JAMB has disclosed that the list of most sought-after universities in Nigeria. UNILORIN is followed by the University of Lagos and Lagos State University (LASU) in second and third place, respectively, for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations. The update was provided by JAMB registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, during the 2026 policy meeting on admissions to tertiary institutions and awards held in Abuja.
The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) top the list of the most sought-after universities for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).
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Mediangr reported that according to the registrar of the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the top 10 institutions were recognised due to the high number of applicants during the 2026 UTME application period.
UNILORIN, UNILAG, LASU, others emerge most preferred Nigerian universities
Oloyede said this during the 2026 policy meeting in Abuja on Saturday, June 24.
In the list, while UNILORIN ranked first with 73,749 applicants, UNILAG ranked second with 60,606 applicants, and the Lagos State University (LASU) ranked third with 55,964, Premium Times reported.
Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), appeared in fourth place.
Related: JAMB Cut-Off Marks 2026/2027 Admission – Universities, Poly & COE
Top 10 Most Sought-after Universities in Nigeria.
Mediangr.com.ng reports that UNILORIN has consistently been the candidates’ most preferred institution for over three years.
Others in the top 10 are the University of Benin (UNIBEN), the University of Nigeria (UNN), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), and the University of Ibadan (UI).
Check out the full list below:
- University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- Lagos State University (LASU)
- Federal University, Oye-Ekiti
- University of Benin (UNIBEN)
- University of Nigeria (UNN)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- Nnamdi Azikwe University
- Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna
- University of Ibadan (UI)
Meet JAMB’s top scorer, Umeh Nkechinyere, from Anambra state
Earlier, Mediangr.com.ng reported that Umeh Nkechinyere is the top scorer in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME), the Joint Admissions (opens in a new tab) and Matriculation Board (JAMB) announced on Saturday, June 24.
Nkechinyere emerged as the best candidate after she scored 360.
2026/2027 admissions: What JAMB should set as cut-off mark
Mediangr.com.ng also reported that Prince AbdulMujeeb Adesegun Ogungbayi, the board chairman of MIMS Educational Services, on Friday, June 23, said it was unfair that JAMB candidates who score 200 and above in their UTME often struggle to secure admission into Nigerian schools.
Speaking to Mediangr.com.ng, Ogungbayi said that when cut-off marks are set, “JAMB and authorities of higher institutes of learning need to ensure that the rules are strictly implemented”.