Application for the 2014/2015 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) ended in March 2014, over 1.6 million candidates selected their preferred institution of choice hoping one of these institutions offer them admission soon.

1. Most Sought-After
Tertiary Institutions
In Nigeria

2. Application for the 2014/2015 Unified Tertiary Matriculation
Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admission and
Matriculation Board (JAMB) ended in March 2014, over 1.6
million candidates selected their preferred institution of choice
hoping one of these institutions offer them admission soon.
UTME 2014/2015 saw a change in the usual first and second
choice of institution allowed by JAMB, candidate now have only
first choice in each of the four categories:
I. Universities
II. Polytechnics / Monotechnics
III. Colleges of Education
IV. Innovative Enterprise Institutions
This implies each candidate selects one
Institution of choice from each category.

3. This analysis is carried out to establish:
 The most sought-after tertiary institutions across
each of the 4 categories identified earlier
 Likely change in choice of institution among
candidates from 2011/2012 till date
 Current trend of concentration of candidates
across Federal, State and Private universities
 The need for government to have a dynamic
budgetary allocation to institutions based on
changing needs
 Some career guidance to prospective Candidates
on their choice of institutions

4. 126 146 121 73
Categories of Tertiary Institutions
University Polytechnic /
Monotechnic
College of
Education
Innovative
Enterprise
Institution
This makes a total
of 466 Institutions
This on the average
means 3,500 Students
to a School

5. Student
per
Institution
INSTITUTION
University Poly/Mono
College of
Education
IEI
1
Student
12,954 11,179 13,489 22,358
 12,954 Students per University
 11,179 Students per Polytechnic / Monotechnic
 13,489 Students per College of Education
 22,358 Students per Innovative Enterprise Institution
AVERAGE NO. OF STUDENTS PER INSTITUTION

6. University
According to the National Universities Commission (NUC), there are 129
Universities in Nigeria, Federal – 40, State – 39, Private – 50. However, a total
of 126 are available for admission for 2014/2015 academic sessions.

7. NO. INSTITUTION APPLICATION
1 University Of Ilorin, Ilorin (UNILORIN) 109,484
2 Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK) 77,626
3 University Of Benin, Benin City (UNIBEN) 76,928
4 University Of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) 69,838
5 University Of Lagos (UNILAG) 61,930
6 Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife, (OAU) 60,402
7 Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU) 52,533
8 Imo State University, Owerri (IMSU) 45,761
9 University Of Jos, Jos (UNIJOS) 44,845
10 University Of Ibadan, Ibadan (UI) 42,340
11 University Of Uyo, (UNIUYO) 41,947
12 Bayero University, Kano (BAYERO) 40,195
13 University Of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT) 38,001
14 Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna (NDA) 35,171
15 Kogi State University, Anyigba (KOGSU) 35,111
16 University Of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB) 34,231
17 Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU) 34,208
18 University Of Calabar, Calabar (UNICAL) 33,931
19 Benue State University, Makurdi (BENSU) 32,062
20 Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (EKPOMA) 28,567

8. UNILORIN
UNIZIK
UNIBEN
UNN
UNILAG
109,484
77,626
76,928
69,838
61,930
The University of Ilorin is the most
Sought-after University in UTME
2014/2015 academic Sessions
The first University in Nigeria to cross the 100,000 mark!

9. INSTITUTIONS APPLICATION TIMELINE
2011/2012
2012/2013
UNILAG
ABU UNN UNIZIK UNIBEN
94,078
89,310
82,043 80,275
74,269
UNILAG
UNIZIK UNIBEN UNN UNILORIN
84,326
82,384
80,216 79,842
78,265
2013/2014
UNIBEN
UNILORIN
UNIZIK UNILAG
UNN
98,975
94,869
88,087 86,850
80,785

10. AVERAGE APPLICATION (2011 – 2014)
INSTITUTION
APPLICATION
AVG
2014/15 2013/14 2012/13 2011/12
UNILORIN 109,484 94,869 78,265 64,261 86,720
UNIZIK 77,626 88,087 82,384 80,275 82,093
UNIBEN 76,928 98,975 80,216 74,269 82,597
UNN 69,838 80,785 79,842 82,043 78,127
UNILAG 61,930 86,850 84,326 94,078 81,796
In the last four years (2011 – 2014); on the
average, a total of 86,720 candidates have
applied to UNILORIN, making UNILORIN
the most sought-after Nigerian university.
UNIBEN, UNIZIK, UNILAG and UNN
follow in that order.

