Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has emerged overall champion of the 15th West African University Games after winning 122 medals to finish ahead of 22 other universities.

The institution secured 33 gold, 50 silver and 39 bronze medals to claim the top position at the competition.

Director-General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, congratulated OAU on its victory, describing the performance as evidence of hard work, discipline and investment in sports development.

In a congratulatory message issued on Wednesday, Shaibu said the performance of Nigerian universities at the games offered encouragement for the future of sports in the country.

The University of Ghana finished second with 59 medals, comprising 26 gold, 21 silver and 12 bronze, mounting a strong challenge in the competition.

Shaibu said the NIS would continue to support university sports as a platform for identifying and developing talents capable of representing Nigeria at higher levels of competition.

The 15th edition of the West African University Games brought together universities from across the subregion to compete in various sporting events.

The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), finished at the bottom of the final medals table.