Unilorin admission war: 21,971 students battle for 13,000 slots

A total of 21,971 candidates have applied for the 2025/2026 Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) screening at the University of Ilorin (Unilorin), competing for just 13,000 admission slots.

Prof. Kamilu Rauf, Director of the university’s Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre, disclosed this to journalists on Monday in Ilorin.

According to him, the applications comprise 20,220 UTME candidates and 1,751 Direct Entry (DE) candidates. He noted that the screening exercise, which began on Aug. 28, will run until Sept. 4.

Rauf explained that this year’s figure reflects a significant rise compared to the 2024 session, which recorded 15,946 UTME and 1,175 DE candidates.

“About 12,856 candidates were admitted in the 2024/2025 academic session. This year, we recorded an increase of more than 4,200 UTME candidates and 576 Direct Entry applicants. This shows that more students are choosing Unilorin as their first choice,” he said.

He attributed the surge to the institution’s strong reputation for academic excellence, an uninterrupted academic calendar, and efficient administration.

“Our slogan is Better by Far. Candidates know that at Unilorin, four years means four years and five years means five years, without disruptions,” Rauf stated.

The CBT Director reminded candidates and parents to strictly observe the university’s examination guidelines, including dress codes and the prohibition of mobile phones and other gadgets inside examination halls.

He also cautioned parents against crowding examination venues, stressing that all information needed is available on the university’s official website, www.unilorin.edu.ng.