With just 58 days to the commencement of the 2026 West African Universities Games (WAUG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, on Tuesday unveiled the official logo and mascot for the regional sporting festival, signalling the beginning of the final countdown to one of West Africa’s biggest university sporting events.
The unveiling ceremony, held at the University’s Senate Building, brought together members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), representatives of corporate organisations, financial institutions, hospitality brands and members of the university community.
Among those in attendance were principal officers of the university, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Professor E. O. Akinfala; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor A. O. Aderonmu; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Development), Professor Akanni Akinyemi as well as other members of the LOC, directors, deans and senior management staff.
The 2026 WAUG is scheduled to hold in Ile-Ife from October 2 to 12, with thousands of student-athletes and officials expected from universities across West Africa.
Speaking at the event, Professor Akinfala assured stakeholders that preparations for the Games were at an advanced stage.
According to him, renovation of sporting facilities is ongoing, accommodation arrangements have been concluded, while transportation, security, medical services and volunteer training are receiving final attention.
“The logo and mascot unveiled today are only the visible symbols of months of intensive planning. Our objective is to host the most organised and memorable edition of WAUG,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, described the unveiling as more than the presentation of artistic designs.
“This event represents the unveiling of a vision, a commitment and a promise. It is our declaration that Obafemi Awolowo University is fully prepared to welcome the brightest student-athletes from across West Africa to an unforgettable festival of sports, friendship, scholarship and cultural integration,” he said.
Professor Bamire explained that the official logo symbolises excellence, unity, resilience and healthy competition, while the mascot reflects the energy, courage, friendliness and hospitality for which OAU and Nigeria are renowned.
He added that the university was determined to make WAUG 2026 a benchmark for future editions in organisation, hospitality, safety and sporting excellence.
The official unveiling was performed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilesa, Professor T. O. Ashaolu, who commended OAU for hosting the Games and pledged his institution’s support.
“What OAU is doing is beyond the university. It is a project for Osun state, Nigeria and the entire West Africa. We are proud to support this initiative because it will further project the image of our state and strengthen regional integration through sports,” he said.
One of the major highlights of the ceremony was the announcement that both the official logo and mascot emerged from a West Africa-wide design competition organised by the LOC.
The winning logo was designed by a student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), while the official mascot was created by a student of Obafemi Awolowo University, reinforcing the organisers’ commitment to placing students at the heart of the Games.
The competition attracted entries from universities across the sub-region and was adjudicated by a panel of designers, sports administrators and communication professionals. Stakeholders described the initiative as one that promotes creativity, inclusion and regional identity beyond the sporting arena.
The Local Organising Committee also announced that the WAUG 2026 Volunteer Registration Form is now open to students of Obafemi Awolowo University. Interested students are encouraged to register and serve in various functional areas, including Media and Publicity, Protocol, Transport and Logistics, Accommodation, Sports Competition Management and Medical Services, among others.
According to the organisers, the volunteer programme offers students a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in sports event management, leadership, teamwork and international collaboration while contributing to the successful hosting of one of West Africa’s biggest university sporting festivals.
The LOC also used the occasion to invite corporate organisations, development partners and individuals to take advantage of sponsorship, branding, advertising and activation opportunities available throughout the tournament.
The ceremony ended on a colourful note as the official WAUG 2026 mascot joined the Vice-Chancellor, principal officers and other members of the university’s management team for a commemorative group photograph. The photo session, which attracted applause and excitement from guests, symbolised the official launch of the WAUG 2026 identity and the university’s collective commitment to delivering a successful Games in October.
With the countdown now underway, attention has shifted to Ile-Ife, where West Africa’s finest student-athletes will converge in October for 11 days of sporting excellence, friendship, cultural exchange and regional unity.
