Lagos State University (LASU) has officially emerged as the most sought-after university in Nigeria, according to new data released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The announcement was made during the ongoing 2025 JAMB Policy Meeting in Abuja, signalling a significant shift in university preference trends among Nigerian admission seekers.
The new JAMB data indicates that LASU has overtaken the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), which had held the top spot for more than a decade. The shift underscores a growing interest in LASU, which may be attributed to its academic reforms, strategic innovations, and increasing appeal among prospective students.
Historically, UNILORIN had enjoyed a dominant position in national admission applications. According to a 2017 analysis by Premium Times, UNILORIN recorded the highest number of admission applications across Nigerian universities between 2012 and 2016. The report revealed that the institution was the first choice for admission seekers in three of the four years analysed, coming second only to the University of Benin in 2012.
In total, UNILORIN attracted 411,340 applications during that period, representing 25.76% of the aggregate applications for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Following closely, the University of Benin secured 331,178 applications (20.56%), while Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, ranked third with 305,790 applications (18.65%).
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the University of Lagos followed in fourth and fifth positions respectively. Notably, Imo State University, Owerri, was the only state university to appear twice on the national ranking list—placing in both 2012 and 2013.
LASU’s ascent to the top of the JAMB preference chart in 2024 suggests a changing landscape in Nigeria’s higher education system. As federal and state universities continue to invest in academic quality, infrastructure, and student services, candidate preferences are evolving accordingly.
Education observers note that this trend could reflect broader developments in public perceptions of institutional performance, accessibility, and graduate outcomes.
With LASU now leading in preference, and UNILORIN maintaining its legacy of consistent high demand, the race among Nigerian universities for top-tier applicants remains keen, as institutions respond to the aspirations of a growing and discerning student population.
