Chinedu Okafor
As the 27th edition of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) draws near at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) from November 5 to 15, 2025, the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) sports contingent is gearing up with renewed confidence as 83 of its athletes prepare to make a strong impact on the national stage.
The university earned its qualification after an impressive outing at the PRE- NUGA Zone D Preliminaries hosted by Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), from September 18 to 21, 2025.
FUOYE participated in a wide range of sports, including Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Chess, Football, Handball, Judo, Karate, Scrabble, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, and Volleyball.
During the four-day competition, FUOYE athletes displayed exceptional performance and sportsmanship, recording remarkable results in Athletics, Swimming, Judo, and Taekwondo. Notably, this event marked a milestone for the university, as it became the first time FUOYE qualified in swimming, tennis, and table tennis—signifying a major leap in the institution’s sporting development.
A total of 83 FUOYE athletes secured qualification for the main NUGA Games. They include 25 participants in Athletics, 2 in Boxing, 22 in Female Football, 1 in Judo, 15 in Scrabble, 7 in Swimming, 3 in Table Tennis, 7 in Taekwondo, and 1 in Tennis. This strong representation reflects the growing commitment of FUOYE to nurturing sports talent alongside academic excellence.
The Head of the Sports Unit, Mr. Christopher Obajaja, commended the university management for its unwavering support while calling for more investment in sports facilities and technical expertise. He emphasized that improved infrastructure would enable FUOYE to perform even better in future competitions. “Every institution has this sense of urgency whenever they are paired with FUOYE,” he noted. “If we had all the facilities we needed, FUOYE would remain formidable and unbeatable in most games, and the university’s name would echo globally.”
Mr. Obajaja further stated that the dedication and passion displayed by FUOYE athletes at the Pre-NUGA preliminaries are proof that the university can compete favorably with other leading institutions in Nigeria. He expressed optimism that the team will not only participate but also make a significant mark at the forthcoming NUGA Games in Jos.
As preparations continue, the qualified athletes are currently in intensive training across various sporting units to sharpen their skills and strengthen their competitiveness. The focus, according to the Sports Unit, is to maintain fitness, improve teamwork, and strategize for better results during the national event.
Meanwhile, FUOYE has also been selected to compete in the maiden edition of the Moniepoint 5-A-Side “Monie Ball” Tournament, a national football event designed to promote sportsmanship among Nigerian universities and International
Sponsored by Moniepoint Nigeria, a leading financial technology company providing digital banking and payment solutions, the competition will run from October 8 to 31, 2025.
The tournament features eight universities grouped into two categories. FUOYE, drawn in Group B, will battle against the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akingba (AAUA), the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), and University of Ibadan (UI), which serves as the group’s host as from the 15th of October, 2025. The games will follow a round-robin group stage, progressing to knockout semifinals, and culminating in the third-place and Finals matches.
With these back-to-back sporting engagements, FUOYE continues to assert its presence as one of Nigeria’s rising powerhouses in university sports. The university community remains hopeful that the athletes will bring glory home from both the NUGA Games in Jos and the Monie Ball Tournament, further solidifying FUOYE’s reputation for excellence in both academics and sports.
Photo Credit: IramoneyShotIt
