Cheapest Private Universities In Nigeria: Courses, Fees & Cut-Off Marks

Cheapest Private Universities in Nigeria: Courses, Fees, Cut-Off Marks, Locations & More

This article is an educational guide, designed for prospective university students in Nigeria. In this piece, we are going to be looking at the list of private universities in Nigeria, including every relevant information about each of them.

Read Also State and Federal Universities In Nigeria.

Topics Covered In This Guide

• Cheapest Private Universities in Nigeria
• First Private University in Nigeria
• List of Private Universities in Nigeria That Offer Law
• List of Private Universities in Nigeria that Offer Nursing
• List of Private Universities in Nigeria Offering Pharmacy
• List of Private Universities in Nigeria That Offer Medicine and Surgery

Gone are the days when private universities are widely portrayed as substandard, compared to their government-owned counterparts. Today, we now have numerous private universities among the so-called Nigerian “Ivy league” schools. The upsurge in the standard of Nigerian private universities, coupled with the gradual degradation of the public varsities, have resulted in a consequent increase in the number of students seeking admission into private schools.

So, if you are a student who wants to enrol in a private university in Nigeria, this article will narrow down your search, and show you the private university that best serves your needs.

Herein, we’ll be bringing you the list of private universities in Nigeria, as well as their entry requirements, courses on offer, fees and locations among others.

First Private University in Nigeria

Private schools in Nigeria are more revered at the primary and secondary levels, compared to the higher institutions. Nevertheless, the private universities in Nigeria are fast gaining ground against their public counterparts. However, the question here is: Which private university is the first in Nigeria?

The first private university in Nigeria is Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO), which is located in Edo State. The school was established in 1999 by a prominent Edo philanthropist and billionaire – Chief Gabriel Igbinedion (CFR).

Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO) stands out today as, not only the oldest, but also one of the best private universities in Nigeria. The university is currently being marshaled by Professor (Rev.) Osaghae Eghosa – the Vice Chancellor.

List of Private Universities in Nigeria That Offer Medicine and Surgery

Medicine and Surgery is arguably the most sought-after course in the Nigeria today. And its accreditation is strictly restricted by the relevant regulatory bodies (NUC, NMA and others). Hence, only a handful of Nigerian private universities are deemed worthy (adequately equipped) of offering the course. The most significant factor, in this regard, is the availability of a state or federal owned teaching hospital (for medical practicals). And only few private universities have access to such facility.

Below is a list of private universities in Nigeria that offer Medicine and Surgery (fees inclusive):

• Igbinedion University, Okada (IOU), Edo State (approximately 1 million Naira per session).
• Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State (approximately 2.5 million Naira per session).
• Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Oyo State (approximately 2.5 million Naira per session.)
• Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State (approx. 1.5 million Naira per session).
• Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State (approx. 2.5 million Naira per session).
• Bingham University, New Karu, Nasarawa State (approx. 1 million Naira per session).
• Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State (1.5 million Naira/session).

Above is the list of private universities in Nigeria that offer Medicine and Surgery. As you can see, the “per session fee” in each of the universities is in 7 figures. So, if you are seeking (or want to seek) admission into any of these schools for your medical programme, you’ll need a whole lot of cash.

List of Private Universities in Nigeria Offering Pharmacy

Pharmacy is a basic medical course, and also one of the most revered courses in Nigeria. In fact, some Medicine rejects (who couldn’t meet up with the requirements of Medicine and Surgery) often consider Pharmacy as an alternative. However, the number of universities (both private and public) offering the course is very scanty.

According to the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), there are only two private universities in Nigeria that are accredited to offer Pharmacy in Nigeria.

Below is a list of the two private universities offering Pharmacy:

1. Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State

Madonna University is obviously one of the most popular private universities in Nigeria. And it is one of the only two private universities that are accredited by PCN (Pharmacists Council of Nigeria) and NUC (National University Commission).

Obtaining a Pharmacy degree in Madonna University doesn’t come cheap. Total fees per session often run up to about 1 million Naira.

2. Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO)

Igbinedion University, as the oldest private university, is surely a pacesetter. It makes up the list of private universities in Nigeria offering Pharmacy.

Students of Pharmacy in IOU pays a minimum fee of 895,000 Naira per session.

List of Private Universities in Nigeria that Offer Nursing

Nursing is another top-rated course in Nigeria. And like other medical courses, there are only few private universities offering it.

Below is a list of private universities in Nigeria that offer Nursing:

• Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO) – 895,000 Naira per session (Nursing fees)
• Bowen University – 1 million Naira per session (Nursing fees).
• Gregory University – 550,000 Naira per session
• Babcock University – 168,000 Naira
• Afe Babalola University -1 million Naira
• Bingham University – 575,000 Naira
• Madonna University – 560,000 Naira
• Adeleke University – 450,000 Naira
• Lead City University (Ibadan, Oyo State) – 560,000 Naira
• Achievers University (Ondo State) – 500,000 Naira

List of Private Universities in Nigeria That Offer Law

Law is probably the most revered course in Nigeria today, as evident in the number of lawyers holding esteemed positions in the country. Virtually all standard universities in Nigeria are offering Law, and this include a good number of private universities.

Below is a list of private universities in Nigeria that offer Law:

• Madonna University – 587,000 Naira (per session)
• Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) – 2,235,000 per session
• Igbinedion University, Okada (IOU) – 895,000 (per session).
• American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Adamawa State – 1,600,000 Naira (per session)
• Achievers University – 700,000 Naira
• Lead City University – 625,000 Naira
• Ben Idahosa University (BIU), Benin City, Edo State – 1,200,000 Naira
• Adeleke University – 450,000 Naira
• Gregory University – 900,000 Naira
• Babcock University – 525,000 Naira

There are few more private universities offering Law in Nigeria. However, the above listed universities are the top-ranking ones.

Cheapest Private Universities in Nigeria

There are many words to qualify private universities in Nigeria, but cheap is obviously not one of them. Nevertheless, some are quite cheaper than others.

In this section, we’ll be looking at some of the cheapest private universities in Nigeria.

• Rhema University (Abia State) – 450,000 Naira per session (minimum).
• Fountain University (Osun State) – 350,000 Naira
• Babcock University – 290,000
• Crescent University (Ogun State) – 280,000
• Adeleke University – 270,000 Naira
• Lead City University – 200,000 Naira
• Obong University (Akwa Ibom State) – 180,000 Naira
• Oduduwa University (Osun State) – 170,000 Naira
• Ajayi Crowther University (Oyo State) – 160,000 Naira
• Al Hikmah University (Kwara State) – 100,000 Naira

Private universities in Nigeria have greatly evolved over the past 5 years or thereabout. Many of them can now stand toe-to-toe with the so called “best universities” in the country.

As portrayed in this article, the only obvious downside of these schools is their relatively high tuition fees, compared to the public universities.

Nevertheless, they offer some of the best obtainable tertiary education in Nigeria. So, if you have the means, you can enroll in any of the above-listed universities.