Top 11 cheapest Federal universities in Nigeria 2025

Looking for the cheapest university in Nigeria to get quality education? Read our list of the top 10 cheapest universities in Nigeria to make an informed decision.

Written By

Ernest SundayFreelance football and education writer

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), the military institution where recruits are trained to become officers in the Nigerian Armed Forces, is the cheapest university in Nigeria with school fee between #33,000 to #50,000

The NDA was founded in 1964 in Kaduna state, one of Nigeria's richest states, as a joint-service military academy for the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, and Nigerian Navy.

Cadets are enrolled through a highly competitive selection process that includes a written examination, medical evaluation, and interview. 

The NDA's training programme is designed to develop the recruits' intellectual, leadership, and physical qualities in preparation for military service.

Cadets are commissioned as officers in the Nigerian Armed Forces and deployed to various units and formations across the country upon conclusion of their training. 

The NDA is regarded as one of the most prestigious military academies in Africa and has produced several of Nigeria's most distinguished military officers.

A public university located in Anambra State, Nigeria. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, popularly known as UNIZIK, is the 2nd on our list if 11 cheapest universities in Nigeria.

Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has five campuses: the main campus in Awka and four others in Nnewi, Oko-Ofia Premises, Agulu Premises, and Ifite Ogwari Campus.

The school offers undergraduate and postgraduate studies in both science and art courses.

As one of the cheapest federal universities in Nigeria, the school fee for Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, is between N25,300 and N68,000 for returning students, and N95,000 and N102,000 for newly admitted students, with an acceptance fee of N20,000, making education more affordable for the largely impoverished population.

Aside from the undergraduate and postgraduate programs, Nnamdi Azikiwe University also offers JUPEB, CEP, professional, and diploma programs.

Courses offered by Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has over 67 courses spread over its five campuses, namely:

• Crop Science
• Agricultural economics and extension
• Food science and technology
• Animal Science
• Soil science
• English Language and Literature
• History and International Studies
• Music
• Theatre and Film Studies
• Mass communication
• Accounting
• Political science
• Marketing
• Fine and applied arts
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Biology
• Computer science
• Library and Information Science, etc.

The Federal University of Technology, Owerri, is the first university of technology in the south-south and southeast regions of Nigeria and the oldest university of technology in Nigeria.

The federal government-owned university offers undergraduate and master's programs for every scholar worldwide in science departments.

The Federal University of Technology, Owerri, is the 3rd on our list of the top 10+ cheapest university in Nigeria, with school fee ranging from N50,000 to N150,000 depending on your level and course of study.

The school fee for newly admitted students in FUTO is between N80,000 to N150,000 while returning students pay N50,000 to N80,000 depending on the course of study and level.

In addition to new student's school fees, they must pay an acceptance fee of N40,000.

Federal University of Technology, Owerri, has over 10 faculties offering several courses spread over the school.

Courses offered by Federal University of Technology, Owerri

The Federal University of Technology, Owerri, offers more than 52 courses, which we discussed in our previous article. Continue reading to learn more about FUTO courses.

The Federal University of Technology, Minna, one of the cheapest university in Nigeria, offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in different technological fields at a cheaper rate.

The Federal University of Technology, Minna, FUTMINA's school fee is around N54,950 for returning students, while newly admitted students pay N90,950 plus an acceptance fee of N20,000.

The school fees for foreign students are entirely different with newly admitted foreign students paying N90,950 plus $750 and returning students paying N54,950 plus $750.

The federal university is one of Nigeria's universities known for biotechnology expertise, having led the development of several vaccines.

The institution has over 21,982 students enrolled in over 48 undergraduate and 4069 postgraduate programs.

FUTMINA also runs a pre-degree program for scholars seeking admission into the school or other schools in Nigeria.

Courses offered by Federal University of Technology, Minna, FUTMINA

There are over 55 courses offered in 10 faculties at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, FUTMINA, namely:

• Food science and technology
• Aquaculture and fisheries technology
• Agricultural economics and extension technology
• Electrical and electronics engineering
• Computer engineering
• Mechatronics engineering
• Building
• Architecture
• Urban and regional planning
• Physics, Chemistry
• Geology
• Mathematics
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Animal biology, etc.

