The city of Jos came alive with youthful energy, dreams, and blazing talent as the curtain fell on the just-concluded FISU Trials, hosted by the University of Jos (UniJos).
The closing ceremony, held on Friday, April 11th, 2025, at the NDLEA Academy Sports Pavilion, marked a pivotal moment in Nigerian university sports, with 46 universities and over 500 student-athletes competing for a chance to represent the nation on the global stage.
After intense competitions across athletics, badminton, taekwondo, judo, and table tennis, 73 outstanding student-athletes earned their place to represent Nigeria at the upcoming World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany.
In an atmosphere charged with celebration, Musa Ashoms, Plateau State’s Commissioner for Youths and Sports, expressed the state’s immense pride in hosting the trials. “We hope these athletes will go forth as worthy ambassadors,” he said. “And when they return, they’ll tell the world that Jos is safe, welcoming, and ready for greatness.”
The visionary Vice Chancellor of UniJos, Prof. Ishaya Tanko, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that UniJos is not only striving to host the best NUGA Games in history this November but also working towards establishing a dedicated Sports Institute offering over ten programs. “We have a dream beyond hosting. We aim to nurture champions for generations,” he declared, praising the resilience of all the athletes who competed.
Chairman of the UniJos Sports Committee, Prof. Ishaya Pam, expressed gratitude to Plateau State Government and NUGA for entrusting UniJos with the dual honor of hosting the FISU Trials and the upcoming NUGA Games. He commended the student-athletes for their discipline and sportsmanship.
Prof. Ezra Gunen, Director of Sports at the Plateau State Council, shared heartfelt reflections. “I never doubted UniJos,” he said. “Their hosting of the trials is a giant stride for institutional sports in Nigeria. May future leaders continue this legacy.”
From the NUGA front, Dr. Ajibua Alayode, Vice President of the association, confirmed that after touring UniJos’ facilities, confidence in the November Games was sky-high. “This university is poised to become a true training hub for athletes across the country,” he stated.
The event reached an emotional high as NUGA President Bawa Mohammed addressed the crowd, affirming that sports remain a powerful tool for youth empowerment. He encouraged the athletes to stay the course and intensify their training as they head to represent Nigeria on the global stage.
Among the athletes who qualified:
- In Athletics, powerhouses like ABUAD, UNILORIN, FUOYE, and ATBU dominated, with thrilling wins in events like 100m, 800m, and field disciplines like javelin and long jump.
- BIU made waves in Badminton and Table Tennis, sweeping top ranks in both men’s and women’s singles.
- Taekwondo and Judo witnessed fierce matchups, with talents from LASU, FUTO, LAUTECH, and UNILAG punching their way to Germany.
These victories were not just medals—but moments that sealed the athletes’ dreams and ignited national pride.