School Fees Breakdown for Nigerian Universities

School Fees Breakdown for Nigerian Universities

Understanding university school fees in Nigeria can be challenging because costs vary widely by institution type (federal, state, private), by course, and by levies beyond just “tuition.” In 2025, the higher-education sector in Nigeria continues to see rising costs, with many public institutions charging more “mandatory charges” than many realize. (WITHIN NIGERIA) Here’s a detailed breakdown of what students pay, how fees differ across university types, and some representative school-fee data for various universities.

What Makes Up University Fees in Nigeria?

When students pay “school fees,” they are generally paying a bundle of charges—not just tuition. Key components include:

1. Tuition / Academic Fees: The base fee associated with course instruction.
2. Registration / Acceptance / Matriculation Levies: One-time or recurring non-academic fees paid during admission or each session.
3. Development / Technology / ICT Fees: Many universities now charge for infrastructure upkeep, internet, library, labs, etc.
4. Departmental / Faculty Dues: Additional fees depending on the student’s faculty (e.g., science labs, engineering workshops).
5. Examination Fees: These cover in-session or end-of-session exams.
6. Accommodation: On-campus hostel or private housing costs (varies dramatically).
7. Utility Surcharges: For services like electricity, water in hostels.
8. Library, ID Card, Student Union, and Other Fees: Additional mandatory or semi-mandatory levies.

These combined charges are what make up the “school fees” that students pay each academic session.

Fee Breakdown by University Type

1. Federal Universities

Federal universities are often seen as the most affordable in Nigeria, but “tuition-free” is a misconception. While government subsidies reduce tuition, students now pay significant mandatory charges. According to a 2025 breakdown:

• Students in federal universities pay between ₦95,000 and ₦230,000 per year in “mandatory charges,” which include development levies, ICT, library, labs, and more. (WITHIN NIGERIA)
• For instance, at FUTA (Federal University of Technology, Akure), engineering students now pay ~₦236,000 annually due to increased costs for workshop maintenance, power, and internet. (WITHIN NIGERIA)
• At University of Abuja, a new science undergraduate reportedly pays ₦227,500 per session. (WITHIN NIGERIA)
• According to MyUni, some representative fees for leading federal universities:
  • University of Ibadan (UI) — ₦50,000–₦80,000 per session (MYUNI)
  • University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) — ₦45,000–₦75,000 (MYUNI)
  • Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) — ₦50,000–₦85,000 (MYUNI)

Upfront / One-Time Fees: According to a 2025 report, acceptance and registration levies in many federal varsities run ₦20,000–₦25,000 (acceptance) plus ₦15,000–₦20,000 for registration and student union dues. (Pulse Nigeria)

Accommodation (Hostel):

• Shared rooms: ₦15,000–₦25,000 per semester
• Private rooms: ₦30,000–₦40,000 per semester
• Utility surcharge: ~₦5,000 per semester in some universities. (Pulse Nigeria)

Living / Food Costs: A rough cafeteria meal in a public university could cost around ₦1,000. (Pulse Nigeria)

2. State Universities

State universities tend to have more variable fees because policies differ by state, and they receive less subsidy compared to federal universities. Key observations:

• According to recent reporting, state university tuition can range widely—from ₦40,000 for indigenes in some states to as high as ₦350,000 for non-indigene students in specialized or professional programs. (WITHIN NIGERIA)
• Examples from Polityzen:
  • Lagos State University (LASU) — Freshers: ₦150,000; Returning students: ₦120,000 (polityzen.com)
  • Delta State University (DELSU) — Freshers: ₦170,000; Returning: ₦140,000 (polityzen.com)
  • Ekiti State University (EKSU) — Freshers: ₦190,000; Returning: ₦160,000 (polityzen.com)
• According to Past2Pass (2024/2025 data):
  • Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) — Indigenes: ₦168,000; Non-indigenes: ₦204,000 (Past2Pass)
  • Zamfara State University (ZAMSUT) — Indigene: ₦61,800–₦84,800; Non-Indigene: ₦103,600–₦149,600 (Past2Pass)

These fees typically include the standard academic charges but often come with additional levies (e.g., for labs, ICT).

