Ahmadu Bello University Set to Host the 29th Edition of the Biennial Nigerian University Games in 2028.

2028 NUGA Games ABU

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State, has officially secured provisional hosting rights for the prestigious 29th Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Games scheduled for 2028.

This marks a historic return of the biennial multi-sport event to the institution after an absence of more than two decades—the last time ABU hosted was in 2001.

The Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) brings together thousands of student-athletes from universities across Nigeria to compete in a wide range of sporting disciplines, serving as a major platform for talent identification, grassroots development, and the promotion of unity among young Nigerians.

The provisional hosting approval was communicated in a formal letter dated December 3, 2025, from Yunusa M. Bazza, Acting Secretary-General of NUGA, to the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Adamu Ahmed. The letter, sighted in Kaduna, confirms that the final award is subject to the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the university and NUGA, with specific dates to be announced later by the council.

The university has been authorized to immediately begin upgrading its sports facilities and to engage relevant government agencies and private partners to ensure a successful hosting.

Receiving the news with great excitement, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Adamu Ahmed described the development as a “major boost” to ABU’s sporting legacy and reputation. He emphasized that hosting the games aligns perfectly with Nigeria’s national policy of nurturing the next generation of athletes through the university system.

“This opportunity fits squarely into Nigeria’s broader agenda of nurturing athletes from the grassroots,” Prof. Ahmed stated. “It is also an added opportunity to build Nigeria’s economy around the sports value chain.”

The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the unifying power of sports, noting that the 2028 NUGA Games will serve as a platform for national cohesion amid prevailing social and economic challenges. He also pointed out the perfect timing of the award, coming shortly after ABU was designated as one of Nigeria’s sports centres of excellence.

ABU boasts a rich sporting heritage, having produced numerous national and international athletes, coaches, and sports administrators over the decades.

Prof. Ahmed assured that the university would work closely with NUGA before, during, and after the games to deliver a world-class event that reflects the institution’s commitment to excellence, youth empowerment, and the transformative power of sports.

With preparations already underway, all eyes will be on Zaria in 2028 as Nigeria’s university sporting community converges for what promises to be one of the most memorable editions of the NUGA Games.