Lagos State University (LASU) has emerged as the most preferred university among candidates in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), according to official application statistics presented at the ongoing Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Policy Meeting in Abuja.
The statistics, which ranked the top ten first-choice universities for the 2026 admission cycle, showed that LASU received 84,426 applications, representing 3.76 percent of the total university applications nationwide.
Coming closely behind was University of Lagos (UNILAG) with 78,240 applicants, while Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) secured the third position with 60,370 applications.
University of Ibadan (UI) placed fourth with 58,895 applicants, followed by University of Benin (UNIBEN) with 55,425 applications.
Other institutions that made the top ten list include Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), and University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
The data also revealed shifting admission trends over the past five years, with some institutions maintaining consistent dominance while others recorded significant rises in candidates’ preferences.
The statistics were unveiled during the 2026 Admission Policy Meeting, where critical decisions regarding admission benchmarks, institutional quotas, and guidelines for the new admission cycle are being discussed.