With just 58 days to the start of the 2026 West African Universities Games (WAUG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has unveiled the official logo and mascot for the regional sporting festival, marking the beginning of the final countdown to one of West Africa’s biggest university sports events.
The unveiling ceremony, held on Tuesday at the University’s Senate Building, attracted members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), corporate organisations, financial institutions, hospitality brands and the university community.
Principal officers in attendance included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, E. O. Akinfala; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), A. O. Aderonmu; and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Development), Akanni Akinyemi, alongside deans, directors and other senior management officials.
The 2026 WAUG is scheduled to take place in Ile-Ife from October 2 to 12, with thousands of student-athletes and officials expected from universities across the West African sub-region.
Speaking at the event, Professor Akinfala assured stakeholders that preparations for the Games were progressing steadily, noting that the renovation of sporting facilities, accommodation arrangements, transportation, security, medical services and volunteer training were all at advanced stages.
“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 of Obafemi Awolowo University, Adebayo Simeon Bamire, described the unveiling as more than the presentation of artistic designs.
According to him, the event symbolised the university’s readiness to host student-athletes from across West Africa in a festival that would celebrate sportsmanship, scholarship, friendship and cultural integration.
Professor Bamire explained that the official logo represents excellence, unity, resilience and healthy competition, while the mascot embodies the energy, courage, friendliness and hospitality associated with both OAU and Nigeria.
He added that the university was determined to set a new benchmark for future editions of the Games in terms of organisation, hospitality, safety and sporting excellence.
The official unveiling was performed by the Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilesa, T. O. Ashaolu, who praised OAU for hosting the competition 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.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the announcement that both the official logo and mascot emerged from a West Africa-wide design competition organised by the Local Organising Committee.
The winning logo was designed by a student of University of Lagos, while the official mascot was created by a student of Obafemi Awolowo University, reflecting the organisers’ commitment to placing students at the centre of the Games.
The competition attracted entries from universities across the region and was judged by a panel of designers, sports administrators and communication professionals, with stakeholders describing the initiative as a boost for creativity, inclusion and regional identity.
The Local Organising Committee also announced the commencement of volunteer registration for OAU students interested in supporting the Games in areas such as media and publicity, protocol, transport and logistics, accommodation, sports competition management and medical services.
According to the organisers, the volunteer programme will provide students with practical experience in sports event management, leadership, teamwork and international collaboration while contributing to the successful hosting of the tournament.
The committee further called on corporate organisations, development partners and individuals to take advantage of sponsorship, branding, advertising and activation opportunities available throughout the competition.
The ceremony concluded with the official WAUG 2026 mascot joining the Vice-Chancellor, principal officers and members of the university management for a commemorative group photograph, symbolising the formal launch of the Games’ identity and OAU’s commitment to delivering a successful championship.
With preparations entering the final phase, attention now turns to Ile-Ife, where West Africa’s finest university athletes will gather in October for 11 days of sporting excellence, cultural exchange and regional integration.
