By Ghazali Ibrahim
Lagos State University (LASU) has emerged as the most preferred institution among candidates who applied for admission through the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The disclosure was made on Monday during the ongoing policy meeting organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja.
According to figures released at the meeting, LASU recorded 84,426 first-choice applications, representing 3.76 per cent of the total applications submitted nationwide.
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) followed closely with 78,240 applications, while Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, ranked third with 60,370 applicants.
The University of Ibadan (UI) came fourth with 58,895 applications, ahead of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), which recorded 55,425 applications.
Other institutions that made the top 10 include Nnamdi Azikiwe University with 54,085 applications, the University of Ilorin with 52,514, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) with 51,660, Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) with 48,272, and the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) with 48,199 applications.
The latest ranking marks the second consecutive year LASU has emerged as Nigeria’s most preferred university among UTME candidates.
In 2025, LASU also topped the chart, while UNILAG came second with 58,645 applicants and the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) placed third with 56,758 applications.
UNILORIN had for years maintained its position as one of the most sought-after universities in Nigeria, largely due to its uninterrupted academic calendar and minimal record of industrial actions, factors that made it attractive to admission seekers.
Before losing the top spot, the institution had ranked as the most preferred university in the country for 10 consecutive years as of 2024.
In the 2024 ranking, UNILORIN led the list, followed by UNILAG, LASU, and FUOYE. Other institutions in the top 10 that year included the University of Benin, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, and the University of Ibadan.
Full list of most preferred universities in 2026
1. Lagos State University (LASU) — 84,426
2. University of Lagos (UNILAG) — 78,240
3. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) — 60,370
4. University of Ibadan (UI) — 58,895
5. University of Benin (UNIBEN) — 55,425
6. Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) — 54,085
7. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) — 52,514
8. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) — 51,660
9. Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) — 48,272
10. University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) — 48,199
