LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) - Education

LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) - Education - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum › Nairaland General › Education › LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) (12013 Views)

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LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by FreeStuffsNG(op): 1:32am On May 12

LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB names 10 most preferred universities for 2026
by Theophilus Adedokun
May 11, 2026 5:21 pm

Lagos State University (LASU) recorded the highest number of first-choice applications in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), according to data released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The statistics were presented on Monday during the ongoing 2026 policy meeting organised by JAMB in Abuja.

According to the board, LASU received 84,426 applications from candidates seeking admission for the 2026 academic session, representing 3.76 percent of the total first-choice applications submitted nationwide.

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) followed closely with 78,240 applications, while Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, ranked third with 60,370 applications.

JAMB’s data further showed that the University of Ibadan (UI) secured the fourth position with 58,895 applications, ahead of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), which recorded 55,425 applications.

Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) emerged sixth on the list with 54,085 applications, while the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) ranked seventh with 52,514 applications.

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), recorded 51,660 applications to occupy the eighth position.

Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) and the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) completed the top 10 list with 48,272 and 48,199 applications, respectively.

The figures were displayed in a photograph presented to journalists and representatives of tertiary institutions attending the policy meeting.

JAMB noted that the latest ranking reflects changing admission preferences among candidates, with some institutions that previously dominated the list dropping positions in the 2026 application cycle.

https://www.thecable.ng/lasu-unilag-oau-jamb-names-10-most-preferred-universities-for-2026/#google_vignette

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Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by FreeStuffsNG(op): 1:34am On May 12

Only UNILAG has remained consistently in the top 2 for decades.

LASU is the new face for some years now but UNILAG will still take back its top spot as the University of First Choice.

All the most sought after top 4 schools are in Yorubaland.

Education tourism in SW is real and consistent.

If you want the best quality education, come to Yorubaland.

It is refereshing to see OAU and UI now ahead of Ilorin, Benin and FUOYE.

39 Likes 4 Shares

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by Amotolongbo(f): 6:00am On May 12

Lagos is the Nigerian London.
They sha wan use admission to escape from their land to our land.

26 Likes 2 Shares

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by koxyz: 6:12am On May 12

Amotolongbo:
Lagos is the Nigerian London.
They sha wan use admission to escape from their land to our land.

LASU always give preference to Lagos Indigenes over others.

10 Likes

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by Amotolongbo(f): 7:35am On May 12

koxyz:
LASU always give preference to Lagos Indigenes over others.

But this list is not about LASU giving preference to people but people giving preference to LASU.

29 Likes

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by free2ryhme: 8:31am On May 12*

Amotolongbo:
Lagos is the Nigerian London.
They sha wan use admission to escape from their land to our land.

see how your live dey upside down

5 Likes 2 Shares

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by datola: 8:31am On May 12*

FreeStuffsNG:
Only UNILAG has remained consistently in the top 2 for decades.

LASU is the new face for some years now but UNILAG will still take back its top spot as the University of First Choice.

All the most sought after top 4 schools are in Yorubaland.

Education tourism in SW is real and consistent.

If you want the best quality education, come to Yorubaland.

It is refereshing to see OAU and UI now ahead of Ilorin, Benin and FUOYE.

Chief, UNILAG is popular because it is in Lagos and most people will find it more convenient to choose it instead of travelling all the way to Ile-Ife for a much rigorous academic, hence the competition.

This is the same reason LASU is now the most sought after. Who/what is LASU compared to OAU, UI, UNN, FUTA, FUTO, etc.

Insecurity in Kwara state contributed to UNILORIN's drop.

24 Likes 1 Share

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by Gotocourt: 8:32am On May 12

FreeStuffsNG:
Only UNILAG has remained consistently in the top 2 for decades.

LASU is the new face for some years now but UNILAG will still take back its top spot as the University of First Choice.

All the most sought after top 4 schools are in Yorubaland.

Education tourism in SW is real and consistent.

If you want the best quality education, come to Yorubaland.

It is refereshing to see OAU and UI now ahead of Ilorin, Benin and FUOYE.

Hope they don't speak with H factor tongue

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by dgitrader(m): 8:35am On May 12

Lagos high population and Insecurity on the highways and far places is also a factor.

11 Likes

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by opalu: 8:36am On May 12

Why can't they also tell us the lowest 5 Universities ? That is how balanced journalism should be. When you say the highest, you also state the lowest.

13 Likes

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by Djele: 8:36am On May 12

Schools without jobs nonsense people

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by Oju4190: 8:37am On May 12

FreeStuffsNG:
Only UNILAG has remained consistently in the top 2 for decades.

LASU is the new face for some years now but UNILAG will still take back its top spot as the University of First Choice.

All the most sought after top 4 schools are in Yorubaland.

Education tourism in SW is real and consistent.

If you want the best quality education, come to Yorubaland.

It is refereshing to see OAU and UI now ahead of Ilorin, Benin and FUOYE.

true talk.... Most universities in the south east and south south, their main concern is how to exploit students....

5 Likes

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by Armaggedon: 8:37am On May 12*

FreeStuffsNG:
Only UNILAG has remained consistently in the top 2 for decades.

LASU is the new face for some years now but UNILAG will still take back its top spot as the University of First Choice.

All the most sought after top 4 schools are in Yorubaland.

Education tourism in SW is real and consistent.

If you want the best quality education, come to Yorubaland.

It is refereshing to see OAU and UI now ahead of Ilorin, Benin and FUOYE.

