A University of Lagos (UNILAG) bound candidate, Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin, has emerged as the highest scorer in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, recording 372 out of a possible 400 marks.
The board announced the result on Monday during its 2026 admission policy meeting held in Abuja, where the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, also unveiled plans to introduce a “Bring Your Own Device” model for future examinations as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s tertiary admission process.
Jesudunsin, who is from Ekiti State and sat the examination in Ogun State, selected University of Lagos as her first-choice institution to study Medicine and Surgery.
Her score is three points lower than the all-time record of 375 set in the 2025 UTME by Chinedu Okeke from Anambra State.
Coming second was Enwere Kingsley Ikenna from Imo State, who scored 370 after writing the examination in Lagos. He selected Nile University to study Computer Science.
Bamisile Ayomide Emmanuel from Ondo State placed third with 369 and chose Federal University of Technology Akure for Software Engineering.
Other top-performing candidates include Olabiyisi Olanrewaju Oluwatimileyin of Oyo State, Victor-Onyeka Daniel Ifeanyi of Imo State, Osagiobare Daniel Osahenrumwen of Edo State, Ademiluyi Adebowale Anthony of Osun State, and Azuike Kenechukwu Anthony of Anambra State, all of whom scored 368.
Candidates who scored 367 include Offorkile Michael Okechukwu from Abia State, Adebisi Eniola Sonari from Ogun State, and Umukoro Gift Orhenevovwero from Delta State.
Speaking at the meeting, Oloyede announced that from 2027, candidates would have the option of using their personal devices to sit for the UTME.
According to him, the system will involve the insertion of a secure flash drive into candidates’ devices to restrict unauthorised access and prevent malpractice during the examination.
He said the innovation would reduce operational costs, improve efficiency and address recurring complaints about technical failures experienced at some computer-based test centres.
“This option will be cheaper, easier to manage and will eliminate complaints from candidates whose systems shut down during examinations,” Oloyede said.
He added that more technology-driven reforms would be introduced ahead of the 2027 exercise to further strengthen examination integrity and improve user experience.
The policy meeting also approved fresh timelines for the 2026 admission exercise across tertiary institutions.
Public universities are expected to conclude admissions on or before October 31, while private universities have until November 30.
Polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education are to complete their admissions by December 31.
The registrar directed all institutions to adhere strictly to the approved timelines, warning that institutions that fail to conclude their admissions within the stipulated period would lose access to candidates for that admission cycle.
He also announced that successful candidates must accept admission offers within four weeks of notification or risk forfeiting the slot.
According to him, the measure is aimed at promoting fairness, transparency and timely completion of the admission process.
The 2026 policy meeting also reviewed broader admission reforms designed to improve access while preserving quality standards in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
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