Here are Nigeria’s 10 most preferred universities for 2026 JAMB admission

Some universities in Nigeria 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.

The figures, displayed in a presentation shared with journalists and representatives of tertiary institutions attending the meeting, reflected changing admission preferences among candidates, with some institutions that previously dominated the rankings dropping positions in the 2026 application cycle.

Here are Nigeria’s 10 most preferred universities for 2026 JAMB admission

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Lagos State University (LASU) — 84,426 applications
Known for its relatively affordable tuition and strong reputation among state universities, LASU has grown into one of Nigeria’s most competitive institutions.

University of Lagos (UNILAG) — 78,240 applications
Located in Nigeria’s commercial capital, UNILAG remains one of the country’s most sought-after universities due to its academic reputation, vibrant student culture and strong graduate employability.

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) — 60,370 applications
OAU is widely respected for academic excellence, its iconic campus and strong traditions in humanities, engineering and health sciences.

University of Ibadan (UI) — 58,895 applications
Nigeria’s oldest university continues to attract students for its research pedigree, academic prestige and highly regarded postgraduate programmes.

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University of Benin (UNIBEN) — 55,425 applications
UNIBEN is recognised for strong programmes in medicine, engineering and arts, as well as its large and diverse student population.

Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) — 54,085 applications
Popularly known as UNIZIK, the university is a major academic hub in southeastern Nigeria and is known for mass communication, medicine and business-related courses.

University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) — 52,514 applications
UNILORIN has built a reputation for academic stability and uninterrupted calendars, making it one of the most preferred federal universities in Nigeria.

University of Nigeria (UNN) — 51,660 applications
UNN is regarded as one of the country’s leading institutions.

Read also: Why Nigeria must reconsider JAMB as higher institutions’ entrance exam

Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) — 48,272 applications
FUOYE has rapidly gained popularity among admission seekers due to its expanding academic programmes and growing infrastructure.

University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) — 48,199 applications
UNIPORT is widely recognised for its strengths in petroleum-related studies, engineering and health sciences, reflecting its location in Nigeria’s oil-producing region.