Big moments in university sports don’t come around often, and when they do, they tend to reshape campus life in lasting ways.
That’s exactly the atmosphere at Ahmadu Bello University as the institution prepares to welcome a national sporting event it hasn’t hosted in more than 20 years.
ABU Secures Provisional Rights to Host 2028 NUGA Games
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has been granted provisional hosting rights for the 29th Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Games, scheduled for 2028.
The announcement signals a long-awaited return of the biennial competition to the university, which last hosted the games in 2001.
NUGA remains one of Nigeria’s most important platforms for university sports, bringing together student-athletes from institutions across the country to compete, showcase talent, and support youth development through sports.
How the Hosting Rights Were Awarded
The provisional approval was formally communicated in a letter from the Acting Secretary-General of NUGA, Yunusa M. Bazza, to the Vice-Chancellor of ABU.
The letter followed the approval of the association’s council and was dated December 3, 2025.
According to the correspondence, the hosting rights will be fully confirmed once a Memorandum of Agreement is signed between NUGA and the university.
The council is also expected to announce the official dates for the games at a later time.
Green Light for Partnerships and Facility Upgrades
Beyond the hosting announcement, the letter also authorised ABU to begin engaging government agencies and non-governmental organisations to build strategic partnerships.
These collaborations are expected to support preparations for the games, including the upgrading of sports facilities and related infrastructure across the campus.
This early approval allows the university to move swiftly with planning and development ahead of the 2028 event.
Vice-Chancellor Describes Hosting Rights as a Major Boost
Reacting to the development, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Adamu Ahmed expressed clear excitement, describing the hosting rights as a significant boost to the university’s sporting reputation.
He explained that the opportunity aligns closely with national policies aimed at developing future athletes through the university system, reinforcing the role of higher institutions in grassroots sports development.
Aligning University Sports With National Goals
According to Ahmed, the NUGA Games fit squarely into Nigeria’s broader vision of nurturing athletic talent from an early stage.
He noted that universities serve as a critical pipeline for discovering and grooming athletes who can later represent the country at higher levels.
He also expressed satisfaction that ABU would once again welcome student-athletes from all parts of the country after more than two decades.
Sports as a Driver of Economic Growth
Beyond competition and recreation, the Vice-Chancellor highlighted the economic potential tied to hosting the games.
He described the event as an opportunity to contribute to national economic growth through the sports value chain.
Ahmed stressed that the university understands the Federal Government’s expectations for the sports sector, particularly its role in job creation, infrastructure development, and broader economic impact.
A Platform for Unity in Challenging Times
The Vice-Chancellor also pointed out that the games would serve a deeper purpose beyond athletics.
In his view, the event would act as a unifying platform for young Nigerians at a time when the country faces various social and economic pressures.
Sports, he noted, continue to offer a rare space where unity, teamwork, and shared purpose thrive regardless of background.
Timing Aligns With ABU’s Centre of Excellence Status
Ahmed described the timing of the hosting rights as especially significant, noting that ABU has recently been designated as one of Nigeria’s sports centres of excellence.
This recognition, he said, reinforces the university’s readiness to host an event of such scale.
He thanked the NUGA Council for the confidence placed in the institution and assured that the university would deliver a well-organised and memorable competition.
A Proud Sporting Legacy and a Look Ahead
The Vice-Chancellor reflected on ABU’s long-standing sporting tradition, noting that the university has produced many of Nigeria’s respected athletes, coaches, and sports administrators over the years.
Emphasising the evolving nature of sports, Ahmed observed that it has grown far beyond leisure into a multi-billion-dollar global industry.
He pledged that ABU would maintain a strong and collaborative relationship with NUGA before, during, and after the games to ensure their success.
With provisional hosting rights secured, attention now turns to preparation, partnerships, and facility upgrades as ABU sets the stage for what promises to be a landmark edition of the NUGA Games in 2028.
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