Ahmadu Bello University tops JAMB merit awards for 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 sessions.
Kaduna Polytechnic, FCE Zaria also clinch top sectoral prizes at policy meeting.
ABU bags ₦500m prize after outperforming UNILORIN and Nile University.
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria has emerged as the overall best tertiary institution in Nigeria at the 2025 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board National Tertiary Admissions’ Performance-Merit Award.

The institution secured the top position for the combined 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 admission years and walked away with ₦500 million prize money after scoring 14 points in the overall category.

The award was presented during the JAMB policy meeting held in Abuja where the University of Ilorin came second with nine points and received ₦75 million. Nile University, Abuja placed third with six points and took home ₦25 million.

Kaduna institutions dominated other categories as Kaduna Polytechnic won the best polytechnic award with 10 points and ₦50 million, while Federal College of Education, Zaria emerged as the best college of education with 18 points and ₦50 million prize. PEFTI Film Institute, Lagos also won ₦10 million for topping the Innovation Enterprise Institutions category.

ABU’s history of excellence at the NATAP-M awards includes previous recognition as Nigeria’s “Most National Institution” in 2019 and for having the highest number of international students in 2020. The university has also been acknowledged for leading student admissions nationwide in previous years.