The Lagos State University (LASU) has emerged as the most sought-after institution among candidates seeking admission through the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), according to data released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The statistics were presented on Monday during JAMB’s policy meeting on admissions into tertiary institutions in Abuja.
The data revealed that LASU recorded 84,426 first-choice applications, representing 3.76 per cent of total applications nationwide.
The University of Lagos (UNILAG), long regarded as one of the country’s most competitive institutions, received 78,240 applications, followed by Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, with 60,370 applications.
The latest ranking reflects a notable shift in candidates’ admission preferences, with LASU displacing older federal universities that traditionally dominated the list.
Although UNILAG maintained a strong position near the top, LASU’s rise is significant because the institution was absent from the top 10 rankings in some previous admission cycles (2021 and 2022).
This year, the University of Ibadan (UI) came fourth with 58,895 applications, ahead of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), which recorded 55,425 applications.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) placed sixth with 54,085 applications, followed by the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) with 52,514 applications.
Speaking on UNILORIN’s drop to seventh position, the JAMB Registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, attributed the development to changing realities in the public university system.
Mr Oloyede, a professor, said the university had consistently ranked among the most preferred institutions largely because it maintained stable academic calendars while industrial actions usually shut down many other federal universities.
According to him, candidates are now broadening their choices as other universities experience fewer disruptions.
“The University of Ilorin had always clinched the first position because they were not going on strike,” he said.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), recorded 51,660 applications, while the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) and the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) rounded out the top 10 with 48,272 and 48,199 applications, respectively.
Full list
Lagos State University (LASU) – 84,426
University of Lagos (UNILAG) – 78,240
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) – 60,370
University of Ibadan (UI) – 58,895
University of Benin (UNIBRN) – 55,425
Nnamdi Azikiwe University 54,085
University of Ilorin (UNILAG) – 52,514
University of Nigeria, Nsukka — 51,660
Federal University Oye-Ekiti – 48,272
University of Port Harcourt – 48,199
