UNIJOS Gears Up for NUGA 2025: Plateau on the Starting Line -By Prince Charles Dickson Ph.D

The countdown clock has started ticking, and the University of Jos is already on the track, muscles taut and eyes fixed on the finish line. In just a month, the Plateau capital will throb with the heartbeat of thousands of athletes, fans, and dreamers as the 27th Nigerian University Games (NUGA) take center stage from November 6 to 16, 2025.

With over ten thousand accredited athletes and officials expected from universities across Nigeria, the Games promise ten days of spirited competition, camaraderie, and a festival of youthful energy. For UNIJOS, it’s more than hosting an event, it’s stepping up to the national podium, ready to showcase not just sporting excellence, but the famed warmth, culture, and resilience of Plateau people.

Everywhere across the University of Jos, the mood is electric. You can feel it in the newly painted walls, the crisp green of the pitches, the hum of construction and renovation like a sprinter tightening their laces before the gunshot. From Naraguta to Bauchi Road, from the Sports Complex to the Main Campus, the rhythm is the same: UNIJOS is getting game-ready.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tanko Ishaya, recently described NUGA 2025 as “a defining moment for our university and the Plateau community.” And truly, the whole state is on its toes. Local artisans, hospitality providers, and transport operators are all tightening formation because when NUGA comes to town, the entire economy catches the rhythm of the drums.

The Plateau State Government, traditional institutions, and local stakeholders have all rallied behind the university. It’s no longer just UNIJOS hosting NUGA; it’s the Plateau family hosting Nigeria. The slogan, “The Home of Peace and Tourism,” will not just be a tagline, it will be lived and experienced through every handshake, every cheer, and every finish line crossed.

Across Nigeria’s 15 NUGA zones, qualifying tournaments have been a series of heats leading up to the grand final and Jos is the stadium of destiny. Universities have been battling fiercely, hoping to punch their ticket to the Plateau. For many student-athletes, this is not just about medals; it’s about dreams, visibility, and the chance to become tomorrow’s national stars.

Hosting NUGA is like preparing for a marathon relay. The baton passes from one department to another, from one committee to the next, each responsible for perfect timing and smooth transition. The UNIJOS Local Organizing Committee has become the team captain, coordinating logistics, accreditation, security, media, and ceremonial affairs with precision.

Volunteers are being trained, hostels are being prepped, and venues are getting final touches. The air is filled with anticipation, and the Plateau people known for their hospitality are ready to roll out the welcome mat. Traders are setting up for brisk business, hotels are getting fully booked, and restaurants are polishing their menus. From the street vendors selling suya and masa to the tailors stitching uniforms, everyone has a role to play in this championship story.

While the medals will glitter, the true victory of NUGA lies in its spirit unity through sport. In a country of rich diversity, the Games remind us that though we compete, we do so under one flag. Every sprint, every jump, and every goal scored will tell a story of resilience, teamwork, and shared dreams.

UNIJOS stands ready to write its chapter. For Plateau youths, this is a moment of inspiration and proof that home can be a stage for greatness. The local schools are already planning to bring their students to watch the matches, to see what dedication, practice, and discipline can achieve.

As the clock ticks toward November, UNIJOS is running its final laps. The lanes are being marked, the scoreboards installed, and the flags unfurled. The Plateau breeze carries both excitement and expectation.

Hosting NUGA is not just about sports, it’s about telling the Nigerian story through the language of effort, excellence, and endurance. It’s about showing that Plateau can host the nation with grace and precision.

When the torch is lit and the anthem rises over the Jos sky, it will not only mark the opening of games, it will signal a new chapter of pride, unity, and youthful excellence. For UNIJOS and for Plateau State, this is more than a tournament.

This is their moment in the sun. And the world will be watching.

—

Prince Charles Dickson PhD
Team Lead
The Tattaaunawa Roundtable Initiative (TRICentre)

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