Last Updated on 3 days ago by Haruna Ayuba
Lagos State University (LASU) has retained its position as the most applied-for university in Nigeria for the 2026 UTME, receiving 84,426 first-choice applications — the highest of any university in the country this year. JAMB released the full 2026 UTME Application Statistics by Institution live from Abuja, and the data shows dramatic climbers, a historic new entrant, and the steepest fall from grace in recent memory.
Key Highlights
- Most applied university (2026): Lagos State University — 84,426 applications (3.76% of all UTME candidates)
- 2nd most applied: University of Lagos (UNILAG) — 78,240 applications (3.49%)
- Biggest climber: Obafemi Awolowo University — jumped from 9th (2025) to 3rd place in 2026
- Biggest fall: University of Ilorin — dropped from 1st place in 2021–2023 all the way to 7th in 2026
- Historic new entry: University of Port-Harcourt enters the top 10 for the first time ever — not in top 10 in any year from 2021 to 2025
- Lagos dominance: Two Lagos institutions (LASU and UNILAG) hold the top two spots with a combined 162,666 applications
- Source: JAMB 2026 UTME Application Statistics, broadcast live on TVC News from Abuja
Full Rankings: Top 10 Universities by 2026 UTME Applications
| 2026 Position | Institution | State | Total Applications | % of All Candidates | 2025 Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo | Lagos | 84,426 | 3.76% | 1st |
| 🥈 2nd | University of Lagos (UNILAG) | Lagos | 78,240 | 3.49% | 2nd |
| 🥉 3rd | Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife | Osun | 60,370 | 2.69% | 9th ⬆️ |
| 4th | University of Ibadan (UI) | Oyo | 58,895 | 2.63% | 6th ⬆️ |
| 5th | University of Benin (UNIBEN) | Edo | 55,425 | 2.47% | 8th ⬆️ |
| 6th | Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka | Anambra | 54,085 | 2.41% | 5th ⬇️ |
| 7th | University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) | Kwara | 52,514 | 2.34% | 3rd ⬇️ |
| 8th | University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) | Enugu | 51,660 | 2.30% | 7th ⬇️ |
| 9th | Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) | Ekiti | 48,272 | 2.15% | 4th ⬇️ |
| 10th | University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT) | Rivers | 48,199 | 2.15% | Not in top 10 🆕 |
Historical Position Tracker (2021–2026)
| Institution | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LASU | 1st | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Outside top 10 | Outside top 10 |
| UNILAG | 2nd | 2nd | 3rd | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd |
| OAU | 3rd | 9th | 9th | 7th | 7th | 9th |
| UI | 4th | 6th | 6th | 10th | 10th | Outside top 10 |
| UNIBEN | 5th | 8th | 8th | 5th | 5th | 3rd |
| UNIZIK | 6th | 5th | 5th | 8th | 3rd | 4th |
| UNILORIN | 7th | 3rd | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st |
| UNN | 8th | 7th | 7th | 6th | 8th | 5th |
| FUOYE | 9th | 4th | 4th | 4th | 6th | 7th |
| UNIPORT | 10th | Outside top 10 | Outside top 10 | Outside top 10 | Outside top 10 | Outside top 10 |
What These Rankings Mean for 2026 Admission
1. LASU Holds the Top Spot — But the Competition Is Fierce
Lagos State University has now held the number one position for two consecutive years and was 2nd in 2024. With 84,426 applications for a school that admits a fraction of that number, LASU remains the most competitive state university in Nigeria. Candidates should score as high as possible and prepare rigorously for Post-UTME.
2. OAU’s Stunning Jump — From 9th to 3rd in One Year
Obafemi Awolowo University’s leap from 9th in 2025 to 3rd in 2026 is the single biggest positive move in this year’s rankings. OAU has historically been one of Nigeria’s most respected universities, and this surge suggests a major rebound in its national appeal. Expect Post-UTME to be significantly more competitive than last year.
3. University of Ibadan and UNIBEN Also Climb Strongly
UI moved from 6th to 4th, and UNIBEN from 8th to 5th — both institutions are trending upward after years in the middle of the table. UI’s consistent rise reflects its position as Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious university, while UNIBEN’s growth signals renewed confidence in its South-South student base.