11. Other Most Sought-after Institutions:
 Imo State University is the most sought-after State
university – 45,761 (UTME 2014/2015)
 Covenant University is the most sought-after Private
university – 3,315 (UTME 2014/2015)
 Federal University of Technology, Owerri is the most
sought-after Science & Technology university –
27,391
 Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta is the
most sought-after Agriculture university – 34,231
 Federal University, Lafia is the most sought-after of
the newly created 12 universities – 13,111

12. UNN
UNILORIN
UNIBEN
UNIZIK
UNILAG
1st2nd3rd4th5th

13. Poly/Mono
There are 195 Polytechnics / Monotechnics
in Nigeria, Federal – 71, State – 99, Private –
25. However, a total of 146 were available
for admission for 2014/2015 academic
sessions.

14. NO. INSTITUTION APPLICATION
1 Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, 157,498
2 Yaba College of Tech, Yaba 108,032
3 Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi 98,080
4 Federal Polytechnic, Oko, 80,155
5 Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna 67,064
6 The Polytechnic, Ibadan, 66,025
7 Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Kwara State. 63,328
8 Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori 59,414
9 Federal Polytechnic, Nassarawa 59,282
10 Akwa-Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot-osurua 53,049
11 Kano State Polytechnic, Kano 46,997
12 Federal Polytechnic, Ede, 39,200
13 Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, 38,165
14 Federal Polytechnic, Ida 36,445
15 Institute of Mgt. And Tech, Enugu 36,003
16 Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta 35,164
17 Federal Polytechnic, Offa 32,844
18 Plateau State Polytechnic ,Barkin-ladi 32,369
19 Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Afikpo 31,889
20 Federal Polytechnic, Ado-ekiti, 31,696

15. Fed Poly, Nekede
Yabatech
Auchi Poly
Oko Poly
Kadpoly
157,498
108,032
80,155
98,080
67,064
Federal
Poly,
Nekede is
the most
sought-
after
Polytechnic
in Nigeria

16. INSTITUTIONS APPLICATION TIMELINE
2011/2012
2012/2013
2013/2014
Nekede Yabatech Auchi Kadpoly
Oko
145,173
119,011 101,806
52,607
98,704
Nekede Yabatech Auchi
Oko
Kadpoly
163,843
116,415 99,818
83,785
71,519
Nekede Yabatech Auchi
Oko
Kadpoly
170,616
138,066 113,895
89,693
71,638

17. AVERAGE APPLICATION (2011 – 2014)
INSTITUTION
APPLICATION
AVG
2014/15 2013/14 2012/13 2011/12
Nekede, 157,498 170,616 163,843 145,173 159,283
Yabatech 108,032 138,066 116,415 119,011 120,381
Auchi 98,080 113,895 99,818 101,806 103,400
Kaduna 80,155 71,638 71,519 98,704 80,504
Oko 67,064 89,693 83,785 52,607 73,287
In the last four years (2011 – 2014); on the
average, a total of 159,283 candidates
have applied to Federal Poly, Nekede, it
remains the most sought-after Nigerian
Polytechnic. YABATECH, AUCHI, KADUNA
and OKO follow in that order.

18. Other Most Sought-after Polytechnics:
 Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Kwara is the most
sought-after State Polytechnic– 63,328 (UTME
2014/2015)
 Fidei Polytechnic, Gboko is the most sought-after
Private university – 6, 333 (UTME 2014/2015)

19. 1st2nd3rd4th5thOKO
NEKEDE
YABATECH
AUCHI
KADUNA

20. Colleges of
Education
There are over 125 Colleges of Education in
Nigeria. However, a total of 121 are available for
admission for 2014/2015 academic sessions.

21. NO. INSTITUTION APPLICATION
1 Alvan Ikoku College Of Educ. Owerri 156,397
2 Adeniran Ogunsanya College Of Education, Otto 90,237
3 Adeyemi College Of Education, Ondo 91,532
4 Fed. College Of Educ. Zaria 56,595
5 Fed. College Of Educ.(tech.), Akoka 61,231
6 College Of Education, Port Harcourt 55,170
7 Fct College Of Education, Zub 47,450
8 Akwa-ibom State College Of Education, Afaha-nsit 46,469
9 Fed. College Of Educ. , Abeokuta 44,059
10 College Of Education, Ekiadolo 43,975
11 Fed. College Of Educ. Pankshin, 33,723
12 Nwafor Orizu College Of Education, Nsugbe 42,867
13 College Of Education, Ilorin 41,007
14 Fed. College Of Education, Kano 29,326
15 College Of Education, Akwanga 26,509
16 College Of Education, Warri 34,029
17 Emmanuel Alayande College Of Education, Oyo 32,487
18 Enugu State College Of Education (tech.) Abakaliki 30,641
19 College Of Education, Agbor 28,321
20 College Of Education, Katsina-ala 23,561

