Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has emerged as the overall champion of the 15th West African University Games (WAUG), winning 122 medals to finish ahead of the University of Ghana and other participating institutions.
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The host university secured 33 gold, 50 silver, and 39 bronze medals, according to the official medal table released on Sunday. The Games brought together universities from Nigeria and other West African countries to compete across several sporting events.
The University of Ghana finished second with 59 medals, comprising 26 gold, 21 silver and 12 bronze, while Benson Idahosa University came third with 38 medals, including 21 gold, 10 silver and seven bronze.
The University of Ibadan placed fourth after winning 42 medals, made up of 17 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze. Lagos State University occupied fifth position with 17 medals, including 10 gold, four silver and three bronze.
Afe Babalola University finished sixth with 42 medals, comprising nine gold, 14 silver and 19 bronze, while Delta State University, Abraka, placed seventh with 11 medals, including seven gold, two silver and two bronze.
The University of Ilorin and the University of Cape Coast finished eighth and ninth, respectively, with 16 medals each. Nile University of Nigeria completed the top 10 with nine medals, including six gold, one silver and two bronze.
Other participating institutions included Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, the University for Development Studies and the University of Abuja.
The University of Abuja secured one gold, six silver and six bronze medals, while Osun State University won 16 medals but did not secure a gold medal.
The Games were hosted by OAU in Ile-Ife from October 2 to 12, 2026, with more than 1,500 athletes and officials expected to participate across 18 sports.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, OAU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, described the competition as an investment in young people and said the infrastructure and systems developed for the event should continue to benefit the university community after the Games.
WAUG President Ibrahim Tanko Shaibu also urged athletes to compete with determination while respecting their opponents and officials.
The competition provided an opportunity for student-athletes from participating universities to demonstrate their sporting abilities, promote healthy competition and strengthen relationships among institutions across West Africa.
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