OAU Confirmed as Host of 2026 WAUG with 16 Nations Set to Compete
(OAU), Ile-Ife, has been confirmed as the host of the 2026 West Africa University Games (WAUG), with 16 countries already pledging participation in the biennial multi-sport event.
The tournament, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026, is expected to attract more than 2,000 student-athletes from across the sub-region. It marks the first time in over a decade that OAU will stage a major sub-regional sporting competition.
The WAUG Inspection Committee has submitted its report to the Local Organising Committee, affirming the university’s readiness to host.
The assessment highlighted OAU’s upgraded sports facilities, including the refurbished sports complex and stadium, as well as the institution’s logistical, health, and infrastructural capacity.
The report also noted the advantage of OAU’s self-contained campus, which offers secure and walkable accommodation for participants.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Prof. E.O. Akinfala, expressed confidence in the university’s ability to deliver a successful tournament but emphasized the need for corporate support.
‘Hosting 16 African nations is not merely a sporting event; it is a diplomatic and economic opportunity for the sub-region. While the inspection report has provided a clear roadmap, achieving a world-class event will require support beyond institutional funding. We are inviting sponsors, advertisers and partners to collaborate with us,’ Akinfala said.
Organisers have unveiled sponsorship categories, including title sponsor, gold and silver partners, and official suppliers.
Advertising opportunities will be available across digital platforms, print materials, activation zones, and broadcast channels during the games. Early sponsors will also benefit from visibility during OAU’s inter-university sports activities leading up to the event.
Participating countries include Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo, alongside two invited nations yet to be announced.
Events scheduled for the games include athletics, basketball, football, table tennis, volleyball, and swimming. More than 3,500 athletes, coaches, and officials are expected to converge on Ile-Ife for the competition.
