ILE-IFE, Osun State — Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has emerged overall champion of the 15th West African University Games after winning 122 medals at the regional sporting competition hosted in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
According to the official medal table reported by PUNCH on Sunday, October 11, OAU secured 33 gold, 50 silver and 39 bronze medals to finish ahead of participating universities from Nigeria and other West African countries.
The University of Ghana finished second with 59 medals, comprising 26 gold, 21 silver and 12 bronze. Benson Idahosa University took third place with 38 medals, including 21 gold, 10 silver and seven bronze.
The results placed Nigerian universities prominently among the leading institutions, with OAU, Benson Idahosa University, the University of Ibadan and Lagos State University among the top five.
Full 2026 WAUG Medal Table
The following standings reproduce the medal counts published by PUNCH. Universities are ranked primarily by gold medals, with silver and bronze medals used to distinguish institutions where necessary. <Cite refs={[“turn528982news0”]}/>
| Rank | University | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obafemi Awolowo University | 33 | 50 | 39 | 122 |
| 2 | University of Ghana | 26 | 21 | 12 | 59 |
| 3 | Benson Idahosa University | 21 | 10 | 7 | 38 |
| 4 | University of Ibadan | 17 | 12 | 13 | 42 |
| 5 | Lagos State University | 10 | 4 | 3 | 17 |
| 6 | Afe Babalola University | 9 | 14 | 19 | 42 |
| 7 | Delta State University, Abraka | 7 | 2 | 2 | 11 |
| 8 | University of Ilorin | 6 | 4 | 6 | 16 |
| 9 | University of Cape Coast | 6 | 1 | 9 | 16 |
| 10 | Nile University of Nigeria | 6 | 1 | 2 | 9 |
| 11 | Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology | 5 | 4 | 3 | 12 |
| 12 | Ladoke Akintola University of Technology | 3 | 5 | 6 | 14 |
| 13 | Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 |
| 14 | University for Development Studies | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 15 | University of Abuja | 1 | 6 | 6 | 13 |
| 16 | University of Energy and Natural Resources | 1 | 2 | 7 | 10 |
| 17 | Federal University, Oye-Ekiti | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| 18 | Osun State University | 0 | 6 | 10 | 16 |
| 19 | Lead City University | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 19 | University of Ilesa | 0 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| 20 | Plateau State University | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 21 | Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| 22 | Federal University of Technology, Akure | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Note: The ranks and medal counts above follow the published report. The report assigns rank 19 to two institutions; readers should consult the official Games medal table for any subsequent corrections.
OAU Hosts Universities From Across West Africa
OAU formally opened the Games on October 3, following the start of competition on October 2. The event brought together 50 universities, with more than 1,500 athletes and officials expected to participate across 18 sporting disciplines.
The competition included sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, hockey and squash. The Games also provided opportunities for cultural exchange and interaction among students and university delegations from across the region. <Cite refs={[“turn528982search2”]}/>
OAU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, described the event as an investment in young people and expressed the university’s hope that the facilities and systems developed for the Games would continue benefiting the university community.
WAUG President Ibrahim Tanko Shaibu also encouraged athletes to compete with determination while respecting their opponents and officials. <Cite refs={[“turn528982search2”]}/>
Nigerian Universities Make Strong Showing
The leading positions of OAU and Benson Idahosa University highlighted the performance of Nigerian institutions in the competition. The University of Ibadan and Lagos State University also secured places among the top five.
The medal table further featured universities from Ghana, including the University of Ghana, University of Cape Coast, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and University for Development Studies.
The participation of institutions from different countries reflected the regional character of the Games and their role in promoting university sports, student development and cooperation.
Games Celebrate Sporting Excellence
The closing ceremony was scheduled for October 11 at OAU, bringing the competition towards its conclusion and celebrating the achievements of participating institutions and athletes. <Cite refs={[“turn528982search1”]}/>
For OAU, the overall victory added a sporting achievement to its role as host. For the participating universities, the Games provided a platform to showcase athletic talent, build relationships and compete for regional recognition.
The final medal standings place OAU at the top, followed by the University of Ghana and Benson Idahosa University, in a competition that brought together university communities from across West Africa.
