OAU Set to Host 2026 West Africa University Games; 16 Nations Confirm Participation

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has been officially selected as the host for the 2026 West Africa University Games (WAUG). The biennial multi-sport tournament, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026, marks the first time in over a decade that the institution will host a sub-regional event of this magnitude. 

With 16 nations already confirming their participation, the event is expected to draw over 3,500 athletes, coaches, and officials to the university’s historic campus.

A comprehensive assessment by the WAUG Inspection Committee has certified OAU’s readiness. The report lauded the university’s upgraded facilities, including the refurbished Sports Complex and Stadium, as well as its self-contained campus which offers a secure, walkable environment for participants. 

Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Professor E.O. Akinfala, emphasized that hosting 16 African nations presents a significant diplomatic and economic opportunity for the region. However, he noted that institutional funding alone would not suffice to deliver a "world-class event."

“We are inviting sponsors, advertisers, and partners to collaborate with us,” Prof. Akinfala stated. The LOC has opened various sponsorship tiers, ranging from Title Sponsors to Official Suppliers, offering brands high visibility across digital, print, and broadcast channels.

Confirmed countries include Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, and Togo, with two additional invited nations to be announced.

The university management assures that the 2026 WAUG will not only showcase sporting excellence but also highlight OAU’s unique architectural heritage and logistical capacity.