22. FCE, Zaria
[71,376]
FCE, Akoka
[63,517]
Adeniran
Ogunsaya
[93,999]
Adeyemi
[93,445]
Alvan Ikoku
[159,259]
Alvan Ikoku College Of Education,
Owerri is the most sought-after
College of Education in Nigeria

23. INSTITUTIONS APPLICATION TIMELINE
2011/2012
2012/2013
2013/2014
141,111
98,517
104,530
80,113
69,756
Alvan
Ikoku Adeyemi Ogunsaya FCE,
Zaria
FCE,
Akoka
162,646
97,701
101,296
72,379
63,534
Alvan
Ikoku Adeyemi Ogunsaya FCE,
Akoka
FCE,
Zaria
176,749
105,840
112,150
77,577
67,483
Alvan
Ikoku
Ogunsanya
Adeyemi FCE,
Akoka
FCE,
Zaria

24. AVERAGE APPLICATION (2011 – 2014)
INSTITUTION
APPLICATION
AVG
2014/15 2013/14 2012/13 2011/12
ALVAN IKOKU 159,259 176,749 162,646 141,111 159,941
OGUNSANYA 93,999 112,150 97,701 98,517 100,592
ADEYEMI 93,445 105,840 101,296 104,530 101,278
FCE, ZARIA 71,376 67,483 63,534 80,113 70,627
FCE, AKOKA 63,517 77,577 72,379 69,756 70,807
In the last four years (2011 – 2014); on the
average, a total of 159,941candidates have
applied to Alvan Ikoku College of Education,
Owerri , it remains the most sought-after Nigerian
College of Education. Adeyemi, Ogunsanya, FCE-
Akoka, FCE-Zaria follow in that order.

25. 1st2nd3rd4th5th

26. Innovative Enterprise
Institution
A total of 73 Innovative Enterprise
Institutions are available for admission for
2014/2015 academic sessions.

27. NO. INSTITUTION APPLICATION
1 Ambassador College Of Mgmt &Tech, Port Harcourt 93,826
2 Afrihub ICT Institute, Abuja 89,260
3 Lagos City Computer College, Lagos 87,351
4 Kaduna Business School, Kaduna 78,793
5 Aflon Digital Institute, Abuja 78,467
6 Innovation Institute of Technology, Kaduna 74,721
7 IMFI, ICT Academy, Uyo 63,187
8 Buckingham Academy of Management & Tech, Anambra 51,133
9 Calvary Foundation Institute of Tech, Enugu 47,912
10 Innovation Institute of Technology, Akure, Ondo State 44,608
11 PEFTI Film Institute, Lagos 42,851
12 Dialogue Computer Institute, Katsina, Katsina State 40,025
13 South-eastern College of Engineering & Info. Tech, Owerri 38,666
14 School Of Banking Honours, Lagos 37,981
15 Metropolitan Institute Of Tech, Benin City, Edo 32,066
16 Dalewares Institute Of Technology, Surulere, Lagos 30,634
17 Arewa Paralegal Innovation Enterprise, Kaduna 28,905
18 Business Education Examination Council,Apapa, Lagos 28,212
19 Aquatech Institute Of Fisheries Management, Ibadan 28,156
20 National Film Institute, Jos, Plateau State 26,823

28. AFLON
[78,467]
Lagos City
[87,351]
KADUNA
BIZSCH.
[78,793]
AFRIHUB
[89,260]
Ambassador
[93,826]
Ambassador College of Management & Technology,
Port Harcourt is the most sought-after IEI

29. INSTITUTIONS APPLICATION TIMELINE
2011/2012
2012/2013
2013/2014
131
106114
103
26
Afrihub
Kad
Biz
Sch
Lagos
city Aflon
Amb
assad
or
87
81
65
30
Afrihub Aflon
Kad
Biz
Sch
Amb
assad
or
73
6263
44
33
Afrihub
Kad
Biz
Sch
Aflon
Amb
assad
or
Lagos
city

30. AVERAGE APPLICATION (2011 – 2014)
INSTITUTION
APPLICATION
AVG
2014/15 2013/14 2012/13 2011/12
AMBASSADOR 93,826 44 30 26 23,482
AFRIHUB 89,260 73 87 131 22,388
LAGOS CITY 87,351 33 106 29,163
KADBIZSCH 78,793 63 65 114 19,759
AFLON 78,467 62 81 103 19,678
In the last four years (2011 – 2014); on the average,
a total of 29,388 candidates have applied to Lagos
City Computer College, Lagos, it remains the most
sought-after Nigerian Innovative Enterprise
Instituties. Ambassador, Afrihub, Kaduna Biz Sch,
Aflon follow in that order.

