THE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has released the list of the top-performing candidates in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, with no candidate from Northern Nigeria appearing among the top scorers.
News Point Nigeria reports that leading the ranking is Owoeye Jesudunsin from Ekiti State, who scored 372 out of 400 marks after sitting for the examination in Ogun State.
Speaking on Monday during the 2026 admission policy meeting in Abuja, JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed that the candidate selected the University of Lagos as her first-choice institution to study Medicine and Surgery.
According to Oloyede, the 372 score is three points lower than the highest score recorded in the 2025 UTME, when Chinedu Okeke from Anambra State scored 375 marks.
News Point Nigeria reports that Enwere Kingsley Ikenna from Imo State emerged second with 370 marks after taking the examination in Lagos State.
Ikenna selected Nile University, Abuja, as his first-choice institution to study Computer Science.
Coming third was Ayomide Emmanuel Bamisile from Ondo State, who scored 369 marks and chose the Federal University of Technology, Akure as his preferred institution to study Software Engineering.
Meanwhile, Oloyede announced that JAMB would introduce a “Bring Your Own Device” option for candidates from the 2027 UTME exercise.
According to him, candidates would be permitted to use their personal devices during examinations, with a flash drive inserted into the devices to prevent examination malpractice.
He explained that the innovation would reduce costs, simplify management, and address recurring complaints by candidates who often experience computer shutdowns during examinations.
Oloyede noted that the measure was designed to make the examination process more convenient while preserving the integrity of the test.
He added that other innovations would also be introduced before 2027 to ensure seamless conduct of the examination.
At the meeting, stakeholders also agreed on timelines for the completion of the 2026 admission exercise across tertiary institutions nationwide.
They unanimously resolved that public universities should conclude admissions on or before October 31, 2026, while private universities are expected to complete admissions by November 30, 2026.
Polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of education were also advised to conclude their admission processes on or before December 31, 2026.
Oloyede directed all institutions to strictly adhere to the approved admission timelines.
He warned that any institution that fails to complete its admission exercise before the deadline would lose access to candidates for that admission session.
The registrar also approved that successful candidates must accept their admission offers within four weeks.
According to him, candidates who fail to accept admission within the stipulated period risk losing the offer and may become ineligible for further admission consideration during the admission session.
Oloyede stated that the policy was introduced to ensure fairness, transparency, and timely completion of admissions across all tertiary institutions in the country.
Speaking to News Point Nigeria on the absence of any northern candidate among the top ten scorers, educationist and school proprietress, Hajiya Lami Ibrahim, PhD, said she was not surprised by the development, attributing it to what she described as the declining state of education in the region.
According to her, the situation reflects deeper systemic challenges, including insecurity that has forced the closure of many schools across northern states in the past six years.
She also blamed leadership priorities, arguing that regional leaders have placed more emphasis on politics than on critical sectors such as education and healthcare.
Hajiya Lami further lamented what she described as a growing lack of commitment among some parents, who, in her view, no longer insist on ensuring that their children receive quality education.
She said the development is the result of a long-standing struggle involving schools, teachers, parents, and government, adding that improvement would require collective responsibility from all stakeholders.
However, she expressed surprise that no candidate from the Federal Capital Territory made it into the top ten, noting that Abuja hosts several high-performing schools.
According to her, it was unexpected that none of its students featured among the highest scorers.
Below is full list of the top 11 candidates based on verified ranking:
Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin
State of Exam: Ogun
State of Origin: Ekiti
UTME Score: 372
Institution: UNILAG
Course: MBSS
Enwere Kingsley Ikenna
State of Exam: Lagos
State of Origin: Imo
UTME Score: 370
Institution: NILE
Course: Computer Science
Bamisile Ayomide Emmanuel
State of Exam: Ogun
State of Origin: Ondo
UTME Score: 369
Institution: FUTA
Course: Software Engineering
Olabiyisi Olanrewaju Oluwatimileyin
State of Exam: Not clear
State of Origin: Oyo
UTME Score: 368
Institution: Pan-Atlantic
Course: Mechatronics Engineering
Victor-Onyeka Daniel Ifeanyi
State of Exam: Rivers
State of Origin:Imo
UTME Score: 368
Institution: UNIPORT
Course: Electrical/Electronic Engineering
Osagiobare Daniel Osahenrumwen
State of Exam: Edo
State of Origin: Edo
UTME Score: 368
Institution: UNIBEN
Course: Mechanical Engineering
Ademiluyi Adebowale Anthony
State of Exam: Osun
State of Origin: Osun
UTME Score: 368
Institution: OAU
Course: Computer Engineering
Azuike Kenechukwu Anthony
State of Exam: Lagos
State of Origin: Anambra
UTME Score: 368
Institution: ABUAD
Course: Software Engineering
Offorkile Michael Okechukwu
Gender: Male
State of Exam: Anambra
State of Origin: Abia
Score: 367
Programme: Computer Science
Adebisi Eniola Sonari
Gender: Male
State of Exam: Osun
State of Origin: Ogun
Institution: Covenant University
Programme: Computer Science
Score: 367
Umukoro Gift Orhenevovwero
Gender: Male
State of Exam: Edo
State of Origin: Delta
Institution: University of Lagos (UNILAG)
Programme: Electrical/Electronics Engineering
Score: 367