I Will tell you the reason. It borders more on the affordability of higher education in the southwest. The cheaper the school in the southwest, the more the demand. It's not about prestige or education tourism. most native southwesterners choose schools based on cost. That is why federal universities in the southwest dominate the list including the new one in oye ekiti unlike the east where people are more willing to explore states and even private unis. Easterners form a very significant, if not the highest student population of southwest private unis and then form an overwhelmingly majority of the student population in the fast emerging private university education sector in the east.

There are several factors that resulted in this stat but affordability issues pushed native southwesterners into cheaper federal unis, leaving their private unis and that of the east for Easterners to occupy. You can confirm this from southwest nelfund application figures.

5 Likes

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by RichDad1(m): 8:38am On May 12

What happened to UNN, IMSU, NAU?

4 Likes

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by israelmao(m): 8:39am On May 12

Where is ABU?Always ahead.

1 Like

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by Epurogonogono(m): 8:40am On May 12

datola:
Chief, UNILAG is popular because it is in Lagos and most people will find it more convenient to choose it instead of travelling all the way to Ile-Ife for a much rigorous academic, hence the competition.

This is the same reason LASU is now the most sought after. Who/what is LASU compared to OAU, UI, UNN, FUTA, FUTO, etc.

Schools like FUTA or FUTO are for only science students, so they won't rank very high in that list because only a fraction of students are allowed to apply for such schools.

But I still think your point is valid.

8 Likes

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by tollyboy5(m): 8:47am On May 12

FreeStuffsNG:
Only UNILAG has remained consistently in the top 2 for decades.

LASU is the new face for some years now but UNILAG will still take back its top spot as the University of First Choice.

All the most sought after top 4 schools are in Yorubaland.

Education tourism in SW is real and consistent.

If you want the best quality education, come to Yorubaland.

It is refereshing to see OAU and UI now ahead of Ilorin, Benin and FUOYE.

No federal university in Nigeria will beat LASU.
LASU is just starting, this is Lagos money on infrastructure.
What we offer federal universities cannot offer them.

2 Likes

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by tollyboy5(m): 8:48am On May 12

datola:
Chief, UNILAG is popular because it is in Lagos and most people will find it more convenient to choose it instead of travelling all the way to Ile-Ife for a much rigorous academic, hence the competition.

This is the same reason LASU is now the most sought after. Who/what is LASU compared to OAU, UI, UNN, FUTA, FUTO, etc.

So why was LASU not the most sought after some years ago?
If you care to explain

2 Likes

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by Maj196(m): 8:50am On May 12

UNILORIN dropped since they joined ASUU

1 Like

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by tollyboy5(m): 8:50am On May 12

dgitrader:
Lagos high population and Insecurity on the highways and far places is also a factor.

Insecurity on highways is a valid point tho.

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by DeltaBachelor(m): 8:51am On May 12

Okay. Cool. However, I really don’t think this is necessary to avoid the influx and saturation of students in some institutions, while others remain scanty. What should be paramount is the course a person studies and the grade attained.

For interview, nobody go ask you the school wey you go o. BE WISE !

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by tollyboy5(m): 8:53am On May 12

Amotolongbo:
Lagos is the Nigerian London.
They sha wan use admission to escape from their land to our land.

You suppose don pass this kin thing na madam.
This is 2026

6 Likes 2 Shares

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by shivisee: 8:54am On May 12

God have blessed the southwest with the best of things. If the best of education is found in the southwest, you will understand where Yorubas depth is coming from!

3 Likes

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by Amotolongbo(f): 8:54am On May 12

free2ryhme:
she how your live dey upside down

You saw it because you are down below me

5 Likes

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by Lanretoye(m): 8:55am On May 12

Amotolongbo:
Lagos is the Nigerian London.
They sha wan use admission to escape from their land to our land.

but if you don’t give them admission they will call it shitty water…

koxyz:
LASU always give preference to Lagos Indigenes over others.

so Lagos state university should be giving preference to people from abia state or which kind of senseless comment is this one again

7 Likes

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by datola: 8:56am On May 12

tollyboy5:
So why was LASU not the most sought after some years ago?
If you care to explain

Insecurity is increasing by the day. It used be UNILORIN but because of the recent security escalation in Kwara state.

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by free2ryhme: 8:58am On May 12

Amotolongbo:
You saw it because you are down below me

see how your backward thinking immediately kicked in to project absurdity

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by DeLaRue: 8:59am On May 12

Ilorin used to be in the top 3 almost every year.

Now, one of its key advantages - no 'ASUU strike - a 4 year course is a 4 year course ' has ebbed away.

OAU that had a reputation for incessant strikes and used to struggle to be in the top 10, has now shut up to no.3.

This is all thanks to the fact that Mr Tinubu has kept his promise to bring an end to ASUU strikes.

4 Likes 1 Share

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by amitage: 9:01am On May 12

Is that why you didn't go to school?....

Djele:
Schools without jobs nonsense people

1 Like

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by adamkkk: 9:01am On May 12

Because Lagos is a commercial hub that makes the population 10 times than many state

1 Like

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by Kog45(m): 9:01am On May 12

datola:
Insecurity is increasing by the day. It used be UNILORIN but because of the recent security escalation in Kwara state.

Well insecurity but University of Ilorin is losing it due to Ilorinalization,good courses are for Ilorin indigene not even Kwara indigene not to talk of other states.

Re: LASU, UNILAG, OAU… JAMB Names 10 Most Preferred Universities For 2026 (See List) by AustineE1: 9:02am On May 12

I wonder why the noise about LASU or UniLag being the most sort after when the population of Lagos is 3 or 4 larger times larger than an average state in Nigeria. The only other state to compete with Lagos, could have been Kano state but because the north has not fully embraced education,Lagos certainly is in a world of his own in terms of population.

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