Last Updated on 3 days ago by Haruna Ayuba
Kaduna Polytechnic has retained its position as the most applied-for polytechnic in Nigeria for the 2026 UTME, attracting 7,630 first-choice applications — the highest of any polytechnic or monotechnic in the country. JAMB released the full 2026 UTME Application Statistics by Institution, and the rankings reveal major shifts, surprise newcomers, and one historic entry from Kano State.
Key Highlights
- Most applied polytechnic (2026): Kaduna Polytechnic — 7,630 applications (0.34% of all UTME candidates)
- Biggest climber: Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro — jumped from 5th (2025) to 2nd place in 2026
- Biggest drop: Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa — fell from 3rd (2025) to 5th place
- Historic new entry: Kano State College of Nursing and Midwifery enters the top 10 for the first time ever — was not in top 10 in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025
- Kwara State dominance: Two Kwara institutions in the top 10 (Kwara State Polytechnic at 3rd, Fed Poly Offa at 7th)
- Total top-10 applications: Over 42,000 first-choice applications across these 10 institutions
- Source: JAMB 2026 UTME Application Statistics, broadcast live on TVC News from Abuja
Full Rankings: Top 10 Polytechnics & Monotechnics by 2026 UTME Applications
| 2026 Position | Institution | State | Total Applications | % of All Candidates | 2025 Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | Kaduna Polytechnic | Kaduna | 7,630 | 0.34% | 1st |
| 🥈 2nd | Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro | Ogun | 5,306 | 0.24% | 5th ⬆️ |
| 🥉 3rd | Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin | Kwara | 4,817 | 0.21% | 2nd ⬇️ |
| 4th | Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) | Lagos | 4,574 | 0.20% | 4th — |
| 5th | Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa | Nasarawa | 3,425 | 0.15% | 3rd ⬇️ |
| 6th | Federal Polytechnic, Ede | Osun | 3,195 | 0.14% | — |
| 7th | Federal Polytechnic, Offa | Kwara | 2,795 | 0.12% | 8th ⬆️ |
| 8th | The Polytechnic, Ibadan | Oyo | 2,767 | 0.12% | 7th ⬇️ |
| 9th | Auchi Polytechnic | Edo | 2,301 | 0.10% | 9th — |
| 10th | Kano State College of Nursing & Midwifery | Kano | 2,284 | 0.10% | Not in top 10 🆕 |
Historical Position Tracker (2021–2026)
| Institution | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaduna Polytechnic | 1st | 1st | 3rd | 3rd | 1st | 1st |
| Federal Poly, Ilaro | 2nd | 5th | 5th | 4th | 3rd | 3rd |
| Kwara State Polytechnic | 3rd | 2nd | 2nd | 1st | 2nd | 2nd |
| YABATECH | 4th | 4th | 4th | 5th | 4th | 4th |
| Federal Poly, Nasarawa | 5th | 3rd | 1st | 2nd | 6th | 7th |
| Federal Poly, Ede | 6th | — | 9th | Outside top 10 | Outside top 10 | Outside top 10 |
| Federal Poly, Offa | 7th | 8th | 7th | 6th | — | 5th |
| The Polytechnic, Ibadan | 8th | 7th | 6th | 8th | 10th | 9th |
| Auchi Polytechnic | 9th | 9th | 10th | 7th | 7th | Outside top 10 |
| Kano State CON & Midwifery | 10th | Outside top 10 | Outside top 10 | Outside top 10 | Outside top 10 | Outside top 10 |
What These Rankings Mean for 2026 Admission
1. Kaduna Polytechnic Remains Untouchable at No. 1
With 7,630 first-choice applications, Kadpoly has now held the top spot in 4 out of the last 6 years. The high demand signals strong competition — candidates should expect a competitive Post-UTME screening. Score as high as possible in UTME if Kadpoly is your first choice.
2. Federal Poly Ilaro’s Meteoric Rise to 2nd
Ilaro jumped three places — from 5th in 2025 to 2nd in 2026 — its highest-ever position. This makes it the most improved institution in this year’s rankings, likely driven by growing awareness of its strong engineering and technology programmes in the South-West.
3. Kwara State Polytechnic Stays in the Top 3
Despite slipping from 2nd to 3rd, Kwara State Polytechnic remains a top-three choice for six consecutive years. Combined with Federal Poly Offa at 7th, Kwara State accounts for two spots in the national top 10 — a remarkable concentration of demand.
