The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the list of the most preferred tertiary institutions by candidates who sat for the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). For the fifth consecutive year, the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) emerged as the most preferred institution, reflecting its continued popularity among prospective undergraduates.
According to the data presented during an ongoing policy meeting chaired by the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, UNILORIN topped the list with 64,143 applicants, followed closely by Lagos State University (LASU) with 62,601 applicants, and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) with 59,105 applicants.
Interestingly, while LASU ranked second this year, it had previously never appeared in the top 10 list of most preferred institutions. Meanwhile, UNILAG, which consistently ranked second in 2023, 2022, and 2021, secured the third spot this year.
Full List of Top Preferred Universities by Applicants:
- University of Ilorin, Kwara State: 64,143 applicants
- Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State: 62,601 applicants
- University of Lagos, Lagos State: 59,105 applicants
- Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State: 55,481 applicants
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State: 55,495 applicants
- University of Ibadan, Oyo State: 50,598 applicants
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State: 48,544 applicants
- University of Benin, Edo State: 47,811 applicants
- Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State: 44,155 applicants
- University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State: 40,176 applicants
Apart from scoring high marks in the UTME, candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities must also possess senior school certificate examination (SSCE) results with credits in five relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
During the policy meeting, Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, directed that only candidates aged 18 and above should be admitted into tertiary institutions. However, this directive faced immediate opposition from vice-chancellors, rectors, and provosts present at the meeting. They argued that many candidates had already written the UTME without prior notice of this age restriction.
Acknowledging their concerns, Mr. Mamman reversed the directive, allowing institutions to admit candidates aged 16 and above for the 2024/2025 academic session.
The release of this data by JAMB highlights key trends in applicants’ preferences for tertiary institutions in Nigeria. It also underscores the increasing appeal of universities such as LASU and the enduring popularity of institutions like UNILORIN and UNILAG.
The ongoing policy meeting continues to address critical issues related to admission processes, candidate eligibility, and institutional accountability, ensuring that transparency and fairness remain at the core of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
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