The 15th West African University Games (WAUG) has concluded in Ile-Ife, Osun State, with organisers saying sport can strengthen unity, friendship and excellence among university students across the region.
The 10-day competition, held from 2nd to the 12th of October 2026 at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), brought together about 50 universities from West Africa under the theme “Uniting Universities, Inspiring Excellence.” WAUG President Ibrahim Tanko said the Games gave athletes from different countries and institutions the chance to compete, build relationships and discover talent.
Tanko said the competition had showcased the sporting abilities of West African students through athletics, basketball, volleyball and other events. He described the Games as more than a contest for medals, arguing that the friendships and connections formed would be part of its lasting legacy.
“Today, as we prepare to depart, one thing is certain: we came as rivals, but we leave as friends,” Tanko said at the closing ceremony. He added that participants arrived representing different universities but departed as members of “one great West African family.”
Host institution OAU emerged as the overall champion of the 2026 Games. Benue State’s Rev. Father Moses Orshio Adasu University (MOAU), formerly Benue State University, celebrated an unprecedented sporting milestone by winning 10 medals in what it described as a historic outing.
The Games also produced strong performances from other institutions. Osun State University (UNIOSUN) won 16 medals and finished seventh among the 23 universities that participated.
The 2026 edition was significant because WAUG had been inactive for several years before efforts were made to revive it. Tanko said the Games were designed to foster collaboration and networking among universities across West Africa, not just sporting competition.
At the opening ceremony, he urged athletes to compete with ambition while respecting opponents and officials, and to use the gathering to exchange ideas and experiences. The Games brought together students from countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Sierra Leone, with 18 sporting events on the programme.
For organisers, WAUG 2026 demonstrated how sport can bring young people together across borders. By combining competition with cultural exchange and networking, the Games aim to strengthen relationships among universities and support the development of student-athletes across West Africa.
The challenge now is to sustain that momentum beyond Ile-Ife. If WAUG can build on the connections and talent discovered during the Games, it could become a stronger platform for unity and excellence in West African university sport.
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