The 27th edition of the Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA), held in Jos from November 6 to 16, 2025, has been described as the most successful in the competition’s 59-year history, recording unprecedented participation, new sporting innovations, and landmark achievements.
Hosted by the University of Jos, which received the hosting rights in 2022 after the last edition at the University of Lagos, this year’s games lived up to its theme, “Unite: Play in Peace.” The city of Jos welcomed contingents, officials, journalists, and observers from across the country for 10 days of intense and colourful sporting activities.
Unprecedented Participation
NUGA 2025 set a new record with over 73 universities competing, the highest since the games began in 1966. An additional 14 universities attended as observers. More than 23 sporting events were featured, surpassing the number staged at the 2022 Lagos edition.
BIU Makes Historic Breakthrough
In a major milestone, Benson Idahosa University (BIU) became the first private university to win the overall NUGA medal table since the inception of the games.
Bar. Oyekanmi Adewoye, Chairman of the Sports Unit at BIU, described the victory as historic.
“Benson Idahosa University is making history in Jos at the 27th edition of the NUGA Games. We are the first private university to win this competition since 1966. The university joined NUGA in 2004, and today we have written our names in gold,” he said.
Cash Prizes Introduced for Top Performers
For the first time, NUGA awarded cash prizes to the top three universities:
- ₦1 million – University of Benin (Second Runner-Up)
- ₦1.5 million – University of Jos (Runner-Up and Host)
- ₦2 million – Benson Idahosa University (Champion)
Organisers say the incentives are expected to build momentum and encourage even stronger preparation ahead of the next edition.
Hockey Unveils New 5-A-Side Format
A key highlight of NUGA 2025 was the demonstration of a proposed 5-a-side hockey format, aimed at reducing costs and widening participation.
Director of Hockey, Professor Rasheed Ojutikun, explained that the reform was prompted by declining participation driven by prohibitive equipment costs.
“Just a hockey stick costs at least ₦135,000. A goalkeeper’s kit is about ₦2.7 million to ₦2.8 million. Which university wants to invest that much for one gold medal?” he asked.
He said the new format, reducing team size from 11 to five would significantly cut costs and allow for an additional medal event.
“I’m happy that the NUGA Executive and Council accepted this as a demonstration. I thank all the technical officials who worked with us over the past ten days,” he added.
Baseball, Softball, Rugby Added to Event Lineup
NUGA 2025 also witnessed the introduction of softball, baseball, rugby, and other emerging sports.
Baseball coordinator, Uche Udozo, said the strategy is to “make baseball visible and playable anywhere,” adding that the sport is less capital-intensive and has strong potential to grow into a lifestyle for aspiring professionals.
He praised coaches and players for their resilience despite limited funding.
A New Phase for University Sports
Stakeholders say the successes recorded in Jos signal a new chapter for NUGA and university sports in Nigeria, particularly with the inclusion of new sporting categories, improved incentives, and reforms targeted at expanding access.
Observers note that the momentum generated in the 2025 edition could strengthen structures that position NUGA as a key pipeline for developing athletes who can compete nationally and internationally.
As teams depart Jos, many describe the 27th edition as a “turning point”, one that could redefine the future of Nigerian university sports for years to come.
