility. The game runs directly in a web browser, allowing users to play on their phones or computers without downloading an application.
About 87 per cent of its players access it through mobile phones, highlighting the importance of mobile-friendly gaming in a market where data costs, limited storage space and app-download requirements can discourage users.
“Data is expensive, storage is full on a lot of phones, and an app store download loses most people before they even play,” Abraham said.
He added that allowing users to open a link and start playing within seconds had helped lower the barrier to entry.
The browser-based format has also enabled Abraham to gather feedback directly from players and make changes quickly. More than 100 people have contacted him through the game with suggestions, some of which he said were implemented within hours.
Updates have included improved controls, better defensive mechanics, enhanced penalty shootouts and support for PS4 and Xbox controllers.
The game’s early reception comes amid growing interest in Nigerian-made digital entertainment, with developers increasingly drawing on local culture, language and everyday experiences to attract audiences.
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Monkey Post joins a growing collection of Nigerian-themed games, including Lagos Run and Lagos Life, which have also used familiar urban settings and local experiences to connect with players.
Abraham believes the growth of such games could signal the emergence of a more established Nigerian gaming industry.
“The talent has always been here. What’s changed is that tools are cheaper, distribution is a link on X or WhatsApp, and players are clearly hungry for games that look and sound like them,” he said.
He argued that cultural familiarity gives local developers an advantage because players can immediately recognise the settings, humour and experiences reflected in the games.
“Monkey Post doesn’t compete with FIFA. It’s the only game that’s about our street,” he said.
However, attracting players is only one part of building a sustainable gaming business. Abraham is exploring ways to generate revenue while keeping the core game free to play.
Potential options include branded teams and kits, sponsorships and optional cosmetic purchases such as customised outfits and goal celebrations.
Football academies, local teams and brands have expressed interest in having their identities represented in the game, while musicians have also shown interest in featuring their songs.
Abraham is also considering sponsored tournaments and community competitions as the game develops. A multiplayer feature that would allow users to challenge friends through room codes is nearing launch.
He said the game could eventually support paid competitions, although any entry fees would need to comply with relevant legal requirements.
The developer is also exploring partnerships with fintech companies to make payments for in-game purchases easier, identifying convenient local payment options as an important factor in the growth of Nigerian gaming businesses.
While advertising remains a possible source of income, Abraham said he was cautious about formats that could disrupt the experience, particularly betting-related promotions.
For now, his priorities include improving the game, introducing multiplayer functionality, adding more neighbourhoods and expanding the range of teams available.
Abraham hopes Monkey Post can eventually become the foundation for a studio dedicated to developing games based on Nigerian experiences that have received little attention in mainstream gaming.
“There are so many Nigerian experiences that have yet to be turned into games,” he said.
With more than 17,700 players recorded shortly after launch, Monkey Post offers an early indication of how local cultural experiences, accessible technology and social sharing can help Nigerian developers reach audiences without relying on traditional app-store distribution.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
