By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
NIGERIA’s MOST sought-after tertiary institution for the 2025 academic session is Lagos State University (LASU), based on official data released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) during its ongoing Policy Meeting in Abuja.
The annual forum, which sets admission benchmarks and evaluates progress across the sector, provided a detailed breakdown of candidate choices during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) cycle.
Statistics from JAMB reveal that LASU recorded the highest number of applicants nationwide, solidifying its position as a leading destination for higher education in Nigeria.
Closely trailing in second place is the University of Lagos (UNILAG), with 58,643 candidates listing it as their first choice.
The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) followed with 56,758 applicants, while the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) secured 52,108 applicants.
The figures reflect not only institutional popularity but also shifting trends in student preferences amid growing competition among universities to attract the best talent.
With over 1.9 million candidates registering for the 2025 UTME, the concentration of applications among these top institutions stresses their growing reputation in teaching quality, infrastructure, and employability prospects.
Further updates from the Policy Meeting are expected to include the official cut-off marks for the year’s admissions into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
The session also serves as a key interface between regulatory bodies, institutional representatives, and other education stakeholders charting the course for Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape.
As the admission season progresses, JAMB says attention will remain fixed on how institutions respond to surging demand, student expectations, and policy direction shaped by this high-level gathering.

