LASU is Most Sought After School by Admission Seekers in 2025
For the first time in over a decade, Lagos State University (LASU) has emerged as the most sought-after university in Nigeria based on applications received in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), displacing the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), which had held the position consistently since 2014.
Data released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) reveals a historic shift in preference among UTME applicants, as LASU topped the chart in 2025, ending UNILORIN’s unprecedented 11-year reign.
Since 2014, the University of Ilorin had dominated JAMB application statistics year after year, gaining a reputation as the top destination for aspiring university students in Nigeria. Known for its academic stability, relatively non-disruptive academic calendar, and central location, UNILORIN attracted the highest number of applicants annually for over a decade.
However, in a development seen by education stakeholders as both surprising and significant, Lagos State University surged ahead in 2025.
Analysts attribute this shift to LASU’s growing academic reputation, recent infrastructural upgrades, innovative student-centered policies, and its strategic location within Nigeria’s commercial capital.
UNILORIN, which had previously benefited from a reputation of uninterrupted academic calendars and high demand for admission, is still expected to receive a large volume of applications, but its long-standing grip on the top spot has now been broken.
While the full application figures for 2025 have not yet been made public, JAMB officials have confirmed that LASU narrowly edged out UNILORIN in total number of UTME applicants for the year.
This shift marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s higher education landscape, indicating changing preferences among tertiary education seekers and possibly reflecting broader trends in institutional development, student satisfaction, and state-level educational policy.
The coming years will reveal whether LASU can sustain its newfound position or if UNILORIN or another contender will reclaim the crown.
