By John Dike, Osogbo
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has commenced hosting activities for the 15th edition of the West African University Games (WAUG) 2026.
The games officially opened on Saturday at the university’s Sports Complex, bringing together students and athletes from universities across Nigeria and other West African countries.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, OAU Pro-Chancellor, Ambassador Adejare Bello, expressed the university’s pride in hosting the prestigious inter-university sporting competition for the second time within three years.
Bello noted that OAU previously hosted the games in 2023, describing the institution’s selection to host the 2026 edition as another opportunity to showcase its sporting facilities, organisational capacity and hospitality.
“This is the 15th edition, and in the last 10 years, OAU has hosted it for the second time. The last time was in 2023 and now again in 2026,” he said.
The Pro-Chancellor assured participating institutions that the university had put necessary arrangements in place to ensure a successful and memorable competition.
He also emphasised the importance of physical exercise to students and members of the university community, stressing that academic pursuits should be complemented with regular physical activity.
According to him, students should not spend prolonged periods sitting without movement, as exercise contributes significantly to healthy living.
“It is not good to walk day and night without exercising your body. It is medically recommended that if you sit in a place for one or two hours, you have to move around and stretch your legs,” Bello said.
He added that regular physical activity, including walking, should be encouraged among students and staff despite the academic and research responsibilities of the university.
“Notwithstanding that we are here to learn and do research, we must be involved in exercise,” he added.
Universities participating in the 2026 WAUG include Afe Babalola University, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Lead City University, Osun State University and Plateau State University.
The competition also has participation from institutions in Ghana, including the University of Development Studies, University of Energy and Natural Resources, and the University of Ghana.
The hosting of WAUG 2026 further places OAU and Ile-Ife in the spotlight as a hub for university sports and regional academic interaction, with participating institutions expected to compete across various sporting events during the games.
