Top 10 Most Sought-After Universities in Nigeria – 2025 JAMB Policy Shake-Up!

The 2025 JAMB Policy Meeting has brought major changes that every student, parent, and education stakeholder in Nigeria must pay attention to. From new admission timelines to a shift in how UTME scores are interpreted, the game has officially changed.

🔍 JAMB 2025: It’s Now About Ranking, Not Just Scoring

Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the JAMB Registrar, made it clear:

“JAMB is not an achievement test; it is a ranking exam.”

This means it’s not just your UTME score that matters anymore — how your score compares nationally is now the deciding factor.

Every JAMB result slip will now include:

• Your raw UTME score

• Your national ranking among all candidates

📊 Examples:

• A candidate with 370 ranked only 16th

• A candidate with 200 ranked 533,005th

• A score of 140 = over 1.5 millionth rank

#Takeaway: Focus on your ranking, not just the number on your result slip.

🧠 Top 10 UTME Candidates for 2025 Revealed!

Meet the highest scorers of the year and where they applied:

1. Dzekwe Chinedu Chielotan – 379 (UNILAG, Mechanical Engineering)

2. Ayuba Simon-Peter John – 378 (UNILAG, Mechanical Engineering)

3. Jimoh Abdulmutalib Olayinka – 374 (UNILAG, Mechanical Engineering)

4. Roberts Daniels Ayiba – 373 (UNILAG, Mechanical Engineering)

5. Ononogbu Chigozirim Chibuozor – 373 (UNILAG, Elect/Elect Engineering)

6. Olawoye Garrudee Tumise – 371 (UNILAG, Mechanical Engineering)

7. Afiunu Ofeoritse Leslie – 369 (COVENANT, Computer Science)

8. Azayiseme Samuel Chukwumeka – 369 (COVENANT, Mechanical Engineering)

9. Oyelude Oluwapemisi Emmanuel – 369 (OAU, Aerospace Engineering)

10. Omigie Osaiogho Cecil – 367 (UI, Mechanical Engineering)

💡 Mechanical Engineering at UNILAG clearly dominated — a hot choice among top candidates.

🎓 Top 10 Most Sought-After Universities in Nigeria – 2025

These universities attracted the highest number of first-choice applicants:

1. Lagos State University (LASU) – 79,000

2. University of Lagos (UNILAG) – 58,645

3. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) – 56,734

4. Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) – 52,103

5. Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) – 51,467

6. University of Ibadan (UI) – 48,291

7. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) – 46,542

8. University of Benin (UNIBEN) – 45,686

9. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) – 43,777

10. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) – 43,248

📌 More applicants = More competition, especially in Medicine, Law, and Engineering.

✅ Official Cut-Off Marks for 2025 Admissions

• Federal/State Universities: 150

• Colleges of Nursing: 140

• Polytechnics: 100

• Colleges of Agriculture/Education: 100

🗓️ Admission Deadlines (2025/2026 Academic Session)

• Public Universities: Must finalize admissions by October 2025

• Private Institutions: Deadline extends to November–December 2025

⏳ JAMB Admission Offers Have Expiry Dates!

• If JAMB recommends you → school must respond within 2 weeks

• If a school offers you admission → you must accept within 4 weeks

⚠️ Delay = Lost admission opportunity.

🚫 JAMB Tightens Rules Against “Runs” and Backdoor Admissions

• Schools must admit 90% of candidates on merit

• “Connection-based” (exemption mode) admissions limited to 10%

• Enforcement is now stricter than ever

📉 Minimum Age for Admission Still 16 Years

No matter how high your UTME score is, underage candidates are not eligible for university admission.

🩺 Medicine Remains the Most Competitive Course

Over 570,000 applicants chose medical-related programs, but only about 115,000 slots are available.

➡️ That’s less than 1 in 5 being admitted.

📌 Backup plans are essential for aspiring medics.

📣 Final Advice to Students and Parents

The 2025 JAMB admission model demands strategic thinking:

• Scoring 300+ is good — but your national rank matters more

• Stay informed and respond quickly to all offers

• Choose schools and courses wisely based on demand and competitiveness