OAU Wins 2026 West African University Games with 122 Medals
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has emerged overall champion of the 15th West African University Games after winning 122 medals at the competition.
The host institution secured 33 gold, 50 silver and 39 bronze medals to finish ahead of the University of Ghana, which came second with 59 medals, comprising 26 gold, 21 silver and 12 bronze.
Benson Idahosa University finished third with 21 gold, 10 silver and seven bronze medals, while the University of Ibadan occupied fourth position with 17 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze medals.
The official medal table, released on the Games’ social media platforms on Sunday, ranked participating institutions according to the number of gold medals won, with silver and bronze medals considered where necessary.
Lagos State University finished fifth with 10 gold, four silver and three bronze medals, while Afe Babalola University came sixth with nine gold, 14 silver and 19 bronze medals.
Delta State University, Abraka, placed seventh with seven gold, two silver and two bronze medals, followed by the University of Ilorin, which won six gold, four silver and six bronze medals.
The University of Cape Coast and Nile University of Nigeria also recorded six gold medals each, finishing ninth and 10th respectively.
Other institutions on the medal table 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.
Osun State University won 16 medals, comprising six silver and 10 bronze, but failed to secure a gold medal. The University of Ilesa also recorded seven medals, made up of one silver and six bronze.
The 15th West African University Games, hosted by OAU, commenced on October 2 and was scheduled to end on October 12, 2026, with universities from across West Africa competing in different sporting events.
In a report published on its website on October 5, the university said 50 institutions were represented at the opening ceremony, with more than 1,500 athletes and officials expected to participate in 18 sports.
Speaking at the ceremony, OAU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, described the competition as an investment in young people.
“For OAU, the Games are an investment in the future of our youth,” Bamire said.
He expressed the hope that the facilities and systems developed for the competition would continue to benefit the university and its surrounding community after the event.
The President of the West African University Games, Ibrahim Tanko Shaibu, urged the athletes to give their best while respecting their fellow competitors and officials.
“Give your best, respect your opponents and officials,” Shaibu told the participants.
In a notice published on October 11, OAU said the closing ceremony would celebrate the achievements of participating institutions and athletes, as well as the spirit of fair play, resilience and friendship demonstrated throughout the competition.
OAU’s victory places the Ile-Ife based institution at the top of the regional university sports competition, ahead of its counterparts from Nigeria and other West African countries.
