The University of Ilorin in Kwara State has emerged the 2016 most preferred institution by candidates going by current analysis.
It emerged as the foremost citadel of learning as analysed among 16 others by the Economic Confidential.
Carefully computed and analyzed of the records released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) by Economic Confidential University of Ilorin has the highest student-applicants of 103,238 students as first choice.
The university ranked best in applicants’ consideration for the choice of university.
The qualities considered are academic stability, popularity, affordability, available facilities and quality of lecturers.
Of the 40 federal universities, UNILORIN is number one followed by the University of Benin, South-South Nigeria with student-applicants of 81,363 made up of 39,729 of male applicants and female applicants of 41,571.
Ahmadu Bello University, North-west Nigeria is third in the ranking while the fourth and the fifth are University of Nigeria Nsukka and Bayero University, Kano both South-East and North-West Nigeria respectively.
Meanwhile, among the federal universities in the country, namely: Federal University of Otuoke, Federal University of Gashua and National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) are ranked as 38th, 39th and 40th positions and having student-applicants of 2315; 1438 and 148 respectively.
Of the 39 State universities, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, North-Central Nigeria is number one with 35,555 applicants; followed by Imo State University South-East Nigeria with 32,237 applicants; Kaduna State University, North-West Nigeria with 29,142 applicants; Delta State University Abraka, South-South Nigeria with 28,623 applicants;and Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, South-West Nigeria with 28,515 applicants.
As for the 55 private universities, seven are outstanding with Covenant University, Canaan Land, Ota, emerging first,; followed by Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, South-West Nigeria; and Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, South-West Nigeria and Igbinedion University, Okada, Benin- City, South-South Nigeria.
Covenant University has 2,586 student applicants, followed by Afe Babalola University with 1,304, Babcock University with 1,248 and Igbinedion University with 418. Others are, Bowen University with 329 student-applicants.