TASUED Makes History with Double Gold as UI, UNILAG Shine at NUGA 2025

Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, recorded a landmark achievement at the 2025 National Universities Games (NUGA) in Jos on Tuesday, claiming its first-ever gold medals in athletics.

Rebecca Soneye struck gold in the women’s 800m, while Kehinde Olanrewaju powered to victory in the men’s 100m, marking TASUED’s emergence as a growing force in university sports on day five of the competition.

The university’s male hockey team also impressed with a dominant 5–1 win over the University of Maiduguri, while the men’s volleyball team cruised past the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, with a 3–0 victory.

At the same time, the University of Ibadan (UI) extended its strong showing, collecting seven medals in judo — one gold, one silver, and five bronze. Bello Olajide captured gold, with Mololuwa Oluwaseun taking silver, while Olumiyiwa Morikeoluwa, Mathew Deborah, Ayo-Solanke Fortune, Hammed Aminat Olajumoke, and Ogungbe Adedoyin Opeyemi each clinched bronze to solidify UI’s reputation as a powerhouse.

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) also made headlines, winning its first medal of the Games — a bronze — in the men’s badminton team event through Daniel Christopher and Adesoye Boluwatife. In judo, Losa Taiwo delivered UNILAG’s first gold with victory in the men’s -60kg category. Their taekwondo squad added three silver medals in the pair and team poomsae events, led by standout performances from Patricia Yekeen, Olumide Ayorinde, Qasim Abdussalam, Adebayo Success, Ilugbo Faridah, and Ajani Aliyah.

Other highlights from day five saw the University of Benin edge hosts UNIJOS 1–0 in women’s hockey, while UNIJOS men beat Bayero University Kano by the same scoreline. In handball, UI thrashed BUK 9–0. Football matches produced thrilling results — MOUAU beat KASU 3–0 in the women’s category, while LASU edged UDUS 1–0 in the men’s.

Boxing events also kicked off, with UNIJOS’s Williams Oche advancing to the semifinals after defeating Buba Samaila of Aliko Dangote University in the men’s quarterfinals.