As the 27th edition of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) approaches, the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) is set to make a strong impression with a team of 83 athletes gearing up to represent the institution at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) from November 5 to 15, 2025. The university’s contingent is entering the competition with renewed determination and confidence after an impressive performance at the preliminary stage.
FUOYE earned its qualification following an outstanding showing at the Pre-NUGA Zone D Preliminaries hosted by Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) between September 18 and 21, 2025. During the four-day event, the university’s athletes showcased exceptional skill, discipline, and teamwork across multiple sporting categories.
The institution participated in a broad range of sports, including Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Chess, Football, Handball, Judo, Karate, Scrabble, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, and Volleyball. FUOYE’s athletes made remarkable strides in Athletics, Swimming, Judo, and Taekwondo, recording outstanding results that secured their slots for the upcoming national competition.
This year’s outing was particularly significant for FUOYE, as it marked the first time the university qualified in Swimming, Tennis, and Table Tennis, symbolizing a major leap in its sports development agenda. The expansion into new sporting territories underscores FUOYE’s growing commitment to developing a well-rounded student community where sports complement academic excellence.
A detailed breakdown of the qualifiers shows that FUOYE will field 25 participants in Athletics, 2 in Boxing, 22 in Female Football, 1 in Judo, 15 in Scrabble, 7 in Swimming, 3 in Table Tennis, 7 in Taekwondo, and 1 in Tennis. This strong representation reflects years of strategic investment in sports development and athlete grooming within the university.
The Head of the Sports Unit, Mr. Christopher Obajaja, praised the university’s management for its continued encouragement and logistical support to the athletes. He noted that FUOYE’s growing reputation as a formidable sporting institution was due to the administration’s belief in the power of sports to build leadership, teamwork, and resilience among students.
“Every institution has this sense of urgency whenever they are paired with FUOYE,” Mr. Obajaja said. “If we had all the facilities we needed, FUOYE would remain formidable and unbeatable in most games, and the university’s name would echo globally.” He also called for more investment in sports infrastructure, equipment, and technical expertise to enable the university to compete favorably with Nigeria’s top-performing institutions.
Mr. Obajaja further expressed optimism that FUOYE’s athletes would not only participate but also excel at the forthcoming NUGA Games. He said the team’s unity, discipline, and determination were clear indicators that they could make a major impact on the national stage. According to him, the university’s sports culture has evolved into a model for other institutions to emulate.
In preparation for the competition, the athletes are currently undergoing intensive training across various sporting units. Coaches are focusing on refining skills, enhancing physical fitness, building teamwork, and improving strategic execution ahead of the national tournament. The atmosphere in FUOYE’s training camp remains upbeat, as the students prepare to represent the institution with pride and excellence.
Beyond the NUGA Games, FUOYE has also been selected to compete in the maiden edition of the Moniepoint 5-A-Side “Monie Ball” Tournament, a national university football competition designed to promote sportsmanship and healthy rivalry among Nigerian tertiary institutions. The tournament, sponsored by Moniepoint Nigeria, a leading fintech company, runs from October 8 to 31, 2025.
The competition features eight universities, divided into two groups. FUOYE, placed in Group B, will face Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba (AAUA), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), and University of Ibadan (UI), which serves as the host. The matches will begin on October 15, 2025, following a round-robin format before advancing to the knockout semifinals and the final stages.
With these consecutive high-profile engagements, FUOYE continues to assert itself as one of Nigeria’s emerging powerhouses in university sports. The university community remains hopeful that the athletes will bring home medals and national recognition from both the NUGA Games in Jos and the Monie Ball Tournament, further strengthening FUOYE’s growing legacy of excellence in both academics and athletics.