4. YABATECH — Unmoveable at 4th
YABATECH has occupied the 4th position in 4 of the last 6 years. Its Lagos location, strong brand recognition, and programme diversity make it consistently attractive despite never breaking into the top 3.
5. The Historic Kano Entry: KSCNM Breaks Into Top 10 for the First Time
Kano State College of Nursing and Midwifery is the story of 2026. The institution was outside the top 10 every single year from 2021 to 2025 — and has now broken through with 2,284 applications. This is likely driven by Nigeria’s growing demand for nursing and healthcare professionals and rising awareness of the school’s NMCN accreditation. It is also notable that this is a monotechnic competing alongside full polytechnics.
What This Means If You Applied to These Schools
| Your School | Competition Level | Our Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Kaduna Polytechnic | 🔴 Very High | Score 200+ in UTME. Prepare for Post-UTME screening. |
| Federal Poly, Ilaro | 🔴 High (rising fast) | The jump to 2nd means more competition than in 2025. |
| Kwara State Polytechnic | 🔴 High | Consistently top 3 — expect a competitive screening. |
| YABATECH | 🔴 High | Lagos demand keeps this competitive year after year. |
| Federal Poly, Nasarawa | 🟡 Moderate-High | Dropped to 5th but still a top national institution. |
| Federal Poly, Ede | 🟡 Moderate | Rising fast — was outside top 10 as recently as 2023. |
| Federal Poly, Offa | 🟡 Moderate | Consistent but not as competitive as the top 5. |
| The Polytechnic, Ibadan | 🟡 Moderate | Stable mid-table performer. |
| Auchi Polytechnic | 🟡 Moderate | Steady at 9th — reliable choice for South-South students. |
| Kano State CON & Midwifery | 🟢 Lower (for now) | New entrant — great opportunity for nursing candidates this year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which polytechnic had the most UTME applications in 2026?
Kaduna Polytechnic received the highest number of first-choice UTME applications in 2026 with 7,630 applications, accounting for 0.34% of all UTME candidates nationwide. It has held the number one position in 2026, 2025, 2022, and 2021.
What is the most applied polytechnic in Nigeria?
Based on 2026 UTME data, Kaduna Polytechnic is the most applied-for polytechnic in Nigeria. It has consistently ranked 1st or 2nd in the JAMB application statistics over the past six years.
Is YABATECH in the top 10 polytechnics by applications?
Yes. Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) ranked 4th among all polytechnics and monotechnics in the 2026 UTME with 4,574 first-choice applications. It has held the 4th position in four of the last six years.
Which new institution entered the polytechnic top 10 in 2026?
Kano State College of Nursing and Midwifery (KSCNM) entered the top 10 for the first time in at least six years, ranking 10th with 2,284 applications. It was not in the top 10 in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025.
Which polytechnic dropped the most in 2026?
Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa had the most notable drop — falling from 1st place in 2024 to 3rd in 2025, and now to 5th in 2026. Despite the drop, it remains one of Nigeria’s top five most applied polytechnics.
How many students applied to YABATECH in 2026?
YABATECH received 4,574 first-choice UTME applications in 2026, representing 0.20% of all UTME candidates.
Source & Verification
The data in this article is sourced from the JAMB 2026 UTME Application Statistics by Institution, released and broadcast live on TVC News from Abuja in May 2026. Data covers first-choice applications only, for the Polytechnics/Monotechnics category.
This page will be updated if JAMB releases a revised or more detailed breakdown. If you spot any discrepancy, please flag it in the comments below.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Application statistics reflect first-choice UTME entries and do not determine admission directly. Cut-off marks, Post-UTME scores, and departmental capacities all affect final admission. CampusNinja is not affiliated with JAMB or any of the institutions listed.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 UTME polytechnic rankings confirm that Kaduna Polytechnic, Federal Poly Ilaro, and Kwara State Polytechnic are Nigeria’s most in-demand technical institutions this year. The biggest story, however, is the historic debut of Kano State College of Nursing and Midwifery in the national top 10 — a sign of Nigeria’s surging interest in healthcare careers. If you applied to any of these schools, prepare thoroughly for Post-UTME screening and verify your institution’s cut-off mark directly on the JAMB portal at jamb.gov.ng.
We’d Love to Hear From You
Did you find this helpful? Share it with your friends and classmates who need this information — it costs nothing and helps them a lot.
Have questions? Drop them in the comment section below. We respond to every single comment.
Is your school not listed? Tell us which polytechnic you want us to cover and we’ll get it done.
