LASU overtakes UNILORIN as varsity of first choice

 Lagos State University has emerged as the most sought-after tertiary institution in Nigeria, according to new data released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

Lagos

The data was unveiled on Tuesday during the JAMB Policy Meeting held in Abuja.

It revealed that LASU has overtaken the University of Ilorin, which previously held the top spot for several years.

According to the statistics, the University of Lagos ranked as the second most preferred university with 58,645 applicants, while UNILORIN fell to third place with 56,758 applicants.

UNILORIN’s long-standing appeal among candidates of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination has been attributed to its stable academic calendar and minimal disruptions due to industrial actions—factors that once gave it an edge over other public institutions.

FG sets admission age at 16

Also, the Federal Government has formally set 16 years as the minimum age for admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced this on Tuesday during the Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board held in Abuja.

Alausa, while declaring the meeting open, emphasised that the age benchmark is now official and non-negotiable.

He warned that any admission carried out outside the Central Admissions Processing System would be considered illegal.

“The issue of age at entry into tertiary institutions has generated much debate, but our position is clear.

“The entry age for admission into tertiary institutions is now officially pegged at 16 years.

“It was reduced from 18, which was to be effective from this year’s exercise, to the need for this compliance,” Alausa said.

He explained that the decision was guided by the need to strike a balance between academic readiness and cognitive maturity.

“This policy decision reflects a balance between cognitive maturity and academic preparedness.

“Sixteen years of age for admission is non-negotiable. Institutions are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance,” he added.

Alausa noted that while the policy would be strictly enforced, exceptions could be made in rare and justifiable cases.

“We understand there may be a few exceptional cases, and provisions have already been made for legitimate exceptions, especially for gifted children or those with accelerated educational progress.

“However, this must be demonstrated and documented, and it must be justified,” Alausa said.

He also warned against attempts to manipulate age records to beat the new directive.

In his words, “The ministry is firm in its resolve, and those attempting to circumvent this policy by altering age records will be sanctioned accordingly.”

Alausa further stated that heads of institutions found culpable of admission fraud or circumventing CAPS would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

In 2024, the then Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, had directed JAMB and tertiary institutions to stop admitting candidates below the age of 18.

The policy faced widespread criticism and was later revised to allow admission from age 16, following pressure from education stakeholders.

The JAMB annual policy meeting sets guidelines for the conduct of admissions into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education for the coming academic session.

VCs set admission benchmark at 150 for varsities

In the same vein, Heads of universities at the 2025 policy meeting organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board set the 2025 minimum admission benchmark for universities at 150 on Tuesday.

This means that JAMB will permit no university in the country to admit any candidate who scores below 150 in the 2025 Unified Tertiary and Matriculation Examination.

However, certain institutions like the University of Ibadan, Pan-Atlantic University, and the University of Lagos, among others, set their benchmark at 200.

Certain newly established private universities proposed UTME scores of 120.

However, the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, suggested 160.

Anambra candidate emerges 2025 UTME top scorer amidst discrepancy probe

Also, Okeke Chinedu from Anambra State has emerged the top scorer of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination with 375 score.

However, Oloyede noted that the board realised some discrepancies regarding Okeke, who applied for mechanical engineering at the University of Lagos.

According to Oloyede, data from JAMB revealed that Okeke was admitted to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka’s department of medicine four years ago.

Oloyede noted that JAMB wrote UNN for clarification about the student, and the institution revealed that Okeke was admitted and was doing fine.

He also stated that there was no detail on whether Okeke was withdrawn or not.

Oloyede, however, stressed that the board has written the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to ensure that Okeke is not allowed to practice medicine under the circumstances.

Ayuba Simon-Peter came second with 374; Jimoh Abdulmalik with 373; Roberts Damiete with 373; Ononugbo Chigozirim, 373; Olawepo Gertrude with 373; Afinotan Leslie, 373; Azoyenime Samuel, 373, and Oyebode Oluwapelumi with 373.

Anambra, Imo top list of UTME exam malpractice centres — JAMB

Meanwhile, data released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board on Tuesday revealed that Computer-Based Test Centres in Imo and Anambra States topped the list of CBT Centres nabbed for fingerprinting malpractices.

In total, about 19 centres were nabbed nationwide, with Anambra having six, Imo with four, Abia with one, Edo with one, Kano with two centres, Ebonyi, Delta, Kaduna, Rivers and Enugu with one centre each.

The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, during his presentation, also noted that impersonators also made use of albinos for the purpose of image bending and remote uploads, among others.