The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has released data highlighting the most preferred universities by candidates in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), offering insight into admission trends across Nigeria.
The figures show a strong concentration of applications in a few highly competitive institutions, reflecting their reputation, course offerings, and perceived admission advantages. With thousands of candidates vying for limited spaces, the data also underscores the increasing pressure on Nigeria’s university system.
According to the Board, Lagos State University emerged as the most selected institution, attracting approximately 70,000 applicants, followed closely by University of Lagos and University of Ilorin.
Top 10 most selected universities in 2026 UTME
1. Lagos State University — 70,000 candidates
2. University of Lagos — 58,000 candidates
3. University of Ilorin — 56,000 candidates
4. Federal University Oye-Ekiti — 52,000 candidates
5. Nnamdi Azikiwe University — 51,000 candidates
6. University of Ibadan — 47,000 candidates
7. University of Nigeria Nsukka — 46,000 candidates
8. University of Benin — 45,000 candidates
9. Obafemi Awolowo University — 45,000 candidates
10. Federal University Lafia — 42,000 candidates
The trend highlights the dominance of federal and state universities located in urban or academically established regions, particularly in Lagos, Kwara, Oyo, Ekiti, and Anambra states.
Education analysts note that institutions such as University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University continue to attract large applicant pools due to their longstanding academic reputation and competitive programmes.
Similarly, newer-generation universities like Federal University Oye-Ekiti and Federal University Lafia are gaining popularity, possibly due to perceived accessibility and expanding course offerings.
However, the high number of applicants to these institutions also means that competition for admission remains intense. With limited admission quotas, only a fraction of candidates will eventually secure placement.
