The cheapest Federal Universities in Nigeria: We all know that one of the issues confronting Nigeria’s education system is financial constraints. Because sending children to university is expensive nowadays, some parents must carefully examine university costs to select one they can afford. So, in this Edustuff piece, I’ll talk about Nigeria’s cheapest federal universities.
You should also note that most of all federal universities in Nigeria, charge different school fees for different courses. This means that the school fees being listed here are just an estimation (or average). However, we always update this post with school fees.
Before reading, please take note that this article only takes knowledge of what the federal universities’ school fees are at the time of writing this article. If there are already changes to the school fees, please understand and if possible, leave a comment indicating the changes.
However, for those who may not be aware of this, newly admitted students (freshers) generally pay higher school fees than returning students (old students).
Cheapest Federal Universities in Nigeria
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
- University of Ibadan (UI)
- The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
- Bayero University, Kano (BUK)
- University of Calabar (UNICAL)
- The University of Abuja, Gwagwalada (UNIABUJA)
- Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto (UDUSOK)
- National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)
- Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina (FUDMA)
- University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)
- The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU)
- University of Benin (UNIBEN)
- The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO)
- The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)
- The Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA)
- Modibbo Adama University Of Technology, Yola (MAUTECH)
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- University of Uyo (UNIUYO)
- The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
- Federal University Of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE)
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) is one of the oldest and biggest Universities in Nigeria. ABU is a federal government research university which is situated in Zaria, Kaduna State.
ABU was founded on October 4, 1962. It was first called the University of Northern Nigeria.
Take note that this university operates two campuses, which are namely: Samaru (main) and Kongo in Zaria. There is also a pre-degree School that is owned and operated by Ahmadu Bello University, located in Funtua, which is a few kilometers away from the main campus owned by the Ahmadu Bello University.
The Samaru campus is home to the administrative offices, and faculties of the following; sciences, social sciences, arts and languages, education, environmental design, engineering, medical sciences. agricultural sciences and research facilities. While the Kongo campus hosts the faculties of Law and Administration.
The Faculty of Administration consists of the following as listed here; Accounting, Business Administration, Local Government, and Development Studies, and Public Administration Departments. Likewise, the university is responsible for a variety of other institutions and hosts several other programs at other locations within Kaduna state and outside.
School Fees Range: ₦14,000 – ₦45,000
University of Ibadan (UI)
The next university on this list is the University of Ibadan (UI). Here is a brief history of this wonderful and respected University. UI is the oldest and one of the most prestigious Nigerian universities and is situated five miles (8 kilometers) from the center of the major city of Ibadan, in Western Nigeria.
Close to the College of Medicine, there are eleven other faculties as follows: Arts, Science, Agriculture and Forestry, Social Sciences, Education, Veterinary Medicine, Technology, Law, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Dentistry.
The University of Ibadan, or UI as fondly called by Nigerians, has residential and sports facilities for staff and students on campus, as well as separate botanical and zoological gardens.
School Fees Range: ₦16,000 – ₦39,000
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
FUNAAB is the first Agricultural University in Nigeria. The Federal University of Agriculture is located in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. FUNAAB was established on 1st January 1988 by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The creation of FUNAAB was made possible when four universities of technology, which were earlier merged in 1984, were demerged. When these universities were demerged, the creation of the first two universities of agriculture in Abeokuta and Makurdi became possible.
For many Nigerians who are not aware, the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta is one of the three universities of agriculture in Nigeria. The other agricultural universities in Nigeria are Makurdi (Benue State) and Umudike (Abia State).
Funaab first campus was its mini-campus in Isale-Igbein in the heart of Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.
However, in December 1997, FUNAAB moved to its permanent site on a 10,000-hectare campus which is located next to the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority on the Abeokuta-Ibadan road in the North Eastern end of the city, which is 15 km from Abeokuta City Centre.
School Fees Range From ₦18,000 – ₦42,000
Bayero University, Kano (BUK)
Bayero University Kano (BUK) is one of the most popular universities in Nigeria. BUK is located in Kano, Kano State, Nigeria. This university was first founded in 1977 and was a college. However, it was later renamed from Bayero University College and upgraded from university college to University.
It has Faculties including Agriculture, Arts, and Islamic Studies, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science, Earth and Environmental Studies, Pharmacy, Social, Management Science. There is another recent additional faculty, which is the Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology (I.T).
