The 27th edition of the Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) came to a colourful close at the University of Jos, with the Acting NUGA President, Dr. Ajibua Michael Alayode, delivering a reflective and heartfelt address that captured the spirit, challenges, and triumphs of the 2025 games. His speech paid glowing tribute to the host institution, the athletes, and the community that powered the competition from start to finish.
Dr. Alayode began by expressing profound appreciation to the Council and management of the University of Jos for accepting the responsibility of hosting a sporting event of such magnitude. He noted that the successful execution of the competition stood as proof of the university’s organizational strength, resilience, and commitment to national unity through sports.
He extended his gratitude to the students of UNIJOS, whom he described as gracious and energetic hosts. According to him, the hospitality shown by the student community created a welcoming atmosphere that helped athletes, officials, and visitors feel at home throughout the tournament. He commended them for embracing the spirit of the games “with generosity in hosting and in cheering.”
The Acting President remarked that the University of Jos had “danced credibly well” in its role as host, demonstrating discipline, fairness, and adherence to standards across all sporting engagements. Despite the challenges that accompany such a large multisport event, Dr. Alayode noted that the university delivered professionally, conscientiously following all rules and expectations set by NUGA.
He highlighted that the 27th edition featured 23 different sports, bringing together thousands of students from institutions across the country. According to him, this diversity showcased not only athletic talent but also cultural richness, institutional pride, and cross-campus unity. The scale of participation also reflects NUGA’s expanding influence within the Nigerian university system.
In his speech, Dr. Alayode made a brief comparison to the previous edition hosted by the University of Lagos in 2022, acknowledging the continuous evolution of the games while reminding the audience that each host brings a unique flavour and identity to the competition. He emphasized that UNIJOS has raised the bar even higher with the execution of the 2025 event.
Reflecting on the competition days, he stated that the athletes had undergone a variety of tests of skill, strength, endurance, strategy, teamwork, and emotional resilience. He explained that NUGA was not merely about winning medals, but about challenging personal limits, building discipline, and celebrating healthy competition among Nigerian youths.
Dr. Alayode also emphasized the intangible gains of the games, noting that friendships formed during the tournament would “last for life.” According to him, shared victories, defeats, struggles, and celebrations had created bonds that transcend institutional differences and would remain strong long after the closing ceremony.
He praised the courage displayed by athletes who gave their all in their respective events, saluting the bravery shown on the courts, tracks, fields, pools, and arenas. He mentioned that the tournament had revealed inspiring stories of perseverance, as many students fought through pressure, fatigue, or injury to represent their universities with honour.
The Acting President highlighted teamwork as one of the most noticeable features of the event. He explained that beyond individual brilliance, the games showcased the power of unity whether in relay teams, combined sports, or team events such as football, basketball, volleyball, and hockey. He noted that such collaboration reinforces the values of cooperation and mutual support that university sports aim to foster.
He further referenced what he described as “therapy” witnessed during the games, explaining that sports once again proved to be a form of healing, stress relief, and emotional renewal for many students. According to him, the competition gave young people a platform to express themselves, find joy, and momentarily escape academic pressures.
As he neared the end of his address, Dr. Alayode congratulated all participating institutions for contributing to the success of the 27th NUGA Games. He emphasized that irrespective of medal positions, every athlete had achieved something significant through participation, dedicating themselves to training, discipline, and fair play.
In a moment of anticipation and excitement, the Acting NUGA President announced that the next edition of the Nigeria University Games will be hosted by the University of Calabar (UNICAL). The revelation was met with cheers as delegates recalled the strong hosting performance of UNICAL in 2026 and looked forward to what promises to be another groundbreaking event.
Dr. Alayode concluded by thanking everyone who played a part in delivering the 2025 games from officials to volunteers, coaches, medical teams, and security personnel. He expressed optimism that the legacy of the UNIJOS-hosted NUGA would endure, inspiring future editions and strengthening university sports across Nigeria.
