Bayero University, Kano (BUK) made a stunning impression at the opening ceremony of the 27th Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) held at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Plateau State on Saturday, 8th November, 2025. The BUK contingent, elegantly dressed in blue and white, captivated thousands of spectators during the match-past, earning one of the loudest applauses of the day.
The University is participating in 13 sporting events, with 130 athletes representing BUK across various competitions.
Director of Sports, Professor Rabi’u Mohammed, expressed deep appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Haruna Musa, for his unwavering support to sports development at the University. “We have no words than to thank our sports-loving Vice-Chancellor, who approved the budget for our 130 athletes and sponsored the preliminaries at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUST), where our teams qualified in 13 events,” he stated.
Similarly, the Chairman, Sports Consultative Committee, Professor Musa Garba Yakasai, who also serves as the Chairman, Technical Committee of NUGA, described this year’s event as one of the most promising in the competition’s history. “With over 91 universities competing in 23 events, involving more than 7,000 athletes and 2,000 officials, the 27th NUGA Games promises to be colourful, competitive, and memorable,” he said.
The Basketball Head Coach of BUK, Sanusi Shuaibu (Badway) said with the huge support from the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Haruna Musa, the BUK teams were highly motivated to make the University proud.
The official opening ceremony, held on Saturday, 8 November 2025, drew an impressive lineup of dignitaries, including His Excellency Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, Governor of Plateau State, and His Excellency Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Governor of Ondo State, alongside deputy governors, ministers, university administrators, and sports officials from across the country.
Proceedings began with the national anthem and a vibrant parade featuring contingents from over 90 universities. Vice-Chancellor of UNIJOS, Professor Tanko Ishaya, welcomed the participants and commended the collective efforts of stakeholders—particularly the Federal Government, TETFund, and corporate sponsors—in preparing the institution to host the prestigious competition.
In his goodwill message, Governor Mutfwang assured athletes of their safety, saying, “As you came safely, so shall you return safely.” Governor Aiyedatiwa officially declared the Games open, followed by the athletes’ and officials’ oaths of allegiance, pledging fairness and sportsmanship.
The lighting of the NUGA torch by Azi Augustine and Piscilla Osiri symbolically signalled the commencement of the long-awaited Games.