Research Centers include the following listed below:
Center for Dryland Agriculture,
Center for Biotechnology Research,
Center for Renewable Energy,
Center for the Study of Nigerian Languages among others.
BUK School Fees Range: ₦24,000 – ₦60,000
University of Calabar (UNICAL)
The University of Calabar is another popular University in Nigeria, with very affordable school fees. Most Nigerians assume that Unical school fee is costly, including me. However, to my utmost amazement, I discovered that the University of Calabar, also known as the UNICAL school fee is very affordable. Unical is located in Calabar, Cross River State, which is southeastern Nigeria. It is one of Nigeria’s second-generation federal universities.
For those who are not aware, the University of Calabar was a campus of the University of Nigeria until 1975. The architecture was designed by John Elliott. It was established by decree to fulfill this traditional mandate, and the Unical motto is “Knowledge for Service”.
The male students are fondly known as Malabites, while the female students are Malabresses. The male hostel is called Malabo. This name given to Unical Male students was as a result of various challenges faced by the students at a time which coincided with the suffering experienced in Malabo by Nigerian deportees from Equatorial Guinea (whose capital is Malabo) at the time.
Unical School Fees Range: ₦31,000 – ₦43,000
The University of Abuja, Gwagwalada (UNIABUJA)
UniAbuja is situated in one of the costliest cities in the world, and Abuja is home to Nigerian billionaires. We’ve known Abuja as a place where Aso Rock and most federal government ministries are located, and this factor should have made UniAbuja one of Nigeria’s costliest Federal Universities, but this is the exact opposite.]
The University of Abuja is situated in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, and was established on January 1st, 1988 (under Decree No. 110 of 1992 as amended). This university was established as a dual-mode university with the mandate to run conventional and distance learning programs.
The Law Faculty being the pride of the University of Abuja is known for having one of the most Organised Student Representative Councils (LAWSAN) in Nigeria.
The university has its mini campus in Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria, and a permanent site covering about 11,824 hectares which can be seen along the Kaduna – Lokoja – Abuja Road. The Permanent site houses the following Faculties: Faculties of Arts, Science, Management Science Veterinary medicine, Agriculture and Engineering with the College of medicine and contains the university senate and other administrative buildings.
While the mini campus is still the temporary location to the Faculties of education social science, and law.
UniAbuja School Fees Range: ₦39,000 – ₦43,000
Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto (UDUSOK)
The Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUSOK) was formerly known as the University of Sokoto. Usman Danfodio University is one of the initial twelve federal universities in Nigeria which was founded in the year, 1975. It is located in the ancient city of Sokoto, Nigeria. The school is named after the Sokoto legend, Usman Dan Fodio, who is the founder of the Sokoto Caliphate.
The main campus is home to administrative offices, sciences, social sciences, agriculture, arts and languages, education, and research facilities. However, as for the city campus, it plays host to the college of health sciences and the school of veterinary medicine. While a third site is home to the modern university teaching hospital.
The school management built the fourth site during its last administration Bafarawa of Sokoto State under the leadership of Alh. Attahiru Bafarawa. This fourth site is hosting the School of Matriculation Studies. The school of Matriculation studies is where students opting for Remedial Studies are admitted and taught before enrollment in the university (provided they have passed the exams).
UDUSOK School Fees Range: ₦24,000 – ₦54,000
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)
The National Open University of Nigeria is one of my all-time favorite schools. NOUN is Nigeria’s first Federal Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institution. Sorry, it’s not just Nigeria’s first, but the first of its kind in the West African sub-region.
For those who may not be aware of this, NOUN is Nigeria’s largest tertiary institution in terms of student numbers.
NOUN currently offers more than 53 programs and 750 courses but does not provide lectures to students in normal classrooms like other federal universities, except some certain study centers, primarily due to constraints known to the University alone. These constraints and challenges are usually faced by a developing tertiary institution. For a huge university like NOUN, this issue should have been long settled.
However, the NOUN study center in Lagos state provides lectures to all its Law undergraduates and supplies necessary course materials to all students, but this is after the school has confirmed the payment of each student’s tuition fees. All courses offered have been accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Noun School Fees Range: ₦18,000 – ₦36,000
Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina (FUDMA)
FUDMA is one of the newest federal universities in Nigeria. This academic institution was built by his excellency, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The Federal University Dutsin-Ma built was founded in February 2011 and is located in Katsina state.
