The 27th edition of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) has taken a historic and dramatic turn in Jos, Plateau State, following the introduction of a groundbreaking scan-code screening system that has reshaped the competition, disrupted old patterns, and opened the door for two institutions from the former Bendel State, Benson Idahosa University (BIU) and Delta State University (DELSU). to dominate the medal table in an unprecedented fashion.
The Games, traditionally dominated by institutional giants such as the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), the University of Lagos (UNILAG), and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), have entered a new era of fairness, transparency, and genuine student competition. With the withdrawal of UNIPORT the defending champion for decades combined with strict verification that exposed fraudulent entries by several other universities, the road has been cleared for a powerful, unexpected, and historic showdown.

A New Era of Transparency: Scan-Code Screening Changes Everything

For over 50 years, allegations of fielding “machineries” over-aged, non-student, or professional athletes—have plagued NUGA. Over time, the credibility of the Games was increasingly questioned, as some institutions gained reputations for exploiting loopholes in the accreditation process to field elite-level athletes who were not genuine students.
This year, however, the introduction of a scan-code screening system powered by digital verification linked directly to institutional databases has revolutionized the accreditation process. Each athlete is required to present a unique QR code that connects instantly to their verified student record, complete with bio-data, academic status, photograph, and NUGA registration ID.
The system leaves no room for manipulation, inconsistency, or impersonation. Any mismatch or suspicious entry is instantly flagged. A NUGA accreditation officer in Jos described it as “the most advanced and reliable system ever used in university sports in Nigeria.” “For the first time in many years, we are certain that only bonafide students are participating,” he said.
“There is no hiding place for machineries. The technology has closed every loophole.”

Big Names Forced Out: UNIPORT and Others Withdraw

The new screening system did not only expose malpractice it altered the competitive landscape entirely. Unofficial reports indicate that several universities known for relying on machineries pulled out after realizing their athletes could not pass the verification process. The biggest shock came when the University of Port Harcourt, the defending champions and perennial powerhouse, withdrew from this year’s Games. For decades, UNIPORT has dominated NUGA, often winning by large margins and setting records unmatched by other institutions. Their absence, triggered by their inability to field the athletes they traditionally rely on, has drastically shifted the balance of power. Sport analysts have described it as the “end of an era” and “the beginning of a long-overdue reset in Nigerian university sports.”

Host University in Trouble: Allegations of Machineries Emerge

Perhaps the most surprising and controversial development is the unofficial report that even the host university may have attempted to field machineries. According to sources close to the accreditation team, some of the host institution’s athletes failed the scan-code verification and were flagged for irregularities.
The matter is still under internal investigation, but it is widely reported that the institution risks sanctions, including a possible suspension from future NUGA editions if found guilty. This unprecedented development demonstrates that the new verification system is impartial every institution is held to the same standard, regardless of their status as host.

The Bendel Miracle: BIU and DELSU Rise to the Top

With traditional powerhouses out of the picture and fraudulent entries eliminated, the competition has become more open, competitive, and genuinely reflective of student talent. Nowhere is this more evident than in the extraordinary rise of two universities from the old Bendel State:
•    Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Edo State – A private university leading the medal table.
•    Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka – A state university holding the second position.
This development is nothing short of historic. Since the inception of NUGA in 1966, no private university has ever won the Games. State universities have also struggled to break through due to the overwhelming dominance of federal institutions with larger budgets and deeper pools of athletes.
But in Jos, everything is different.
With the playing field finally levelled, BIU and DELSU have risen to the top, demonstrating exceptional skill, discipline, and athletic excellence.

Benson Idahosa University: The Private University Making History

BIU’s performance at the 27th NUGA Games has shocked analysts and captured national attention. Their athletes have excelled in swimming, table tennis, team sports, and combat sports. The university’s strategic investment in sports development, combined with a culture of discipline and academic-athletic balance, is paying off on the biggest stage. A senior BIU official expressed pride in the athletes’ achievements:
“This is what happens when you build a sports program based on integrity. Our athletes are genuine students who have worked extremely hard. It is an honour to lead the medal table.”
Should BIU finish as champions, they would become the first private university in Nigeria’s history to win the NUGA Games.

DELSU Abraka: The Rise of a State University

Delta State University, Abraka, is currently second on the medal table, grabbing a total of ten (10) gold from swimming. DELSU has long had pockets of talent, but their brilliance was often overshadowed by federal universities fielding suspiciously elite athletes. With fairness restored, DELSU’s genuine student-athletes are finally receiving the recognition they deserve.
A DELSU coach described the moment as “a victory for clean sports.” “For years, our athletes trained hard but always competed against machineries. Now the field is clean. Our students are proving their true ability.”
If DELSU finishes in the top three, it would be their highest-ever placement in NUGA history.
Athletes Celebrate the Return of Fair Competition
Across the Games Village in Jos, the mood among athletes is positive, energized, and hopeful. Many have expressed relief that for the first time in years they are competing against real students rather than disguised semi-professionals.
One basketball player from a northern university said: “This is the NUGA we want. Students competing against students. No need to fear that you are facing a 32-year-old man disguised as an undergraduate.”
Track athletes also praised the new system.
“The medals this year will carry real meaning,” a sprinter said.
“This is honest competition.”

A Turning Point for Nigerian University Sports

The impact of the scan-code screening system will likely extend far beyond the 2025 Games. Analysts predict that this year marks a turning point that could transform the future of Nigerian university sports. With fraudulent practices curtailed, universities may now invest more in genuine youth development rather than secret recruitment. Coaches will focus on training real students, athletes will trust the system again and parents will encourage their wards to participate in university sports without fear of exploitation.
NUGA officials believe this model can be adopted nationwide for other collegiate competitions, including NIPOGA, HIUS, NACE, and state-level contests.

A New Champion on the Horizon
As the 27th NUGA Games enters its final stages, the race for the championship remains tight—but historic. With BIU leading and DELSU in close pursuit, Nigeria is witnessing the emergence of a new order.
This year’s Games will be remembered for:
•    the collapse of long-standing dominance,
•    the triumph of fairness,
•    the rise of formerly underestimated institutions,
•    and the restoration of integrity in student sports.
Regardless of who eventually lifts the trophy, one thing is clear: NUGA will never be the same again. The 27th edition in Jos has ushered in a new era of transparency, growth, and genuine competition.
For the old Bendel State, it is a moment of pride.
For Nigerian university sports, it is a rebirth.
And for the nation at large, it is proof that integrity once enforced can reshape history.