The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially named Lagos State University (LASU) as the most preferred institution by candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The announcement was made by Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, JAMB’s Registrar, during the 2025 Policy Meeting on Admissions held in Abuja. The ranking is based on the choices of over two million candidates who participated in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
LASU Leads the Pack
With 70,080 applications, LASU emerged as the most sought-after university in Nigeria, a notable achievement for a state-owned institution. This rise in preference positions LASU ahead of top federal universities, reflecting its increasing reputation and student appeal.
Following LASU, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) secured second place with 58,645 applications, while the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) came in third with 56,758 applicants. Notably, UNILORIN had previously held the top position for several years due to its stable academic calendar and minimal strike disruptions.
Top 10 Most Preferred Universities (2025)
According to data released during the policy meeting, here are the top 10 institutions ranked by student applications:
- LASU – 70,080
- UNILAG – 58,645
- UNILORIN – 56,758
- Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) – 52,108
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) – 51,487
- University of Ibadan (UI) – 47,571
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) – 46,273
- University of Benin (UNIBEN) – 45,868
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) – 45,777
- Federal University, Lafia – 42,962
Except for LASU, all other universities on the list are federal institutions, further highlighting LASU’s exceptional performance in attracting applicants.
New Admission Policies for 2025
JAMB also revealed important updates to the admission process during the meeting:
- The minimum UTME score for universities is 150.
- For polytechnics and colleges of education, the minimum is 100, while nursing colleges will admit candidates with scores from 140 and above.
- Institutions may set their own higher benchmarks but must not fall below these national cut-offs.
- The minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions remains 16 years, with rare exceptions allowed for academically advanced students.
These decisions were made in collaboration with university vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, and regulatory agencies during the policy meeting.
Recognizing Merit and Efficiency
The policy meeting also featured the National Tertiary Admissions Performance – Merit Award (NATAP-M). This award initiative, started by JAMB, celebrates institutions that uphold transparency, merit, and efficiency in their admission processes.
With the release of these figures and new admission guidelines, JAMB continues to shape the future of Nigeria’s higher education system. LASU’s rise to the top reflects shifting dynamics in applicants’ choices, with students increasingly considering institutional reputation, location, and academic reliability in their decision making.
