UTME 2026 Rankings: Full List of Nigeria’s Top 10 Most Selected Universities
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) application statistics, revealing the universities most selected as first-choice institutions by candidates across Nigeria. The data shows significant shifts in student preferences, with Lagos State University (LASU) leading the pack for the second consecutive year.
Lagos State University (LASU) Takes the Lead
LASU tops the list with 84,426 applicants, representing 3.76% of total first-choice selections. The institution retained the top position it held in 2025, continuing a steady rise from second place in 2024 and third in 2023. Notably, LASU was not among the top 10 most preferred universities in 2021 and 2022, marking a remarkable ascent.
University of Lagos (UNILAG) Follows Closely
UNILAG secures second place with 78,240 applicants, accounting for 3.49% of total first-choice applications. The university has consistently ranked among the top two in recent years, placing second in 2025, third in 2024, and second again in 2023, 2022, and 2021.
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Makes a Major Leap
One of the biggest changes in the 2026 ranking is OAU’s surge from ninth position in both 2024 and 2025 to third place this year. The university attracted 60,370 first-choice applicants (2.69% of total). OAU also ranked seventh in 2023 and 2022 before its strong return.
University of Ibadan (UI) Climbs Steadily
UI ranks fourth with 58,895 applicants (2.63% of total). The university has gradually improved its position, moving from sixth in 2024 and 2025, tenth in 2022 and 2023, and not appearing in the top 10 in 2021.
University of Benin (UNIBEN) Holds Fifth
UNIBEN secures fifth place with 55,425 applicants (2.47% of total). The institution has maintained steady interest, ranking eighth in 2024 and 2025, fifth in 2022 and 2023, and third in 2021.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Ranks Sixth
UNIZIK attracts 54,085 applicants (2.41% of total), moving slightly down from fifth place in 2024 and 2025. The university previously ranked eighth in 2023, third in 2022, and fourth in 2021.
University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Drops to Seventh
UNILORIN, which dominated the ranking for several years, falls to seventh place with 52,514 applicants (2.34% of total). The university held the top position from 2021 to 2024, dropped to third in 2025, and now to seventh in 2026.
University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in Eighth
UNN occupies eighth place with 51,660 applicants (2.30% of total). The university has remained consistent, ranking seventh in 2024 and 2025, sixth in 2023, eighth in 2022, and fifth in 2021.
Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) in Ninth
FUOYE is ninth with 48,272 applicants (2.15% of total). Its position has been stable, ranking fourth in 2023, 2024, and 2025, sixth in 2022, and seventh in 2021.
University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) Completes Top Ten
UNIPORT rounds out the top ten with 48,199 applicants (2.15% of total). This marks a return to the top 10 after not appearing between 2021 and 2025.
Additional Context from JAMB Data
The ranking reflects changing candidate preferences over the years. While some universities like LASU and OAU have risen sharply, others like UNILORIN have seen a decline. The data underscores the dynamic nature of higher education choices in Nigeria.
Previously, Legit.ng reported that Covenant University recorded the highest proportion of first-class graduates in 2024, with about 21% of students earning top honours, while UNIBEN produced the highest total number of first-class graduates. Private universities generally outperformed public ones in first-class graduation rates.
