UNILAG, LASU Emerge Students’ Top Choices for 2025 Admission

By Adenekan Oluwaseun

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the Lagos State University (LASU) emerged as students most preferred institutions for the 2025 Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exercise.

According to JAMB, the ranking was based on choices made by over two million candidates, who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

These most sought-after universities were confirmed by the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, during the JAMB policy meeting in Abuja on July 8th, 2025.

Among the top 10 preferred institutions as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), LASU is the only state-owned universities, while others are federal-owned.

The preferred institutions with their applicants includes, LASU with 70,080 applicants; UNILAG with 58,645 applicants; University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) with 56,758 applicants; and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) with 52,108 applicants.

Also on the list are Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) with 51,487 applicants; University of Ibadan (UI) with 47,571 applicants; University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) with 46,273 applicants; University of Benin (UNIBEN) with 45,868 applicants; Obafemi Awolowo University ( OAU) with 45, 777 applicants; and the Federal University, Lafia with 42,962 applicants.

Prof. Oloyede highlighted a significant policy shift, stating, “The UTME is not an achievement test, rather it is a ranking exam.” This means that a candidate’s admission chances depend not just on their score, but how it is compared to others.

Additionally, JAMB has set the minimum admission UTME scores for universities at 150 for the 2025/2026 academic session. However, institutions are permitted to adopt higher benchmarks, based on their criteria. Colleges of Education and Polytechnics will admit from 100 and above, while colleges of nursing sciences from 140 and above.

The minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa has also established 16 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

The age limit aims to match students’ cognitive maturity with the academic and social expectations of higher education. While exceptionally gifted, academically advanced students may be exempt, institutions must provide clear justification for such admissions.