UTME 2026: LASU Emerges Nigeria’s Most Preferred University With 84,000 Applicants
- Lagos State University recorded 84,326 first-choice applications to emerge the most preferred university in Nigeria for the 2026 admission cycle
- The institution maintained its lead ahead of the University of Lagos and Obafemi Awolowo University in the latest JAMB statistics
- LASU’s ranking reflected steady growth over recent years as it climbed from outside the top ten to the number one position
Lagos State University has retained its position as the most preferred university among candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria for the 2026 academic session.
New statistics released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board showed that the university recorded 84,326 first-choice applications in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination admission cycle.
Source: Getty Images
The figure placed LASU ahead of the University of Lagos, which attracted 78,240 applicants, and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, with 60,370 applications.
LASU tops 2026 admission statistics
The latest ranking was announced during the ongoing 2026 JAMB Policy Meeting on Admissions in Abuja.
The development marks the second consecutive year LASU has occupied the top position among Nigerian universities in terms of first-choice applications.
The institution’s rise in national admission rankings has been steady over the last few years.
Before 2023, the university was outside the top ten most subscribed institutions in the country. It later moved to third place in 2023 with more than 55,000 applications before climbing to second position in 2024 with 62,601 candidates.
LASU eventually emerged as the most sought-after university in 2025 after receiving over 70,000 applications. The latest figure of 84,326 applicants further strengthened its standing in the country’s higher education sector.
Source: UGC
University cites growth and reforms
The university authorities attributed the increasing interest to improvements in academic delivery, infrastructure development, digital innovation and research expansion.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government for supporting the institution’s development goals.
She also commended staff and students for contributing to the university’s growing national and international profile.
According to her, the latest admission figures reflected the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation and impactful scholarship.
Olatunji-Bello said the university would continue to provide an environment that supports quality learning and prepares students for global opportunities.
Competition among top universities rises
The latest JAMB figures also reflected increasing competition among Nigeria’s leading universities as institutions continue to expand programmes and improve facilities to attract prospective students.
Below is an image of the list of top ten most sought-after schools nationwide:
Source: Original
2026 Position | Institution | Total Number of Applications |
1st | Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State | 84,426 |
2nd | University Of Lagos, Lagos State | 78,240 |
3rd | Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State | 60,370 |
4th | University Of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State | 58,895 |
5th | University Of Benin, Benin City, Edo State | 55,425 |
6th | Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State | 54,085 |
7th | University Of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State | 52,514 |
8th | University Of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State | 51,660 |
9th | Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State | 48,272 |
10th | University Of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State | 48,199 |
Can admission to LASU be bought?
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Lagos State University (LASU) vowed to uphold transparency and merit in its admission process.
LASU was the most preferred institution in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) 2025 UTME application, receiving 79,000 first-choice applications.
LASU asked applicants and the public to resist the temptation of patronising 'unscrupulous individuals who may falsely claim to sell admission slots'
Source: Legit.ng
