By Ayomide Otitoju
Lagos State University (LASU) has retained its position as Nigeria’s most sought-after university in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), according to data released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The institution attracted 84,426 applicants, ranking ahead of other top universities, including the University of Lagos with 78,240 candidates, Obafemi Awolowo University with 60,370, the University of Ibadan with 58,895, and the University of Benin with 55,425.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the development as a testament to LASU’s rising academic profile and reaffirmed his administration’s goal of positioning the institution among the world’s top 10 universities.
He attributed the achievement to sustained investment in education under the state’s THEMES Plus agenda, as well as improved infrastructure, teaching quality, and institutional reforms.
Sanwo-Olu commended LASU Vice-Chancellor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello for her leadership, noting that her reforms have strengthened academic standards and enhanced the university’s reputation both nationally and internationally.
He urged staff and students to sustain the momentum and continue building on the institution’s growing status as a leading centre of academic excellence in Nigeria.
