Every May, when JAMB releases its first-choice application statistics at its annual policy meeting, the Nigerian education space goes into something close to a frenzy. Parents start comparing notes. Candidates start second-guessing their choices. And school authorities start calculating what a surge in applications means for their cut-off marks.
This year’s numbers, officially released on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the 2026 JAMB Policy Meeting on Admissions in Abuja, delivered a few surprises and at least one historic shift that nobody in education circles will forget quickly. Here is everything you need to know about the top JAMB choice universities in 2026, why these schools dominate, and what the trend says about where Nigerian candidates are setting their sights.
The 2026 JAMB First-Choice Rankings at a Glance
Before going school by school, here is the complete top 10 list as released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board:
| Rank | University | First-Choice Applications | Share of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lagos State University (LASU) | 84,426 | 3.76% |
| 2 | University of Lagos (UNILAG) | 78,240 | 3.49% |
| 3 | Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) | 60,370 | 2.69% |
| 4 | University of Ibadan (UI) | 58,895 | 2.63% |
| 5 | University of Benin (UNIBEN) | 55,425 | 2.47% |
| 6 | Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) | 54,085 | 2.41% |
| 7 | University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) | 52,514 | 2.34% |
| 8 | University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) | 51,660 | 2.30% |
| 9 | Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) | 48,272 | 2.15% |
| 10 | University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) | 48,199 | 2.15% |
Now let’s get into the details.
1. Lagos State University (LASU) — 84,426 Applications
LASU holds the number one spot for the second consecutive year, and the margin at the top is not narrow. With 84,426 first-choice applications representing 3.76% of all submissions nationwide, the Ojo-based institution has turned what once looked like a one-year curiosity into a genuine trend.
What makes this more remarkable is where LASU was just three years ago. Before 2023, the university did not feature in Nigeria’s top ten most-applied-to schools at all. It moved to third place in 2023 with over 55,000 applications, jumped to second in 2024, climbed to first in 2025, and has now defended that position in 2026 with its highest application count yet.
Proximity to Lagos’s enormous population base is the obvious factor. But LASU’s rapid improvement in infrastructure, its expanding academic programmes, and a growing reputation for producing employable graduates have clearly pushed it past simple geography as an explanation. For candidates from Ogun, Oyo, and the wider Southwest, LASU increasingly looks like a credible first choice rather than a fallback option.
2. University of Lagos (UNILAG) — 78,240 Applications
UNILAG has never really left the top two. It ranked second in 2025, third in 2024, and second in 2023, an institution that Nigerian candidates consistently trust despite its notoriously competitive departmental cut-off marks.
At 78,240 applications, it remains the default ambition for hundreds of thousands of candidates who grew up watching UNILAG alumni dominate law, medicine, engineering, and the arts. Its Yaba location, right in the middle of Nigeria’s commercial capital, makes it attractive not just academically but practically, with proximity to internships, law firms, hospitals, and financial institutions that many students use while still enrolled.
UNILAG’s post-UTME process is intense, and the school’s admission figures are far lower than its application numbers. But that gap between demand and supply has arguably made being a UNILAG student more coveted, not less.
3. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) — 60,370 Applications
OAU’s jump this year is the story that has people talking. The Ile-Ife institution spent 2023, 2024, and 2025 sitting in ninth place before rocketing to third in 2026 with 60,370 applications, a rise that few analysts predicted.
Earlier in the data history, OAU ranked seventh in 2022 and 2023, which made its stretch in ninth place look like a gradual slide. The 2026 numbers suggest a correction, perhaps driven by growing awareness of its research output and consistently strong results in professional courses like Law, Medicine, and Architecture. Some education observers point to JAMB’s own transparency initiatives, making it easier for candidates outside OAU’s immediate catchment area to consider it seriously.
Whether this is the start of a new run at the top or a one-year correction remains to be seen. But 60,370 is a number that demands attention.
4. University of Ibadan (UI) — 58,895 Applications
Nigeria’s oldest university has climbed steadily in recent years. UI sat in tenth place in 2022 and 2023, moved to sixth in 2024 and 2025, and is now fourth in 2026. That kind of consistent upward mobility over a four-year window is not accidental; it usually reflects a shift in how candidates and families perceive the institution.
UI’s research pedigree, its postgraduate reputation, and its association with some of Nigeria’s most distinguished academics have always been known. What seems to have changed is a broader awareness among younger candidates who may have previously underestimated it relative to UNILAG or LASU. For anyone interested in Medicine, Pharmacy, or the basic sciences, UI remains one of the most serious choices in the country.
5. University of Benin (UNIBEN) — 55,425 Applications
UNIBEN’s rise from eighth in 2024 and 2025 to fifth in 2026 is another notable shift. The Benin City institution has long been a powerhouse in the South-South region and is particularly known for its Law and Medical programmes.
It ranked third in 2021 and fifth in 2022, so returning to the top five feels more like a restoration than a surprise. Its strength in professional courses and its status as the dominant university across Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, and neighbouring states give it a reliable application base. With 55,425 first-choice picks, UNIBEN is clearly back in the conversation at the top of Nigerian admissions.
6. Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) — 54,085 Applications
UNIZIK has been remarkably consistent. It ranked fifth in 2024 and 2025, was eighth in 2023, third in 2022, and fourth in 2021. A slight drop to sixth this year does not change the picture much, the university remains a dependable first choice for candidates across Anambra State and the broader Southeast.
Its multiple campuses, wide programme spread, and accessibility relative to the older federal universities make it a natural destination for candidates who want a federal university experience without the extreme competition of UI or UNILAG. At 54,085 applications, it continues to punch well above what its age or resource base might suggest.
7. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) — 52,514 Applications
This is where the most dramatic story of the 2026 rankings sits. For years, specifically from 2021 all the way through 2024, UNILORIN held the number one position among Nigerian universities by first-choice applications. It had become almost synonymous with being Nigeria’s most applied-to university.
Then in 2025, it dropped to third. And in 2026, it had fallen further to seventh, with 52,514 applications.
There is no single explanation for a shift this steep, but a few things stand out. LASU’s rise has absorbed a significant portion of Southwest candidates who might previously have chosen UNILORIN as a relatively accessible federal alternative to UNILAG. A perception shift around UNILORIN’s admission competitiveness, particularly after years of it being at the top, may also have led some candidates to recalibrate. Whatever the cause, the drop from first to seventh in two years is the kind of change that UNILORIN’s administration will want to study carefully.
8. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) — 51,660 Applications
UNN occupies eighth place with 51,660 applicants, holding a position that has been remarkably stable over the years. It ranked seventh in 2024 and 2025, sixth in 2023, and eighth in 2022, UNN essentially moves one or two spots in either direction without ever straying far from the middle of this table.
Founded in 1960 as Nigeria’s first indigenous university, UNN carries a historical significance that continues to resonate with families, particularly in the Southeast. It consistently draws candidates through its Engineering, Social Sciences, and Agricultural Sciences programmes, and its alumni network has a presence in virtually every professional sector in Nigeria.
9. Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) — 48,272 Applications
FUOYE’s presence in this list often surprises people encountering it for the first time. The Ekiti State institution ranked fourth in 2023, 2024, and 2025 before slipping to ninth this year, still a top-ten finish that most Nigerian universities can only dream about.
Part of FUOYE’s appeal is practical: it is newer than most universities on this list, which means its facilities in many departments are relatively modern. It also draws students from across the Southwest who prefer a less congested environment than Lagos-based institutions while still attending a federal university. Its 48,272 applications confirm that its audience remains large and loyal, even if the rankings have shifted around it.
10. University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) — 48,199 Applications
UNIPORT closes the top ten, separated from FUOYE in ninth place by only 73 applications, essentially a statistical tie. The Rivers State institution is the anchor of university education in Nigeria’s South-South region and has historically attracted strong numbers through its Engineering, Petroleum, and Science-related programmes.
Oil and gas remain central to Port Harcourt’s identity as a city, and that industry pulls significant academic interest toward UNIPORT’s technical departments. With 48,199 first-choice applications, it maintains its relevance even as the table around it shifts.
What the 2026 Rankings Tell Us About Nigerian Candidates
A few things are worth noting beyond the individual school numbers.
State universities are no longer the second choice: LASU’s position at the top for two consecutive years marks a genuine shift in how candidates evaluate state versus federal institutions. For a long time, federal universities occupied the top spots almost by default. That assumption no longer holds.
Southwest candidates drive the numbers: Six of the ten schools on this list are in the South-South or Southwest geopolitical zones. Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Edo, Anambra, Rivers, and Kwara account for the bulk of the top applications, which also reflects population density and the historically higher tertiary enrollment rates in the southern states.
UNILORIN’s fall is real and significant: Losing the top spot is one thing; dropping five positions in two years is another. It will be one of the stories education analysts revisit when the 2027 data arrives.
Competition at the top is tightening: The gap between first place and tenth place has narrowed. In previous years, the difference between UNILORIN at the top and the tenth school was more pronounced. Now, nine out of ten schools on this list sit between 48,000 and 84,000 applications, a spread that suggests competitive pressure is spreading across more institutions rather than concentrating at two or three.
Key Dates for 2026 Admission
At the same policy meeting where these rankings were released, JAMB also confirmed that the minimum cut-off mark for universities in 2026 remains 150. The admission deadline for public universities is October 31, 2026, while private universities have until November 30. Candidates have a four-week grace period to accept or reject admissions through the CAPS portal.
For anyone whose first-choice school appears on this list, keep those dates visible.
The 2026 data confirms what anyone paying attention to Nigerian higher education over the past three years has sensed: the landscape is changing faster than it used to, and candidates are choosing with more information than previous generations had. Whether LASU can hold on to the top spot in 2027, and whether UNILORIN can recover any ground, are the two questions worth watching as the next admission cycle builds.
