LASU gains UTME appeal as indigenous advantage drive surge

 

 

Lagos State University (LASU) is witnessing a growing surge in interest from Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates, as stakeholders cite security, a stable academic calendar, and consideration for indigenes as factors driving its rising appeal.

Data from JAMB reveals that LASU is the most subscribed institutions in the 2026 UTME with 70,080 applicants, similarly, in 2025, the university emerged as the most preferred institution with 79,000 applications, and was second best in 2024, with 62,601, after UNILORIN with 64,143 applicants.

Kingsley Iheme, a parent, speaking about the university’s rising acceptance profile, said that one of factors fueling LASU’s growing popularity among UTME applicants is the surging insecurity across the country.

“Many parents would do anything to ensure that their children are schooling at a place relatively safe, rather than risk their lives at a security volatile areas, no matter the infrastructure or the affordability costs.

“I was not comfortable when my child got admission in one the universities in Kwara State, even after paying N100,000 acceptance fees, I still got her registered at Covenant University, just for security reasons,” he said.

Ibikunle Ganyu, a senior lecturer at LASU’s department of educational  management, attributed the institution’s about 20 percent jump year-on-year, ahead of UNILAG, UNILORIN, OAU, and UI in terms UTME’s candidates preference to academic stability, digital transformation and infrastructural development, and affordable fees.

“LASU has maintained an uninterrupted academic calendar since 2021. Closures for industrial action are now forgotten, there is a safer campus, and students graduate when they are supposed to.

“So parents and candidates are choosing “certainty” over brand name. In Nigeria’s system, a four-year course finishing in four years is not so common in most Nigerian universities,” he said.

In addition, he said, “By awards, LASU markets itself as ‘the most digitally advanced state university in Nigeria’.

“This is evident in digitalised admissions, registration, and learning processes. Besides, there are the establishment of new faculties, 26 departments added, and expanded research output.”

Recall that in 2022, LASU disaffiliated out of the nationwide ASUU strike, resuming normal academic activities while other public universities remained shut.

While the lecturers are an affiliate of the national body, ASUU-LASU frequently negotiates directly with the Lagos State government regarding state-owned university issues.

Hence, many believe that the university’s uninterrupted academic sessions and relatively peaceful learning environment have further strengthened its reputation among prospective students seeking stability in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

Jessica Osuere, chief executive officer at RubiesHub Educational Services, cited location as a major factor driving LASU’s popularity among UTME applicants.

“The Lagos advantage is a major factor behind LASU’s rise. Students see the institution as a gateway to better internship opportunities, networking, and employment prospects within Nigeria’s commercial hub,” she said.

Besides, Osuere said that economic realities have made LASU appealing because it offers relatively affordable education for Lagos State indigenes compared to many state institutions.

Experts argue that LASU’s strategic location in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, adds to its appeal, offering students access to countless opportunities during and after their studies.

“Many students apply to study at LASU because of the location, which gives them better access to internships, job opportunities and professional networks,” they say.

Chris Nmeribe, an educationist in Lagos emphasised that the preference given to Lagos State indigenes may contribute partly to its popularity among local applicants, though, he said that this alone cannot explain the nationwide rise in demand.

A former student of LASU confirmed the indigene prioritisation claim, when he said, “LASU is a state university, and state universities are established first to cater for the indigenes.

“However, admission into LASU as an indigene comes with rigor, every student who claims Lagos indigene must prove it via a strict screening; I passed through the hurdle, and I can tell you, it’s not easy,” he said.

Buttressing the indigenes admission preference, a woman, who gave her name only as Amaka, told BusinessDay that her sister scored 255 in 2023 UTME, and was denied admission to study Nursing, though candidates from Lagos with lesser scores got admitted.

“My sister applied for Nursing/Pysiotherapy, and 255 in UTME, 4Bs and 1A in WAEC; her total aggregate was 73.8, with LASU as first choice.

“The university didn’t release the cut-off mark but was admitting behind the scene. Her admission status read, no admission, and no reason was given,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State described LASU’s emergence as Nigeria’s most sought-after university in the 2026 UTME as a testament to the institution’s rising academic profile, quality education, and strategic investments in the education sector by Lagos State government.

“LASU’s improved performance is a direct result of the Lagos State government’s focus on fostering an academic environment that leads to prosperity,” he said.

Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile, deputy registrar at LASU, speaking on the university’s academic performance of recent and quality of life for lecturers, said that the institution produced 10 first-class graduates at the Nigerian Law School, including one of the best graduating female students nationally.

“LASU regularly pay salaries to ensure staff are motivated and loyalty, besides, we’ve improved welfare packages and support services for students.

“Lagos State government rewards excellence, for instance, the state offers N10 million cash prize for the best graduating student,” she said.

According to data from Stutern, a reputable skills development and job marketplace for graduates in Nigeria, LASU ranks fifth best university with the most employable graduates in the country, with 62.50 percent graduates’ employability.

Times Higher Education (THE) World Universities Rankings 2026 rates LASU in 1501+ group, and the 19th best university in Nigeria.