The school currently has eight faculties, including Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Faculty of Management Sciences, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, and School of General and Preliminary Studies.
FUDMA School Fees Range: ₦50,000 – ₦64,000
University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)
The University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT should not be on this list, but due to some faculties with extra-low school fees, other faculties are costly. Uniport is located in the heart of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. It was established in 1975 as University College, Port Harcourt, and three years later, it was officially given university status in 1977.
UNIPORT has ten faculties which are listed below:
Faculty of Humanities,
Faculty of Social Sciences,
Faculty of Education,
Faculty of Engineering,
Faculty of Management Sciences,
College of Health Sciences
Faculty of Natural and Applied Science,
Faculty of Dentistry,
Faculty of Pharmacy,
Faculty of Agriculture.
Uniport School Fees Range From ₦92,000 – ₦128,000
The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU)
This is another university that is fastly growing to become one of Nigerian’s best. The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture which was originally known as the Federal University of Agriculture, is a federal university located in Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
This academic institution was established as a specialized University by a Federal Government of Nigeria Decree No 48 of November 1992.
The tertiary institution is located in the Agricultural Training and Research city of Umudike, about 10 kilometers from Umuahia (capital of Abia State). The major link road to the University is the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Federal Road, a direct route to the State capitals of Abia Akwa-Ibom and the Cross River States.
After its creation, the first set of students were admitted into the institution during the 1993/94 academic year with a surprising student population of just eighty-two (82). The nickname “Umudykes” or “U’dykers” refers to students, alumni, and sports teams of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture.
MOUAU School Fees Range: ₦42,000 – ₦53,000
University of Benin (UNIBEN)
As powerful as this name sounds, Uniben is one affordable school. The University of Benin (UNIBEN), is one of Nigeria’s first generation federal universities that has made the country proud. UniBen was surprisingly founded in 1970, but from its achievement, you’ll think it was founded in the 1950s. Uniben started as an Institute of Technology and was accorded the status of a full-fledged University by the National Universities Commission (NUC) on the 1st of July 1971.
Following National Universities Commission, NUC’s directives, the university experimented with the Collegiate System in early 1991/92 and 1992/93 sessions. However, in the light of new developments, the university reverted to the Faculty System in the first month of 1994 (January). Presently, the university essentially operates the Faculty System except for the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Basic Medical Sciences, and Institute of Child Health, which reverted to the Collegiate System in August 1999, with a Provost as its administrative head.
The University of Benin faculties include the following as listed below:
Agriculture, Arts, Education, Engineering, Law, Life Sciences, Management Sciences, Pharmacy, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, Environmental Science, and Center For Entrepreneurship Study.
Uniben School Fees Range: ₦12,000 – ₦50,000
The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO)
Futo is one of the Nigerian foremost technology universities. The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (which is abbreviated and widely known as FUTO, is a Federal Government institution, which was created post-secondary educational institution located in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
FUTO specializes in technological education. This academic institution is a designated Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering and is very competent in the development of vaccines and drugs. This makes FUTO a place for students with strong reading abilities. If you can’t read long, don’t venture near this institution, yes, they’re that strict.
FUTO has nine schools including the following:
School of Agriculture and Agriculture Technology,
School of Engineering and Engineering Technology,
School of Entrepreneurship and Management Technology,
School of Environmental Technology,
School of Life Sciences,
School of Physical Sciences,
School of Information and Communication Technology,
School of Technology Education
School of Post Graduate Studies.
FUTO School Fees Starts From ₦39,000 – ₦62,000
The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)
Another notable institution making this list of Affordable federal universities in Nigeria is Futa. The Federal University of Technology Akure, which is publicly known in Nigeria as FUTA, was founded in 1981 under a drive by the government of Nigeria to create different universities which specialized in producing graduates with practical as well as theoretical knowledge of technologies.
This academic institution is located in Akure.
One of its national biggest honors, was when the school was ranked the 8th best university and 1st University Of Technology in Nigeria by webometrics in 2015.
See: BEST Hundred (100) Top Universities in Nigeria – Current 2019 Latest Ranking
Currently, Futa has seven schools, including the:
School of Science,
School of Earth and Mineral Sciences,
School of Environmental Technology,
School of Engineering and Engineering Technology,
School of Agricultural and Agricultural Technology,
School of Management Technology
School of Postgraduate Studies.
