A Vision for Excellence: UNIJOS VC Updates NSC Chairman on NUGA 2025 Preparations

NUGA

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Prof. Tanko Ishaya, visited the National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, to provide an update on preparations for hosting the 2025 NUGA Games, set to begin on April 26.

 

During the briefing, Mallam Dikko emphasized the Commission’s commitment to reviving grassroots sports, particularly school sports, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education. Highlighting the importance of nurturing young athletes, he remarked:
“Mr. President has given us the mandate to take sports to the grassroots. Schools sports are central to this mission. Did you know 38% of medals at the last Olympics in France were won by university undergraduates? This is why we must ensure the NUGA Games meet the highest standards. Getting it right here is key to securing the future of our sports.”

 

The Chairman commended UNIJOS for its progress, especially on infrastructure development, and hinted at future opportunities for the institution.

“We aim to establish one center of excellence in each of the six geopolitical zones. If UNIJOS continues this impressive trajectory, it might just become one of those centers,” he said.

 

UNIJOS is constructing an ultramodern, multipurpose sports complex, now 70% complete, to serve the Games. Two consultants have also been hired to secure private sponsorships. According to Prof. Ishaya, the institution envisions becoming a sports hub for Nigeria, combining technical, academic, and professional sports training.

 

“Our goal is to make UNIJOS a leading sports hub, not only for competitions but for education. We’re introducing degree programs in sports management, sports medicine, sports psychology, and more. Partnerships with institutions like the National Sports University in South Korea and Switzerland’s Center for International Sports Studies will strengthen this vision,” Prof. Ishaya explained.

 

The VC also expressed UNIJOS’s interest in hosting one of the NSC’s proposed centers of excellence and invited the NSC Chairman to inspect the facilities.

“We’re working hard to ensure a memorable NUGA Games and hope to collaborate with the NSC to achieve our sports hub ambitions,” Prof. Ishaya concluded.

 

The readiness of UNIJOS to host the NUGA Games will be evaluated at the NUGA Council meeting in Jos on January 28 and 29.

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