UNILAG to complete 240-bed hostel for student-athletes by Q4 2026

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has announced plans to complete a 240-bed hostel for student-athletes by the fourth quarter of 2026, an important step towards improving the welfare and accommodation of athletes representing the institution.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, disclosed this during a meet and greet session with the UNILAG contingent of athletes and officials representing the university at the 27th Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Games in Jos, Plateau State.

Ogunsola acknowledged the challenges posed by rising accommodation costs and broader economic pressures on students, reaffirming UNILAG’s commitment to supporting the holistic development of its student-athletes.

Challenges at NUGA 2025

Presenting a detailed report, Professor Alabi Sebili Soneye, Chairman of the UNILAG Sports Council, highlighted the logistical and administrative obstacles that affected the university’s performance in the 2025 Games.

It identified accreditation delays and registration bottlenecks within the NUGA web system as major setbacks, which led to several high-performance athletes being excluded despite full compliance during qualification.

Accommodation shortages also disrupted pre-Games training programs, while conflicts between academic schedules and training sessions further aggravated the team’s preparations.

From 440 to 50: a story of resilience

Of the 440 athletes initially registered, only 289 were authorized by the NUGA Technical Committee. Later accreditation issues reduced that number to 166, and after the Zone A preliminaries, only 53 athletes advanced to compete.

In the end, UNILAG fielded a determined team of 50 athletes and 20 officials, and embarked on a grueling 32-36 hour road trip to Jos. Despite the odds, his determination and sportsmanship earned widespread praise.

Medal count and ranking

At the close of the Games:

• Benson Idahosa University (BIU) emerged overall champion with 25 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze medals.
• The University of Jos (host) came second with 18 gold and 50 medals in total.
• The University of Benin finished third, winning 15 gold medals and 34 medals in total.

UNILAG athletes took home 22 medals in multiple disciplines, excelling in taekwondo, boxing and judo, areas where the university’s sports program continues to shine.

“The results underline the depth of talent within UNILAG, especially in combat and individual sports,” he noted.