Governor Sanwo‑Olu praises LASU for remaining Nigeria’s most sought‑after university.

• Reiterates goal to make LASU one of top 10 varsities globally

Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu of Lagos State said he is pleased that Lagos State University (LASU) has again confirmed its position as a leading centre of academic excellence by emerging as the most sought‑after university in Nigeria in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Sanwo‑Olu praised LASU for leading the list of most‑preferred institutions in the 2026 UTME and restated his administration’s ambition to place LASU among the world’s top ten universities.

He noted that the university’s improved performance reflects the Lagos State Government’s emphasis on creating an academic environment that promotes prosperity.

Data released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) show that LASU, the state‑owned university, received 84,426 applications, putting it at the top of Nigeria’s most preferred tertiary institutions.

The achievement marks a historic point in the university’s 41‑year history and reinforces its growing reputation as a hub of academic innovation, discipline and global competitiveness.

According to the same JAMB data, LASU secured the first position with 84,426 applicants, while the University of Lagos (UNILAG) ranked second with 78,240 applicants.

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) placed third with 60,370 applicants, and the University of Ibadan and University of Benin followed in fourth and fifth places with 58,895 and 55,425 applicants respectively.

Sanwo‑Olu commended LASU for its high ranking, describing the university as a beacon of excellence and the most sought‑after institution in the country.

He attributed LASU’s notable achievements to “visionary leadership, dedicated faculty, and students,” supported by the THEMES Plus Agenda, which focuses on funding and technological advancement.

The governor lauded LASU’s improved academic performance, the quality of its graduates and its top‑tier infrastructure, and affirmed that the state‑owned institution will continue to shape the future of young Nigerians.

He specifically praised LASU’s Vice‑Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji‑Bello, for her role in enhancing the university’s rankings.

Sanwo‑Olu said Olatunji‑Bello’s leadership has been a “game‑changer” in university administration, introducing innovative learning approaches and elevating LASU to greater heights, which has attracted both national and international recognition.

He also urged staff and students to maintain the effort required to keep LASU’s status as Nigeria’s most sought‑after institution.

In recent years, under Professor Olatunji‑Bello’s direction, LASU has implemented a series of reforms aimed at raising academic standards, upgrading infrastructure, deepening research activities and fostering a student‑centred learning environment. These initiatives have been reflected in LASU’s consistent placement among the top performers in national and international academic rankings.