By Adekunle-Oni Daniel

The National Universities Games Association (NUGA) 2025 competition came to a close on November 15, 2025, after ten days of intense sporting activities at the University of Jos.

Ninety-one Nigerian universities competed across various sporting events, gaining ground and showcasing athletic excellence

The University of Ibadan, represented by 97 athletes, finished sixth on the overall medal table with an impressive haul of 36 medals, Including 9 gold, 13 silver, and 14 bronze. This marks UI’s highest medal count since the inception of the NUGA Games.

UI medal run  in scrabble started with Kelani Funmilola securing the first gold medal in the female singles category.

Funmilola later teamed up with Malik Barakat to win another gold in the female doubles event. Enyi Kingsley and Onuh Benjamin earned bronze in the male doubles, while the scrabble team, consisting of Abdul-Azeez Aishat, Funmilola Kelani, and Malik Barakat, clinched another bronze in the team event, bringing the total to four medals.

The chess team delivered a strong performance, winning seven medals. Akporherhe Blessing and Esoimeme Eboselu each won gold medal in the individual categories.

Silver medals went to Oludoyi Oluwatoyin and Oguntona Abraham in the male category, while Osuntoki Favour secured silver in the female category. Ojo Abimbola added a bronze in the female category, and the male chess team finished second in the team event, earning another silver.

UI Taekwondo athletes also excelled, claiming seven medals. Faith Oparinde (68kg, male) and Hawau Oloyede (67kg, female) won gold in their respective categories.

Despite sustaining an injury in the first round, Olumide fought on to win silver, alongside another silver from Raji Nahimat. Bronze medals were won by Abel Adebola, Mathew Delight, and Oyawoye Favour.

The swimming team contributed four medals. Alimi Olanrewaju won silver in the men’s 50m freestyle, while Balogun Aishat earned bronze in the women’s 50m freestyle.

Gloria Akinyemi secured silver in the women’s 200m backstroke. The mixed 4x100m freestyle relay team, Alimi Olanrewaju, Balogun Aishat, Oluwaseun Aloba, and Adebayo Joseph added another silver to the tally.

In squash, UI secured a bronze medal in the team event through the duo of Chiegbune Winifred and Ovie-Afabor Dorothy.

UI athletes also earned three medals in athletics. Eke Elijah finished second in the 3000m race to win silver. Oladele Ibrahim earned gold in the triple jump, while Akinmusire Esther won bronze in the 5km walk race.

The Judo team emerged as UI highest-earning medal unit with a total of 10 medals. Mathew Chinenye won one gold and one bronze in the female category.

Bello Olajide also secured a gold and a bronze medal. Mololuwa Oluwaseun earned silver, while Olumuyiwa Morikeoluwa, Ayo-Solanke Fortune, Hammed Aminat, and Ogungbe Adedoyin each won bronze in their categories. The UI Judokas also finished second in the team shiai event, earning a silver medal.

With 36 medals and a sixth-place finish out of the ninety-one participating universities, UI improved remarkably, rising ten places above its performance at NUGA 2022.