5 Most Patronized Universities In Nigeria

Are you curious to know which university has the most patronage? For the third time in a row, the University of Ilorin, Nigeria tops the list of most sought-after universities for the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations.

RNN will be discussing 5 most sought-after universities in Nigeria which are according to the presentation by the Registrar of the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, during the 2023 policy meeting, the top institutions were recognised due to the attraction of the high number of applicants during the 2023 UTME application period.

Other universities in this list include the University of Benin, the University of Nigeria, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigerian Defence Academy and the University of Ibadan. But in this article, we are going to be focusing on the 5 universities below;

5. Nnamdi Azikwe University – 10,736 Students Admitted

Nnamdi Azikiwe University,  also called UNIZIK or NAU, is a federal university in Nigeria. It consists of two campuses in Anambra State. Its main campus is in Awka (the capital of Anambra State), while its other campus is in Nnewi. The university is named after the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. The university’s academic staff belong to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The staff union is known to grant scholarships to indigent students just like other philanthropists. It has a total population of about 34,000 students.

4. University of Calabar – 10,888 Students Admitted

The University of Calabar is a public university situated in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. It is one of Nigeria’s second-generation federal universities. The University of Calabar was a campus of the University of Nigeria until 1975. The University of Calabar was one of the foremost Nigerian Universities to automate students’ registration processes through the College Portal. The University of Calabar is one of the most patronized universities by admission seekers.

3. University of Maiduguri – 11,416 Student Admitted

The University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) is a Federal higher institution located in Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno State in Northeast Nigeria. The university was created by the federal government of Nigeria in 1975, with the intention of becoming one of the country’s principal higher-education institutions. It enrols about 25,000 students in its combined programs, which include a college of medicine and faculties of agriculture, arts, law, etc… The university is the major higher institution of learning in the northeastern part of the country, hence it’s one of the most patronized universities in Nigeria.

2. University of Benin – 12,336 Students Admitted

University of Benin (UNIBEN) is a public research university located in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. It is among the universities owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria and was founded in 1970. The school currently has two campuses with fifteen faculties including a central library called the John Harris Library. 

1. University of Ilorin – 13,634 Students Admitted

University of Ilorin, also known as Unilorin, is a federal government-owned university in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. It was established by a decree of the federal military government in August 1975. The establishment aimed to implement one of the educational directives of the Third National Development Plan, which was aimed at providing more opportunities for Nigerians aspiring to acquire a university education and to generate high-level manpower, which is vital for the rapidly expanding economy.

It is reported by the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) to be the most sought-after Nigerian university in 2021. And again in 2023, it was announced by the JAMB Head, Professor Ishaq Oloyede to be the sought-after University, for the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME), making it for the 10th consecutive year.

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