31. 1st2nd3rd4th5thAFLON
LAGOSCITY
AMBASSADOR
AFRIHUB
KADBIZSCH

32. APPLICANTS’ UNIVERSITY CHOICES
BASED ON OWNERSHIP OF
INSTITUTION – FEDERAL, STATE, PRIVATE
40 39 50
Federal State Private

33. Ownership
Applicants Percentage
2014 2013 2012 2011 2014 2013 2012 2011
Federal 1,103,551 1,177,951 1,027,900 950,443 67.62 68.57 59.84 55.33
State 510,741 522,309 448,503 491,748 31.3 30.41 26.11 28.63
Private 17,634 17,549 23,299 37,645 1.08 1.02 1.36 2.19
 Most applicants prefer Federal universities for
obvious reasons of cost, infrastructure and capacity
 There is an increasing interest in State universities
 Still, Private Universities are yet to attract
considerable number of applicants due to cost of
tuition

34. BUDGETARY ALLOCATION
According to the University of Lagos Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon
Bello, government allocation should be according to Studentship. He
urged the Federal Government (FG) to replace the blanket funding of
universities with “per cost to training a student”.
“Universities will enjoy relative autonomy and become more focused if
they receive funds per student in their institutions and the funds would
be more efficiently utilized for the core businesses of the institutions”.
The funds made available by the FG were below the UNESCO
recommendation, the University of Lagos had increased funding from
N5.4bn in 2009 to N9.9bn in 2013. If the proposed arrangement holds,
Prof. Bello said, the university would receive N13bn from the Federal
Government for a student population of 27,876.
Source: The Punch Newspaper.
May 13, 2014 By Vincent Obia

35. The BIG5 refer to UI, UNN, ABU, OAU and UNILAG
ALLOCATION TO THE BIG5 & OTHERS
School 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
UI 12.30 13.62 13.48 13.03 7.72 6.76 6.37 5.41 5.90 4.05
UNILAG 9.67 11.77 10.45 9.51 5.72 6.21 5.95 4.59 4.36 3.30
UNN 11.89 12.93 11.98 11.82 8.31 7.91 7.85 6.18 6.56 4.26
ABU 13.54 11.68 13.48 13.63 8.84 8.28 8.04 7.01 6.46 3.41
OAU 10.82 10.43 10.33 10.97 6.56 6.06 5.69 4.87 4.92 3.12
UNIBEN 13.24 13.74 12.90 10.92 7.23 5.31 4.82 4.29 4.17 2.69
UNILORIN 7.20 6.41 6.38 5.83 4.53 3.86 3.73 3.72 3.49 2.56
UNIZIK 7.79 7.45 7.33 6.71 4.14 3.52 2.69 2.62 2.71 1.74
Allocation in NBillion
Current allocation does not reflect the reality Prof. Bello expects. While we
must acknowledge that most schools are currently underfunded and it is
unlikely that the BIG5 would get lesser allocation even though the likes of
UNILORIN and UNIZIK have surpassed them in terms of application, there is
need to increase allocation to all institutions as well as provide incentives for
those that enjoy high patronage.

36. GUIDANCE FOR PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES
Some candidates would rather attend the likes of UNILAG, UNN, OAU, UI, etc.
or no other. Truth be told, the BIG5 still holds the reputation as the foremost
Nigerian Ivy League universities. Being the first sets of universities to be
established before and almost at independence, they enjoyed some attention
and investment from previous governments and this reflected in the kind of
graduates they produced.
However, times have changed and other schools are equally producing
results. Particularly, the Private universities have remain tops in the Presidential
Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development (PRESSID).
Covenant University alone topped the list of successful candidates with 19, out
of the 200, that would benefit in PRESSID 2nd edition.
It is also important to note that Admission Rate in those most sough-after
universities are very low compared to others. For instance, UNILORIN with
over 100,000 applicants, how many Students can they really admit? Therefore,
candidates should consider schools with credibility and some industry
recommendation/reputation, most especially schools that meets the exact
reason why you want to study the course you have chosen!

37. Data Source:
- Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, UTME 2011 Application
- Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, UTME 2012 Application
- Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, UTME 2013 Application
- Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, UTME 2014 Application
- The Punch Newspaper “UNILAG seeks review of varsity funding, honours
Sofoluwe”, May 13, 2014
Analysis by: Wale Micaiah
e: walegate@yahoo.com
b: walemicaiah.blog.com
w. www.statisense.com