OAU Makes History, Wins West African University Games with 122 Medals

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has emerged champion of the 15th West African University Games, finishing first with 122 medals as the competition entered its final stages.

The host institution won 33 gold, 50 silver and 39 bronze medals to lead 22 other universities listed in the official standings released on Sunday.

The University of Ghana placed second with 59 medals, including 26 gold, 21 silver and 12 bronze, while Benson Idahosa University finished third with 38 medals, having secured 21 gold, 10 silver and seven bronze.

The University of Ibadan came fourth with 42 medals, including 17 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze. Lagos State University placed fifth after winning 10 gold, four silver and three bronze medals.

Afe Babalola University finished sixth with 42 medals, comprising nine gold, 14 silver and 19 bronze, while Delta State University, Abraka, ranked seventh with seven gold medals.

The standings were determined primarily by the number of gold medals won, with silver and bronze medals used as tie-breakers.

Other Nigerian institutions among the top 10 included the University of Ilorin in eighth place with six gold medals and Nile University of Nigeria in 10th place, also with six gold medals. The University of Cape Coast in Ghana finished ninth.

The Games, held from October 2 to 12 at OAU in Ile-Ife, Osun State, brought together universities from Nigeria and other West African countries for competitions across 18 sports.

In a report published on its website on October 5, OAU said the opening ceremony attracted representatives from 50 universities, with more than 1,500 athletes and officials expected to participate.

The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, said the event was intended to deliver benefits beyond the medals and sporting contests.

“For OAU, the Games are an investment in the future of our youth,” Bamire said, adding that the facilities and organisational systems developed for the competition were expected to continue serving the university community.

West African University Games President Ibrahim Tanko Shaibu also urged participants to uphold sportsmanship and respect their opponents and officials.

“Give your best, respect your opponents and officials,” Shaibu told the athletes, according to the university’s report.

In a separate announcement on October 11, OAU said the closing ceremony would celebrate athletes and participating institutions, with emphasis on fair play, resilience and friendship.

OAU’s performance at the competition placed it well ahead of its closest rivals on the medal table, while the Games also provided participating institutions with an opportunity to showcase student-athletes and strengthen sporting ties across the region.