Futa School Fees Starts From ₦13,000 – ₦52,000
The Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA)
Another cheap federal University in Nigeria is the Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMINNA). This academic institution is a Federal Government established post-secondary educational institution which is situated in Minna, Nigeria.
Just as the name signifies, this institution specializes in the technological education of its students. The Federal University of Technology, Minna is a selected Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering. Futminna has a core competence in the development of vaccines and drugs, just like FUTO.
The institution was founded in the year 1983, and the name of the first Vice-Chancellor was Professor J.O. Ndagi who served 7 years, starting from 1983 to 1990. In its humble beginning, Futminna took over the facilities of the former Government Teachers’ College Bosso, for use permanently. However, the site is now serving as the Bosso Campus of the University.
But the main campus known as gidan kwano is situated on 10,650 hectares of land, which is sited along the Minna – Kataeregi – Bida Road.
FUTMINNA School Fees Starts From ₦24,000 – ₦50,000
The Modibbo Adama University Of Technology, Yola (MAUTECH)
Another University making this list of cheapest federal Universities in Nigeria, is the Modibbo Adama University Of Technology, Yola (MAUTECH). This federal University was formally known as the Federal University of Technology Yola.
MAUTECH is a research-intensive university which can be located in Yola, which is the capital city of Adamawa State in Northeastern Nigeria.
The Modibbo Adama University of Technology is one of the 27 universities parts of the federal government university system and one of only 4 federal technology universities, which was established with the sole purpose of advancing science-based research.
This school has a lot of wonderful facilities to boasts of, which serve as research, student welfare, and recreation, and academic and training purposes. these include:
University Lodges,
University Primary and Secondary Schools,
Commercial Guest House,
FUTY Table Water,
FUTY Farm,
ERRICSSON Research center,
CHEVRON Biotech Centre,
Veterinary Clinic and Research Centre,
Computer Centre, Medical Centre,
Centre for Distance Learning,
Centre for Equipment Maintenance and Industrial Training,
Students Centre,
University Multipurpose Centre,
University Sports Centre,
ICT Centre, etc.
Mautech School Fees Starts From ₦15,000 – ₦42,000
University of Lagos (UNILAG)
Who would have thought that the University of Lagos, would be among this list of cheap Nigerian universities? The University of Lagos, which is popularly known as UNILAG is federal government research which is situated in Lagos State, southwestern Nigeria.
The University of Lagos has remained after all these years, one of the most competitive tertiary institutions in the country in terms of admissions. Because Unilag usually tops the list of Institutions with the highest number of jamb applicants. Notwithstanding, with approximately 77,000 students as of 2018, the University of Lagos has one of the largest student populations of any university in the country.
Unilag main campus is located at Akoka, Yaba, while you can easily locate its Medical Campus of the College of Medicine a few kilometers from the main campus at Idi-Araba, Surulere. These campuses are all sited on the Lagos mainland. The university has many other residential facilities and services for both staff and students.
There are lots of Faculties and schools at the University of Lagos, which totaled fourteen in numbers. Most of the faculties are located on the main campus, except the following Faculties:
Faculties of Pharmacy,
Clinical Sciences,
Basic Medical Sciences and Dental Sciences,
The above faculties are located within the College of Medicine in Idi Araba.
Unilag School Fees Starts From ₦14,000 – ₦64,000
University of Uyo (UNIUYO)
The University of Uyo (UNIUYO) is another highly sought-after federal university in Nigeria, and it’s cheap. The University of Uyo was formerly known as the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS). On the 1st of October, 1991, the federal government of Nigeria established the institution as a federal university and the name was changed from the University of Cross Rivers State, Uniross to the University of Uyo (unity).
UNIUYO has up to 14 faculties and the school is still expanding its coverage. Uniuyo also has four campuses, which are namely:
The Permanent Site/Main Campus: The main campus play host to Parts of Central Administration, Faculties of Engineering and Natural and Applied Sciences, International Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Research (ICEESR), and the Postgraduate School;
The Town Campus: The town campus of Uniuyo houses Faculties of Arts, Education, Social Sciences, Pharmacy; The Annex Campus: The annex campus accommodates the Faculties of Agriculture, Business Administration, Law, Engineering, Environment Studies, and General Studies.
The Ime Umana Campus: Lastly, the fourth campus, which is known as the Ime Umana Campus, Ediene Abak, accommodates the Pre-Degree, JUPEB, and other special courses.
