LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List)

Lagos State University (LASU) recorded the highest number of first-choice applications in 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 the ongoing 2026 policy meeting organised by JAMB in Abuja.

According to the board, LASU received 84,426 applications from candidates seeking admission for the 2026 academic session, representing 3.76 percent of the total first-choice 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 applications.

JAMB’s data further showed that the University of Ibadan (UI) secured the fourth position with 58,895 applications, ahead of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), which recorded 55,425 applications.

Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) emerged sixth on the list with 54,085 applications, while the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) ranked seventh with 52,514 applications.

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), recorded 51,660 applications to occupy the eighth position.

Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) and the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) completed the top 10 list with 48,272 and 48,199 applications, respectively.

The figures were displayed in a photograph presented to journalists and representatives of tertiary institutions attending the policy meeting.

JAMB noted that the latest ranking reflects changing admission preferences among candidates, with some institutions that previously dominated the list dropping positions in the 2026 application cycle.