3. Private Universities

Private universities in Nigeria are significantly more expensive than public ones. Their school fees reflect not only tuition but also high infrastructure and operational costs. Here’s how the breakdown typically works and examples:

• According to EduPadi, many top private universities charge hundreds of thousands to millions of naira per session. (EduPadi)
• Some examples:
  • Covenant University — ₦800,000–₦900,000 per session (tuition charge) (EduPadi)
  • Babcock University — Fees ranging up to ₦1,977,200 according to EduPadi. (EduPadi)
  • Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) — ~₦800,000–₦2,500,000 depending on course and level. (Prime Business Africa)
  • Nile University — Extremely high in some programmes; PrimeBusiness lists a wide range depending on course. (Prime Business Africa)
• According to a deeper funding-model analysis, private university fees also fund recurrent costs like maintenance, utilities, and non-state-subsidized staff salaries. (eprints.gouni.edu.ng)

Trends and Key Insights

1. Public Universities’ Rising “Mandatory Charges”
   Even though federal universities are subsidized, many students now pay nearly five times more in mandatory fees than in the past. (WITHIN NIGERIA) These “hidden” costs are now a major part of what students label as “school fees.”
2. State Universities’ Fee Variability
   State-owned universities show stark disparities based on whether a student is indigenous to that state, their course of study, and state-level financial policy. (WITHIN NIGERIA) Some states have restructured fees aggressively in recent years.
3. Private Universities Charge Premium Rates
   Private universities command very high fees. These institutions often rely almost fully on student payments for operational costs and capital maintenance. (eprints.gouni.edu.ng)
4. Course / Faculty Matters
   Fees vary dramatically by course. Programs like Medicine, Engineering or very specialized fields tend to attract higher fees in both public and private universities. (For example, in federal universities, engineering fees can be significantly higher due to workshop and lab charges. (WITHIN NIGERIA))

What Students Should Do When Estimating Their University Budget

• Check University Websites: Always refer to the official university website for precise and up-to-date fee structures.
• Ask for a Full Breakdown: When budgeting, request not just “tuition” but a detailed breakdown (registration, development, departmental, etc.).
• Include Living Expenses: Hostels, utility surcharges, food, transport—these can add significantly to the cost, especially in urban campuses.
• Compare Public vs. Private: If paying private university fees, ensure that the value (education quality, employability) aligns with the cost.
• Explore Financial Aid: Scholarships, payment plans, student loans (where available) can help mitigate these costs.

The “school fees” for Nigerian universities are not a one-size-fits-all number. Federal, state, and private universities have very different cost structures. In 2025, federal university students are not paying just for tuition—they are paying mandatory levies that can push total costs to over ₦200,000 per year in some cases. State university fees vary massively depending on student status (indigene vs non-indigene) and course. Private universities, meanwhile, are often an order of magnitude more expensive, with costs running into millions of naira for some programmes.

When planning for higher education in Nigeria, students and parents should dive into the details. Ask for full fee schedules, consider all additional costs, and weigh options carefully between public and private institutions. A clear understanding of the fee breakdown will help make an informed, realistic decision.

References / Sources:

• What students now pay: breakdown of Nigerian federal & state universities’ 2025 tuition hikes. (WITHIN NIGERIA)
• MYUNI: List of federal universities and their school fees. (MYUNI)
• Top 10 cheapest Federal universities in Nigeria & their school fees. (Awascholars)
• Polityzen: School fees for Nigerian universities and polytechnics 2025/2026. (polityzen.com)
• Past2Pass: Nigerian universities school fees for fresh students 2024/2025. (Past2Pass)
• PrimeBusiness: Nigerian universities and current tuition fees for 2025. (Prime Business Africa)
• EduPadi Blog: Top federal and private universities school fees. (EduPadi)
• GOUNI e-prints: Alternative strategies for funding private university education in Nigeria. (eprints.gouni.edu.ng)