Uniuyo School Fees Starts From ₦60,000 – ₦70,000
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
The University of Nigeria, which is publicly known as UNN, is a federal university located in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. This academic institution is one of Nigeria’s oldest schools. The school was founded by Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1955 and formally opened on the 7th of October 1960, the University of Nigeria has three campuses namely,
Nsukka,
Enugu
Ituku-Ozalla
All these campuses are located in Enugu State.
The University of Nigeria, UNN was the first full-fledged indigenous and first autonomous university in Nigeria, and it was modeled upon the American educational system.
UNN is the first land-grant university in the whole of Africa and is one of the five elite universities in Nigeria. The university has a huge faculty. UNN has a total of 15 Faculties and 102 academic departments. This academic institution offers 82 undergraduate programs and 211 postgraduate programs.
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The university celebrated its 58th anniversary in October 2018.
₦71,000
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)
This is another university most Nigerians don’t think that Unizik is affordable. But surprisingly, the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK) has a very affordable school fee plan for both new and returning students.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University is a Federal university which is based in Nigeria. Its main campus is located in Akwa, Anambra State, which is the southeastern part of Nigeria. The second campus is sited at Nnewi, which is also in Anambra state.
The university currently offers a diverse range of courses of study for thousands of students, including the following listed below;
Arts, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Management Sciences, Medical and Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Law, African Languages, European Languages, and Education.
The Motto of Nnamdi Azikiwe University is Discipline, Self Reliance, and Excellence. Unizik was founded on the philosophy that knowledge should be rightfully propagated and disseminated to individuals without any form of hindrance.
Unizik School Fees Starts From ₦20,000 – ₦70,000
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is another cheap federal University in Nigeria. This school is owned by the Nigerian federal government. The university is situated in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
This academic institution was founded in 1961 and classes officially started in October 1962 as the University of Ife by the regional government of Western Nigeria, which was led by late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola. The school was later to be renamed Obafemi Awolowo University on the 12th of May 1987 in honor of Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987), who was the first premier of the Western Region of Nigeria. OAU is the brainchild of Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) offers various undergraduate and post-graduate programs in fields of specialization spanning the humanities, the arts, the natural sciences, the social sciences, the medical sciences, engineering, and technology.
OAU School Fees Starts From ₦19,000 – ₦58,000
University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
Another wonderful university that is made affordable for Nigerians by the federal government is the University of Ilorin, which is mostly referred to as UNILORIN. The school was established by a decree of the Federal Military Government in 1975 and is a federal government-owned academic institution of education. The school is located in Ilorin, Kwara State, western Nigeria.
For those who may not be aware, the ancient city of Ilorin, which is the capital of Kwara State, is 300km from Lagos and 500km from Abuja, which is Nigeria’s capital.
In a landmark move that changes the history of Unilorin forever, the school was ranked as the best university in Nigeria by 4icu in August 2014.
Unilorin started small, barely with three faculties in 1976, today there are more than 16 faculties in Unilorin:
Below is the list of faculties in Unilorin and their creation year.
Arts (1976),
Education (1976),
Engineering & Technology (1978),
Agriculture (1982),
Law (1993, after an initial start-up in 1983),
Basic Medical Sciences (2004),
Clinical Sciences (2004)
Communication and Information Sciences (2008),
Veterinary Medicine (2009),
Pharmaceutical Science (2010),
Life Science; Physical Science; Environmental Science; Management Sciences; and Social Sciences in (2013).
Unilorin School Fees Starts From ₦10,700 – ₦18,300
Federal University Of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE)
Last but not least here, is the Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun (FUPRE), which is located in Delta State, Nigeria. Fupre is one of the cheapest federal universities in Nigeria, and it was established and approved by the Federal Executive Council meeting of 14 March 2007. FUPRE did admit her first set of undergraduates in the year, 2008.
The university was established under the Federal Government of Nigeria initiative, which is to build a specialized university in the Niger Delta to produce manpower and expertise for the oil and gas sector. Federal University of Petroleum Resources is among the first of its kind in Nigeria.
The National Universities Commission(NUC) approved the sharing of facilities between the Petroleum Training Institute Effurun and FUPRE until it moved to its permanent site on the development of its main campus at Ugbomro, Uvwie Local Government Area.
FUPRE School Fees Starts From ₦37,000 – 68,000
Thanks for this article! Please, put the courses offered by Federal university of petroleum, FUPRE.