Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commended Lagos State University (LASU) for emerging as the most preferred institution among candidates in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), describing the feat as a reflection of the university’s growing academic reputation and national relevance.
Data released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) showed that LASU recorded 84,426 applications, the highest among universities across the country.
Trailing LASU is University of Lagos with 78,240 applicants, followed by Obafemi Awolowo University which attracted 60,370 candidates.
University of Ibadan and University of Benin ranked fourth and fifth with 58,895 and 55,425 applicants respectively.
Reacting to the development, Sanwo-Olu said the ranking underscores the increasing confidence of students and parents in LASU’s academic standards, infrastructure and ongoing institutional reforms.
According to the governor, the achievement is a direct outcome of deliberate efforts by the Lagos State Government to create an enabling academic environment capable of driving
prosperity and innovation.He reiterated his administration’s vision to position LASU among the top 10 universities globally, stressing that sustained investment in education remains a cornerstone of the state’s long-term development strategy.
Sanwo-Olu also attributed the university’s progress to strong leadership, committed faculty and dedicated students, alongside the implementation of the THEMES Plus Agenda, particularly in the areas of funding and technological advancement.
The governor further applauded the Vice-Chancellor, Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, for what he described as transformative leadership that has repositioned the institution for both national and international recognition.
He noted that under her administration, LASU has embraced innovative approaches to teaching and learning while improving infrastructure and academic delivery.
Sanwo-Olu urged the university community to sustain the momentum and continue upholding the standards that have earned the institution its current status.
He assured that the Lagos State Government would maintain its support for LASU in its mission to provide quality education and shape the future of young Nigerians.
