By Ado Salisu
The 2026 West Africa University Games (WAUG) officially opened Saturday, at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, with a colourful parade of delegations, cultural performances and the lighting of the Games flame.
The opening ceremony brought together university leaders, sports administrators, athletes and officials for the regional Games themed “Uniting Universities, Inspiring Excellence.”
The games is starting from 2–12 October 2026, WAUG 2026 features 50 universities from across West Africa, with more than 2,500 athletes and officials competing across 18 sports.
The Nigerian universities were represented at the Games include; University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), University of Ibadan (UI), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Delta State University (DELSU), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Lead City University (LCU), University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) and Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO)
The ceremony also celebrated the rich cultural heritage of Ile-Ife, with traditional performances and the unveiling of the Games mascot, Ori-Olokun, inspired by symbols of the host city’s Yoruba heritage.
The lighting of the Games flame and athletes’ oaths marked the official beginning of competition, as participating universities now turn their attention to sporting excellence across the 18 disciplines.
As Nigerian universities join institutions from across West Africa, WAUG 2026 provides another platform for student-athletes to compete, connect, exchange experiences and strengthen regional friendships through university sports.
