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The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has congratulated the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, following its emergence as the overall champion of the 15th West African University Games (WAUG).
Shaibu, in a congratulatory message released on Wednesday, praised the university for its impressive medal haul, attributing the achievement to hard work, discipline and unwavering commitment to sports development.
OUA topped the final medal table after securing 122 medals, including 33 gold, 50 silver and 39 bronze, defeating 22 other universities participating in the regional competition. Project reports
The victory highlighted the university’s performance during the games and strengthened its position as one of the institutions contributing to the development of competitive university sports in West Africa.
Shaibu praises OAU’s performance
The NIS boss described the OUA’s triumph as the product of the commitment and determination shown by its athletes throughout the competition.
He said the university’s achievements demonstrated the value of discipline and investment in sport, stressing that consistent support for athletes could produce results in major competitions.
According to Shaibu, the performance of the Ile-Ife-based institution should encourage other universities to strengthen their sports programs and provide opportunities for student-athletes to develop their skills.
He also congratulated the athletes, coaches and university officials whose contributions helped OUA secure the overall title.
The 122 medals won by the institution included 33 gold medals, which formed the basis of its successful campaign, along with 50 silver and 39 bronze medals.
Her performances placed her ahead of other participating institutions in a competition designed to bring together university athletes from across West Africa.
The University of Ghana comes second
The University of Ghana came second in the medal table after winning 59 medals, including 26 gold, 21 silver and 12 bronze.
The Ghanaian institution mounted a strong challenge for top position, but finished the competition behind OAU, who secured a further seven gold medals.
Shaibu also recognized the efforts of other participating universities, praising their athletes for the competitive spirit displayed during the games.
The participation of institutions from different parts of West Africa provided student-athletes with a platform to test their skills, compete for honors and gain experience against opponents from other universities.
The games also provided participating institutions the opportunity to evaluate their sports programs and identify areas that require further investment in training, coaching and athlete development.
NIS is committed to continuing to support college sports
Shaibu said the performances recorded by Nigerian universities during the competition offered encouragement for the future of the sport in the country.
He maintained that university sports remains an important avenue to identify and nurture athletes who could eventually represent Nigeria in national, continental and international competitions.
The NIS, he said, will continue to support college sports as part of broader efforts to discover talent and strengthen the country’s sports development structure.
His position reflects the importance of creating a pathway through which promising athletes can progress from school and university competitions to elite sports.
College competitions offer athletes the opportunity to combine education with competitive sport, gaining experience in organized events. They can also help coaches and sports administrators identify emerging talent who could benefit from more specialized training and development programs.
For Nigeria to maximize the potential of its collegiate athletes, continued attention to coaches, facilities, competition opportunities and institutional support remains important.
Shaibu’s praise of the OAU therefore went beyond the institution’s medal success, drawing attention to the role universities can play in building a stronger foundation for Nigerian sport.
FUTA ends up at the bottom
While OAU celebrated their overall title and the University of Ghana secured second place, the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), finished at the bottom of the final medal table.
The contrasting results highlighted the different levels of performance recorded by participating institutions during the competition.
For OUA, the achievement represented a major accomplishment for its student-athletes and its athletic program. For the broader college sports community, the games provided an opportunity to evaluate performance and consider how participation might translate into greater athletic development.
As the NIS continues to champion support for college sports, Shaibu’s message places an emphasis on talent discovery and the need to provide young athletes with platforms to compete and improve.
The 15th edition of the West African University Games brought together universities from across the region, reinforcing the role of inter-university competitions in promoting sporting excellence and student-athlete interaction.
OAU’s overall victory of 122 medals gave the Nigerian institution top position in the final rankings, while Shaibu’s congratulatory message underlined the importance of recognizing university achievements as part of the wider effort to develop sport in Nigeria.
