Lagos-based Maliyo Games, a trailblazer in the African mobile gaming sector, has officially opened applications for the 2026 edition of its highly anticipated Junior Internship Programme. Designed specifically for young minds aged 10 to 14, this unique initiative provides an immersive, hands-on opportunity for pre-teens and early teens to explore the internal mechanics of a professional game studio.
The program serves as a critical early pipeline for local talent, shifting the paradigm for young Africans from passive consumers of technology to active creators. Over the course of two intensive weeks, selected participants will step behind the scenes to learn how concepts evolve from simple ideas into playable prototypes.
The Vision: Democratizing Game Creation for the Next Generation
For over a decade, Maliyo Games has committed itself to building culturally rich mobile experiences for audiences across the continent and globally. Through its standard talent initiatives like GameUp Africa, the studio has successfully upskilled thousands of adult developers. However, the Junior Internship focuses entirely on intermediate youth who possess a natural curiosity for digital play but lack a structured gateway into the industry.
“At Maliyo Games, we believe in nurturing young African talent by introducing them to the exciting world of game development,” the studio shared in its official program announcement. The core philosophy relies on breaking down intimidating entry barriers. Rather than forcing complex programming logic or advanced software engines onto beginners, the curriculum relies heavily on accessible, highly creative fundamental techniques.
The primary medium of instruction during the two-week program is the development of paper prototypes. By focusing on physical drawings, card cutouts, and oral storytelling, junior interns learn to establish core game mechanics, character balance, and rules without needing a single line of code. This structural framework allows children to sharpen their design thinking and logical problem-solving skills before dealing with the frustration of syntax or software bugs.
Program Structure and Core Learning Pillars
The internship is intentionally designed to simulate a professional studio workflow while remaining fun, collaborative, and entirely age-appropriate. Maliyo Games centers the curriculum on three core interactive pillars:
- Learn, Play, and Make Games: Interns don’t just study theoretical principles; they actively dissect existing game systems. They are given the creative freedom to pitch their own concepts, build analog systems around those ideas, and iterate based on direct feedback.
- Soft Skill Cultivation: Game development is inherently multidisciplinary. The program groups participants into small development teams, forcing them to learn peer negotiation, collaborative brainstorming, and collective creative compromise.
- Real Studio Exposure: Operating inside an active development space gives these young creators direct visibility into the daily routines of professional engineers, UI/UX designers, and 3D concept artists.
According to studio feedback from previous iterations, the psychological impact of this exposure is massive. “Last year, we watched young creators step into the Maliyo studio with curiosity and walk out with confidence, creativity, and a whole new appreciation for game development,” the studio noted.
Key Timelines and Operational Roadmap
Maliyo Games has outlined a clear screening process to select the final cohort. Because the studio environment requires close tracking and direct mentorship, available slots remain highly competitive. Parents and guardians should carefully keep track of the upcoming deadlines.
The application window is currently active, and the portal will remain open throughout the month until applications officially close on 30th June 2026. Following the screening, shortlisting, and interview phases, the chosen cohort will head into the studio for the main event.
The entire physical immersive programme is scheduled to run from 20th – 31st July 2026 at the Maliyo Games studio in Lagos. While applications are accepted from families residing outside Lagos state, parents must guarantee that the participant will be fully resident in Lagos for the duration of the physical two-week commitment in July if accepted into the program.
Accessibility, Guidelines, and How to Apply
In a move to ensure the tech ecosystem remains truly equitable and merit-based, Maliyo Games has explicitly confirmed that there are no application or participation fees associated with the program. The initiative is entirely free, requiring only a committed interest, a curious mindset, and reliable transportation to the studio.
The application process is entirely decentralized and digital. Parents interested in registering their children must complete an individual application profile for each participant. If multiple children within the same household fall within the 10-14 age bracket, separate profiles must be created, as each candidate is evaluated independently on their own creative merit during the screening phase. For older teens aged 15 and above who missed the junior cut-off, Maliyo Games recommends exploring their advanced virtual bootcamps under the GameUp Africa umbrella.
Applications can be submitted here before the strict June 30th portal closure deadline. Shortlisted candidates will be reached out to directly via email with precise instructions regarding the next selection steps.