4. UNILORIN’s Historic Collapse — From No. 1 to No. 7
This is the defining story of the 2026 rankings. University of Ilorin held 1st place every single year from 2021 to 2023, then fell to 3rd in 2025, and has now dropped to 7th in 2026. This is a dramatic reversal for an institution that was once the undisputed most applied-for university in Nigeria. The causes are unclear from the data alone, but the trend is unmistakable.
5. UNIPORT Makes History — First Ever Top 10 Appearance
University of Port-Harcourt enters the top 10 for the first time in at least six years, ranking 10th with 48,199 applications. This is a significant milestone for one of Nigeria’s major federal universities and likely reflects growing application volumes in Rivers State and the South-South region broadly.
What This Means If You Applied to These Schools
| Your School | Competition Level | Our Advice |
|---|---|---|
| LASU | 🔴 Extremely High | 84,426 applications for limited spaces. Aim for 280+ in UTME. |
| UNILAG | 🔴 Extremely High | Consistently top 2 for years — no room for average scores. |
| OAU | 🔴 Very High (rising fast) | Jumped 6 places — expect the hardest Post-UTME in years. |
| UI | 🔴 Very High | Nigeria’s oldest university; always competitive. |
| UNIBEN | 🔴 High | Rising fast — more competitive than in 2025. |
| UNIZIK | 🟡 High | Slight drop but still top 6 nationally. |
| UNILORIN | 🟡 Moderate-High | Dropping in applications but still a top-tier federal university. |
| UNN | 🟡 Moderate-High | Stable performer — strong in the South-East. |
| FUOYE | 🟡 Moderate | Dropped from 4th to 9th — slightly less competitive than last year. |
| UNIPORT | 🟡 Moderate (for now) | First-time top 10 entry — a good opportunity for Rivers State candidates. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which university had the most UTME applications in 2026?
Lagos State University (LASU) received the highest number of first-choice applications in 2026 with 84,426 applications, representing 3.76% of all UTME candidates. It has now held the top position for two consecutive years.
Is UNILORIN still the most applied university in Nigeria?
No. University of Ilorin, which held the number one position from 2021 to 2023, has dropped to 7th place in 2026 with 52,514 applications. LASU and UNILAG now occupy the top two spots.
What is the most applied federal university in Nigeria in 2026?
Among federal universities specifically, University of Lagos (UNILAG) ranks highest at 2nd overall with 78,240 applications. LASU, which ranks 1st overall, is a state university.
Which new university entered the top 10 in 2026?
University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT) entered the top 10 for the first time in at least six years, ranking 10th with 48,199 applications. It was not in the top 10 in any year from 2021 to 2025.
How many students applied to OAU in 2026?
Obafemi Awolowo University received 60,370 first-choice UTME applications in 2026, up from 9th position in 2025. This makes it the 3rd most applied university in Nigeria this year.
Why did UNILORIN drop in the 2026 rankings?
The JAMB data does not explain the reason for UNILORIN’s drop — it only shows the numbers. What is clear is that UNILORIN fell from 1st place (2021–2023) to 3rd in 2025 and now 7th in 2026, with 52,514 applications. The university remains a strong federal institution; the drop reflects shifting student preferences, not a decline in quality.
How competitive is LASU Post-UTME in 2026?
With 84,426 first-choice applications, LASU is the most applied-for university in Nigeria. Given that LASU admits only a small fraction of applicants annually, competition is extremely high. Candidates should target a UTME score of 280 and above and prepare thoroughly for the screening exercise.
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 Universities category. This page will be updated if JAMB releases a revised or more detailed breakdown. If you spot any discrepancy, 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 university rankings paint a clear picture: Lagos dominates, OAU has made a stunning comeback, and UNILORIN’s era at the top is — at least for now — over. The historic entry of UNIPORT into the top 10 is also a landmark moment for South-South Nigeria. If you applied to any of these schools, use your UTME score wisely, prepare for Post-UTME, and verify your institution’s cut-off mark on the JAMB portal at jamb.gov.ng.
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