Colour, Cheers and Contradictions as 27th NUGA Games Begins

Participants jubilate during the opening of the 27th NUGA Games at UNIJOS

The University of Jos came alive on Saturday as the 27th edition of the Nigerian University Games (NUGA) officially kicked off amid music, colour, and fanfare, but not without signs of disorganisation and infrastructural lapses.
Students from over 70 universities marched around the UNIJOS stadium, dancing and chanting in their school colours to signal the start of the multi-sport event. The approved NUGA events include football, basketball, handball, volleyball, hockey, cricket, tennis, badminton, judo, swimming, athletics, squash, and chess.

Declaring the Games open, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, described NUGA as a symbol of Nigeria’s unity and youthful resilience. He urged participants to compete with integrity and fairness, warning against cheating and the use of performance-enhancing substances. Aiyedatiwa praised the University of Jos for “hosting a competition of this magnitude” and commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for its financial support in upgrading university sports facilities across the country.

However, the governor’s praise for UNIJOS’s preparation contrasted with the experiences of some athletes. Several competitors told Campulse news that accommodation conditions were below expectations, with some teams lodged in hotels outside campus due to insufficient or substandard hostels. Some sporting facilities, including basketball and volleyball courts, were still under renovation as of the time of the opening ceremony.

Vice-Chancellor of UNIJOS, Professor Tanko Ishaya, said hosting the Games reflected the university’s commitment to youth development and national unity. He disclosed that more than 10,000 athletes and officials from 74 universities and 15 observer institutions were participating in the event. “This year’s edition is particularly significant as it comes at a time when our nation needs the values that sports embody: resilience, teamwork, integrity, tolerance, and hope,” Ishaya said. “We have worked diligently to ensure the best NUGA in history, upgrading facilities to world-class standards.”

But on the ground, the reality appeared mixed. Overgrown weeds cluttered parts of the school, and some venues showed signs of last-minute fixes, while logistical arrangements lagged behind schedule.

NUGA President, Professor Bawa Mohammed, described the Games as a celebration of sportsmanship and national unity. “Together we can create something extraordinary,” he said, urging athletes to forge lasting friendships beyond competition.

As events roll out in the coming days across various venues in and outside Jos, the Games will test not only the athletes’ abilities but also UNIJOS’s promise to deliver a seamless tournament.