…7,457 Athletes Storm Jos for 10 Days of Sporting Fireworks
By Our Correspondent, Jos
The stage is set, the countdown has begun and the University of Jos (UNIJOS) is gearing up to make history as it hosts the 27th Nigerian University Games (NUGA) from November 6 to 16, 2025, in what promises to be the most electrifying edition yet.
With 7,457 accredited athletes and officials expected from universities across Nigeria, Jos is bracing for ten days of fierce competition, unity, and sporting brilliance.
According to Chidiebere Ezeani, Media and Communications Officer of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA), the 2025 edition will spotlight Nigeria’s best young sportsmen and women competing across multiple disciplines designed to foster unity, discover new talent, and drive national development through sport.
“NUGA remains the premier platform for student-athletes to shine, inspiring a new generation of champions and leaders,” Ezeani said in a statement released in Abuja on Tuesday.
For the University of Jos, this is more than just a sporting event, it’s a defining moment.
Speaking on preparations, Professor Ishaya Tanko, Vice-Chancellor of UNIJOS, declared the institution’s full readiness to host the nation.
“The University of Jos is fully ready to host the nation,” Tanko affirmed. “This event goes beyond competition, it is a symbol of unity, excellence, and the indomitable spirit of Nigerian youth. We are ready to deliver a Games that the entire country will be proud of.”
This will be the first time in its history that UNIJOS hosts the NUGA Games, and expectations are sky-high.
The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) has assured that facilities, logistics, and security arrangements are being fine-tuned to international standards.
Preliminary competitions across 15 NUGA zones are already underway, determining the universities that will qualify for the grand showdown in Jos.
Meanwhile, volunteer enlistment, media accreditation, and promotional activities are ongoing across official NUGA channels to ensure smooth coordination ahead of the opening ceremony.
“We are confident that UNIJOS 2025 will set a new benchmark in organization, participation, and spirit,” said President of the Nigerian University Games Association.
The Plateau capital is buzzing with anticipation as the city prepares to welcome thousands of visitors, including students, fans, and dignitaries from across Nigeria.
Hotels, transport operators, and local businesses are already reporting heightened activity, a sign of the economic and tourism boom expected during the Games.
The NUGA Games, founded in 1966, have grown into a national sporting powerhouse, producing world-class athletes who have gone on to represent Nigeria on global stages.
As excitement builds toward the opening ceremony, all eyes are on Jos, the city of peace and beauty to deliver a NUGA spectacle like never before.
From track and field to football, basketball, swimming, and e-sports, the 2025 NUGA Games are set to celebrate the spirit of youth, resilience, and national pride.
“The flame of university sports burns brightest when our young people unite through competition,” Professor Tanko said. “In Jos 2025, that flame will light up the nation.
