Nigerian University Games Association


The Nigerian University Games Association organizes university-level sports events in Nigeria. It hosts an interuniversity sports competition called the University Games. The first NUGA games were held at the University of Ibadan in 1966. 36 Nigerian universities are members.
NUGA approves fifteen different sporting events at the University Games: track and field, badminton, basketball, chess, cricket, handball, hockey, judo, soccer, squash, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, and volleyball.
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History

NUGA was founded in 1966 at the University of Ibadan following the first West African University Games in Ibadan in 1965.
In 1966, the first Nigerian University Games was held at the University of Ibadan the five Universities in Nigeria at that time namely: University of Ife, Ile-Ife; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Lagos, Akoka and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Presently, there are over eighty Universities as members of NUGA and this cut across private and public owned.
At the beginning, only very few sports were involved but the number of sports have over time grown to Eighteen namely: Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Chess, Cricket, E-sport, Football, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Karate, Scrabble, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis and Volleyball.
Over the years, many University athletes have represented Nigeria at various international competitions like the Commonwealth and Olympic Games. Some of the notable ones include Seyi Olofinjana, Vincent Enyeama, Bisi Afoloabi, Olumide Oyedeji, Chika Chukwumerije and Olusoji Fasuba, who is the current African record holder in 100 metres with a time of 9.85 seconds.
It is pertinent to add that many more University athletes have turned professional after completing their University education.
In 1970, NUGA became a member of the World Federation of University Games, and in 1974 was a founding member of the All Africa University Games Association.

Winners by medals table

The number of gold medals won in the competition are written in parentheses.
YearHostChampionsRunners-upThird placeFourth place
2025 University of JosBenson Idahosa University University of Jos University of Benin Delta State University, Abraka
2022 University of LagosUniversity of Port Harcourt University of Lagos Nile University of Nigeria Ignatius Ajuru University of Education
2017 University of Agriculture, MakurdiUniversity of Port Harcourt Ahmadu Bello University Benson Idahosa University University of Lagos
2014 Obafemi Awolowo UniversityUniversity of Port Harcourt University of Lagos Obafemi Awolowo University Ahmadu Bello University
2011 University of BeninUniversity of Port Harcourt University of Nigeria Obafemi Awolowo University University of Benin
2009 University of Nigeria Nsukka
2007 University of Maiduguri
2004 University of Port Harcourt
2002 University of Ibadan
2001 Ahmadu Bello UniversityAhmadu Bello University University of Port Harcourt University of Ibadan University of Benin
1998 University of Lagos
1997 Bayero University Kano
1994 Bayero University Kano
1992 University of Ilorin
1990 University of Calabar
1988 University of Port Harcourt
1986 University of Ibadan
1984 Obafemi Awolowo University
1982 Ahmadu Bello University
1980 University of Benin
1978 University of Lagos
1976 University of Ibadan
1974 University of Nigeria Nsukka
1972 Ahmadu Bello University
1970 Obafemi Awolowo University
1968 University of Lagos
1966 University of Ibadan