By Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, has assured members of the university community, residents of Cross River State, and sports enthusiasts across Nigeria that the 28th edition of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Games, tagged UNICAL 2026, will be a historic and successful event.
Addressing journalists in Calabar on Thursday, the Vice-Chancellor expressed confidence in the institution’s preparedness to host the prestigious sporting competition, scheduled to take place from November 14 to 24, 2026.
He stated that the university is committed to delivering a memorable tournament that will showcase sporting excellence, national unity, and the rich cultural heritage of Cross River State.
According to him, the University of Calabar has a proud history of hosting the games, having successfully staged the 13th edition, known as Guinness NUGA ’90, in 1990.
Prof. Offiong described the NUGA Games as an important platform for promoting unity, friendship, and healthy competition among students of tertiary institutions across the country.
He noted that preparations are already in top gear to ensure that athletes, officials, and visitors enjoy a world-class experience throughout the competition.
The Vice-Chancellor further called on stakeholders, alumni, government agencies, corporate organisations, and members of the public to support the university in hosting a successful NUGA Games that will leave a lasting legacy for sports development in Nigeria.
The 28th NUGA Games is expected to attract thousands of athletes and officials from universities across the country, making it one of the largest sporting events in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.