New data from the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) report, released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), highlights the universities that attracted the highest number of first-choice applicants across Nigeria.
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These institutions continue to draw prospective undergraduates due to their strong academic reputations, competitive programs, and growing appeal.
Here are the top 9 most preferred universities in the 2025 UTME:
1. Lagos State University (LASU)
- Applicants: 79,000
- About: Established in 1983 by the Lagos State Government, LASU is a public university with campuses in Ojo, Ikeja, and Epe. Its mission emphasizes excellence in teaching, research, and community service.
2. University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- Applicants: 58,645
- About: Founded in 1962, UNILAG is a prominent public research university located in Akoka, Lagos. As one of Nigeria’s first-generation universities, it consistently ranks among Africa’s top institutions in major educational publications and was recently listed in the QS Global University Rankings.
3. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
- Applicants: 56,734
- About: A federal government-owned public research university established in 1975 in Ilorin, Kwara State. Its main campus spans approximately 5,000 hectares, making it Nigeria’s and one of Africa’s largest universities by landmass.
4. Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE)
- Applicants: 52,103
- About: A federal government-owned university with campuses in Oye-Ekiti and Ikole-Ekiti.
5. Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)
- Applicants: 51,467
- About: Named after Nigeria’s first President, Nnamdi Azikiwe University is a federal university established in 1991 in Awka, Anambra State, with additional campuses in Nnewi, Agulu, and Ifite-Ogwuari.
6. University of Ibadan (UI)
- Applicants: 48,291
- About: Nigeria’s oldest degree-awarding institution, founded in 1948 as University College, Ibadan, and gaining independence in 1962. UI has significantly contributed to Nigeria’s development through its extensive network of graduates, particularly in education.
7. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
- Applicants: 46,542
- About: A federal institution in Nsukka, founded by Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1955 and officially opened in 1960. UNN holds the distinction of being Nigeria’s first indigenous university.
8. University of Benin (UNIBEN)
- Applicants: 45,686
- About: A government-owned tertiary institution established in 1970 as the Midwest Institute of Technology, commissioned as a university in 1971, and became federal on April 1, 1975.
9. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- Applicants: 43,777
- About: One of three universities established in 1961, with its Provisional Council formally inaugurated on June 8, 1961, under the chairmanship of Rotimi Williams.
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