Obafemi Awolowo University Prepares for 2026 WAUG as 16 Countries Confirm Participation

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, is ramping up preparations to host the 2026 West African University Games (WAUG), with officials confirming participation from 16 countries across the sub-region.

The development was disclosed during a high-level technical meeting held at the university secretariat, where members of the Local Organising Committee and representatives of the West African University Sports Federation assessed the institution’s readiness and expressed confidence in its preparations.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Prof. E.O. Akinfala, said the university is fully prepared to deliver a world-class sporting event, noting that key facility upgrades are already underway.

He explained that the main stadium bowl is currently undergoing re-grassing in preparation for the Games, while administrative and financial structures, including a dedicated WAUG account, have been established to ensure transparency in expenditure and operations.

Beyond field preparations, OAU is undertaking a broad renovation of sporting infrastructure across campus. The university’s swimming pool is being upgraded to Olympic standards, while work is ongoing on the hockey pitch, gymnasium, judo facilities, locker rooms, and other athlete support infrastructure ahead of technical inspections.

According to the organisers, all facilities will be subjected to full evaluation by the Technical Committee to ensure compliance with WAUG requirements and international standards before the commencement of the competition.

The planning committee is also working on competition formats, logistics coordination, and athlete participation projections. Pre-appraisal forms are expected to be circulated to participating universities in order to determine expected delegation sizes and finalize operational planning.

Publicity and engagement strategies have also begun, with plans to deploy billboards at strategic locations across Nigeria and border areas to increase awareness within the West African region. Emergency response agencies, including the Red Cross, are also being integrated into the event’s operational framework.

Prof. Akinfala expressed optimism that more detailed participation data will be available in the coming weeks as coordination with participating institutions intensifies. He added that operational readiness remains the top priority as the Games approach.

As OAU marks its 65th anniversary, the hosting of WAUG 2026 is being positioned not only as a sporting competition but also as a demonstration of institutional capacity and regional leadership in university sports.

With preparations advancing steadily, stakeholders say Ile-Ife is not just preparing to host the Games but to set a new benchmark for university sports in West Africa.