OAU unveils logo, mascot for 2026 West African Universities Games
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has unveiled the official logo and mascot for the 2026 West African Universities Games (WAUG), marking the start of the final countdown to the regional sporting festival scheduled for October 2 to 12.
The unveiling ceremony, held at the university’s Senate Building on Tuesday, attracted members of the Local Organising Committee, university management, corporate organisations, financial institutions, hospitality brands and other stakeholders.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. E.O. Akinfala, said preparations for the games were at an advanced stage, with work progressing on sporting facilities, accommodation, transportation, security, medical services and volunteer training.
“The logo and mascot unveiled today are only the visible symbols of months of intensive planning. Our objective is to host the most organised and memorable edition of WAUG,” Akinfala said.
Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, described the unveiling as a declaration of the university’s readiness to host thousands of student-athletes and officials from universities across West Africa.
He said the logo represents excellence, unity, resilience and healthy competition, while the mascot reflects the energy, courage and hospitality for which OAU and Nigeria are known.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilesa, Prof. T.O. Ashaolu, who unveiled the logo and mascot, commended OAU for hosting the games, describing the event as one that would strengthen regional integration and project the image of Osun State and Nigeria.
The organisers also announced that the logo and mascot emerged from a West Africa-wide design competition, while volunteer registration has opened for OAU students. Corporate organisations and development partners were equally invited to support the games through sponsorship and branding opportunities.
