As the dust settles on the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), new data reveals the universities that captured the highest number of applicants across Nigeria.
These institutions continue to stand out for their academic reputation, competitive programmes, and growing appeal among prospective undergraduates.
According to the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) report, here are the top 10 most sought-after universities in the 2025 UTME, and what makes them the for leading choices students nationwide.
Lagos State University (LASU):
Lagos State University (LASU) is a public university established in 1983 by the Lagos State Government.
It is located in Ojo area of the state, and has other campuses in Ikeja and Epe. The university’s mission is to be a “citadel of learning” with excellence in teaching, research, and service to humanity.
In the 2025 UTME, LASU had 79,000 applicants that made the institution its first choice.
The University of Lagos (UNILAG):
The University of Lagos is a public research university located in Akoka-Lagos, which was founded in 1962. UNILAG is one of the first generation universities in Nigeria and is ranked among the top universities in Africa in major education publications.
The university is one of three tertiary institutions from Nigeria listed in QS Global University Rankings recently. In the 2025 UTME, UNILAG had 58, 645 candidates that made it their first choices.
University of Ilorin (UNILORIN):
University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) is a federal government-owned public research university in Ilorin, Kwara State. The university’s main campus sits on an expansive area of land, about 5,000 hectares in the ancient city of Ilorin; making it the country’s largest university, and one of the largest in Africa by landmass.
It was established in 1975, by a decree of the Federal Military Government.
The university had 56,734 candidates that made it their first choice in 2025 UTME.
Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE):
Federal University Oye-Ekiti, is a federal government-owned and operated university. The university has two campuses located in the ancient cities of Oye-Ekiti and Ikole-Ekiti respectively.
The university had 52,103 candidates that made the institution their first choice in the 2025 UTME.
Read also: Okeke Chinedu tops 2025 UTME as JAMB unveils best 10 candidates
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK):
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) is a federal university located in Awka, Anambra State. It was established in 1991 and named after Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first President of Nigeria.
The university has multiple campuses, including the main campus in Awka and others in Nnewi, Agulu, and Ifite-Ogwuari. It received a total of 51,467 applicants that preferred it to other universities.
The University of Ibadan (UI):
The University of Ibadan (UI) is Nigeria’s oldest degree-awarding institution, established in 1948 as University College, Ibadan, and later becoming an independent university in 1962.
The university has played a significant role in Nigeria’s development, particularly in education, through its extensive network of graduates.
It received a total of 48,291 applicants preferring it as their first choice in 2025 UTME.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN):
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is federal institution located in Nsukka, and was founded by Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1955, but was officially opened in 1960.
The university has a student population of 46,542, in the 2025 UTME. It is known as the first indigenous university in Nigeria.
University of Benin (UNIBEN):
The University of Benin (UNIBEN) is a government owned tertiary institution, established in 1970, by the then Colonel Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia-led military administration of Midwest State.
The University was established, first as Midwest Institute of Technology, but was commissioned as a university by NUC in 1971.
The Institution became a federal government owned university on April 1, 1975. The University had 45,686 candidates that preferred it as their first choice in 2025 UTME.
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU):
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife is one of three universities established in 1961.
On June 8, 1961 the Law providing for the establishment of the Provisional Council of the university was formally inaugurated under the chairmanship of Rotimi Williams.
In the 2025 UTME, the university had 43,777 applicants making it their first choice institution.
