Statistics released at the ongoing 2026 policy meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in Abuja have shown that Lagos State University is the most preferred university among candidates in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) first-choice applications.
LASU led the chart with 84,426 applications, representing the highest number recorded nationwide. It was followed closely by University of Lagos with 78,240 applications.
Below
Lagos State University — 84,426
University of Lagos — 78,240
Obafemi Awolowo University — 60,370
University of Ibadan — 58,895
University of Benin — 55,425
Nnamdi Azikiwe University — 54,085
University of Ilorin — 52,514
University of Nigeria — 51,660
Federal University Oye-Ekiti — 48,272
University of Port Harcourt — 48,199
The data highlights shifting preferences among candidates nationwide, with LASU emerging as a surprise leader after not featuring among the top 10 in some previous years. Meanwhile, institutions such as UNILAG, OAU, UI, and UNILORIN continue to maintain strong demand among applicants.
