The University of Calabar has announced plans to host the 28th edition of the Nigeria Universities Games Association (NUGA) Games from November 14 to 24, 2026.
The institution is expected to welcome about 50 universities from across the country for the sporting festival, which is projected to attract more than 50,000 athletes, officials, and spectators.
Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Offiong Effiong, disclosed this during a press conference at the institution’s Senate Chambers in Calabar on Thursday.
According to him, the games will feature 28 sporting events, providing a platform for universities to compete while fostering unity and sportsmanship.
Effiong urged students of the university to begin preparations early with the aim of emerging overall champions and topping the medals table.
As part of preparations for the competition and efforts to discover new sporting talents, he announced that lectures would be suspended every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to allow students to participate in sporting activities.
“No lecturer is expected to fix lectures during this period. We want to prepare our students adequately and discover talents that will not only excel at the NUGA Games but also represent the university and the nation in future sporting competitions,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the university’s readiness to host the event, the vice-chancellor described the games as an opportunity to showcase the institution’s commitment to academic and sporting excellence while promoting friendship and unity among Nigerian universities.
“The University of Calabar is ready to welcome athletes, officials, and spectators from across Nigeria and beyond. We are committed to delivering an unforgettable experience that reflects the values of fair play, respect, sportsmanship, and excellence that NUGA represents,” he said.
Effiong acknowledged the support of the Cross River State Government and called on corporate organisations, political office holders, media practitioners, and the university’s alumni association to support the successful hosting of the games.
He added that hosting the competition would accelerate the development of modern sports facilities on campus and leave a lasting legacy for future generations of students and athletes.
According to him, the university also plans to establish state-of-the-art sports complexes that will continue to serve both the institution and the wider public after the games.
The vice-chancellor further appealed to the NUGA Council for continued cooperation and support, assuring members of the university’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, sportsmanship, and organisational excellence throughout the competition.