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:

Dzekwe Chinedu Chielotan – 379 (UNILAG, Mechanical Engineering)

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

Jimoh Abdulmutalib Olayinka – 374 (UNILAG, Mechanical Engineering)

Roberts Daniels Ayiba – 373 (UNILAG, Mechanical Engineering)

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

Olawoye Garrudee Tumise – 371 (UNILAG, Mechanical Engineering)

Afiunu Ofeoritse Leslie – 369 (COVENANT, Computer Science)

Azayiseme Samuel Chukwumeka – 369 (COVENANT, Mechanical Engineering)

Oyelude Oluwapemisi Emmanuel – 369 (OAU, Aerospace Engineering)

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:

Lagos State University (LASU) – 79,000

University of Lagos (UNILAG) – 58,645

University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) – 56,734

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

Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) – 51,467

University of Ibadan (UI) – 48,291

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

University of Benin (UNIBEN) – 45,686

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) – 43,777

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