The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the results and rankings for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Out of the 2,243,816 candidates who registered for the nationwide exam, one name has captured the country’s attention: Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin.
With an astonishing score of 372 out of 400, Daniella shattered expectations to emerge as the overall highest scorer in the 2026 UTME.
Who is Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin?
Daniella Owoeye is the academic trailblazer who led the 2026 UTME national merit list. While she hails natively from Ekiti State, she registered for and sat her examination at a Computer-Based Test (CBT) center located in Ogun State.
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Known for her relentless academic drive, Daniella has set her sights on the medical field. She selected the prestigious University of Lagos (UNILAG) as her first-choice institution to study Medicine and Surgery (MBBS). Given her historic performance, her admission into UNILAG’s highly competitive medical program is practically set in stone.
Breaking Down the 2026 UTME Statistics
The 2026 UTME cycle saw a massive 10.5% increase in candidate registration compared to 2025. This surge put immense pressure on the 966 approved CBT centers nationwide.
Registration by the Numbers:
- Total Registered Candidates: 2,243,816
- Highest Registration by State: Lagos State led the nation with 381,814 applicants, followed closely by Ogun State (137,156) and Oyo State (122,662).
- International Reach: The exam was also administered to diaspora candidates in countries including the United Kingdom, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Gambia.
Read Also: JAMB 2026 Cut-Off Marks Released: Full Approved List of University Minimum Scores –
The 2026 JAMB Top 10 Highest Scorers
During the annual JAMB Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja, JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede unveiled the official list of the top-performing candidates.
While Daniella claimed the crown with 372 points, the competition at the top was incredibly fierce, dominated heavily by STEM and medical aspirants.
| Rank | Candidate Name | State of Origin | UTME Score | First-Choice Institution | Intended Course of Study |
| 1 | Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin | Ekiti | 372 | University of Lagos (UNILAG) | Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) |
| 2 | Enwere Kingsley Ikenna | Imo | 370 | Nile University of Nigeria | Computer Science |
| 3 | Bamisile Ayomide Emmanuel | Ondo | 369 | Fed. University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) | Software Engineering |
| 4 | Olabiyisi Olanrewaju Oluwatimileyin | Oyo | 368 | Pan-Atlantic University | Mechatronics Engineering |
| 4 | Victor-Onyeka Daniel Ifeanyi | Imo | 368 | University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) | Electrical/Electronics Engineering |
| 4 | Osagiobare Daniel Osahenrumwen | Edo | 368 | University of Benin (UNIBEN) | Mechanical Engineering |
| 4 | Ademiluyi Adebowale Anthony | Osun | 368 | Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) | Computer Engineering |
| 4 | Azuike Kenechukwu Anthony | Anambra | 368 | Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) | Software Engineering |
| 9 | Offorkile Michael Okechukwu | Abia | 367 | Undisclosed | Computer Science |
| 9 | Adebisi Eniola Sonari | Ogun | 367 | Covenant University | Computer Science |
| 9 | Umukoro Gift Orhenevovwero | Delta | 367 | University of Lagos (UNILAG) | Electrical/Electronics Engineering |
JAMB Releases 2026 Institutional Cut-Off Marks
Alongside the individual rankings, the 2026 Policy Meeting finalized the minimum institutional benchmarks required for university admissions this academic session.
While individual universities are permitted to raise thresholds for competitive courses like Law, Medicine, and Pharmacy, the baseline cut-off marks for major institutions are structured as follows:
- Pan-Atlantic University: 220 (Highest baseline in the country)
- Top Federal Universities (UNILAG, UI, UNN, UNIBEN, OAU): 200
- Lagos State University (LASU): 195
- Lagos State University of Education (LASUED): 185
- General Federal Baseline (ABU, UNILORIN, UNIABUJA): 180
- Minimum Statutory National Cut-off: 150
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the highest score in JAMB 2026?
The highest score in the 2026 UTME is 372 out of 400, achieved by Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin.
What course does Daniella Owoeye want to study?
Daniella Owoeye applied to study Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
How many candidates wrote the 2026 UTME?
A total of 2,243,816 candidates registered for the examination across 966 CBT centers.
Who came second in the 2026 JAMB?
Enwere Kingsley Ikenna from Imo State came second nationwide with an impressive score of 370. He applied to study Computer Science at Nile University.
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