Located in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, the University of Calabar is a public university founded in 1975 as a branch of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

The institution is one of cheapest federal universities in Nigeria, with a school fees that varies according to departments and levels. The school fee for newly admitted students is between 59,850 to 61,850 and N46,350 for returning students.

For non-science students, the school fee is N59,850 for new students, N44,350 for returning students, and N47,350 for the final year.

For science students, the school fee is N61,850 for fresh students, N46,350 for returning students, and N49,350 for final year students.

Newly admitted Medical students pay N63,850, returning medical student pay N48,350, and medical students in their final year pay N51,350.

The acceptance fee to the University of Calabar, UNICAL, is N40,300, paid by newly admitted students.

The University of Calabar has over 40,645 students studying part-time or full-time undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various departments.

Courses offered by the University of Calabar

The University of Calabar, UNICAL, offers both science and non-science courses in various faculties, namely:

• Accounting
• Agricultural economics and extension
• Applied Chemistry
• Banking and Finance
• Biochemistry
• Business Education
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Fisheries
• Estate Management
• Food science and technology
• Geology
• Law
• Mass communication, etc.

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, is another government-owned university in northern Nigeria, precisely Zaria, Kaduna State. It was established in 1962, placing it among Nigeria's oldest universities.

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, is ranked sixth on our list of the cheapest universities in Nigeria, with school fees ranging from N66,500 to N92,000 for Nigerian students, N200,000 to N225,000 for non-Nigerian students who reside in Nigeria, and N1,537,500 to N3,075,000 for non-Nigerian students who do not reside in Nigeria.

These school fees also depends on the course of study and level. Newly admitted students in Ahmed Bello University usually pay acceptance fee of N30,000.

Courses offered by Ahmed Bello University, Zaria

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has over 92 courses spread over 17 faculties and 106 departments. Some of these courses are:

• Mass communication
• Political science and international studies
• Agricultural engineering
• Chemical engineering
• Civil engineering
• Civil law
• Public law
• Chemistry
• Computer science
• Physics
• Mathematics
• Geology
• Statistics
• Nursing Science
• Radiology
• Medicine, etc

Located in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, with four campuses, University of Uyo is the 7th institution on our list of the cheapest universities in Nigeria.

The school offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various departments spread across 14 faculties in arts and science.

The tuition fee at the University of Uyo ranges from N77,750 to N112,750 for freshers and N75,750 to N110,750 for returning, depending on the course of study and level.

The acceptance fee for newly admitted students in the University of Uyo is N30,000.

Aside from undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, the University of Uyo also offers other programmes like the sandwich and continuing education programmes.

Courses offered by University of Uyo

The University of Uyo has over 110 courses spread across different departments, some of which are:

• Botany and Ecological Studies
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Microbiology
• Computer Science
• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Animal and Environmental Biology
• Economics
• Geography
• Political Science and Public Administration
• Psychology
• Sociology and Anthropology
• Communication Arts
• English
• History and International Studies
• Linguistics and Nigerian Languages
• Music
• Philosophy
• Religious and Cultural Studies
• Theatre Arts

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Obafemi Awolowo University is a public-owned university in Ile-Ife, Osun State, with a large population of over 32,000 students, offering science and art courses.

Obafemi Awolo is the 8th on our list of the cheapest university in Nigeria, with school fees ranging from N89,200 to N190,200, depending on the course of study and level. It is also among the top universities globally.

Newly admitted students in Law, arts, social science, and administration students pay N151,200 while returning students pay N89,200.

Newly admitted students in science, technology, agriculture pay N163,200 while returning students pay N101,200.

Newly admitted students in college of health science and faculty of pharmacy pay N190,200 while returning students pay N128,200.

Also, fresh students in Obafemi Awolowo university pay acceptance fee of N20,000.

With a large population of students, Obafemi Awolowo University has two colleges, 13 faculties, 92 departments, and 19 research centres.

Courses offered by Obafemi Awolowo University

Obafemi Awolowo University offers over 96 courses, namely:

• Nursing Science
• Music
• Microbiology
• Medicine and Surgery
• Mechanical Engineering
• Law
• Industrial Chemistry
• Health Education
• Geology
• English Language
• Economics
• Dentistry
• Civil Engineering
• Building
• Biochemistry
• Agricultural Economics
• Accounting
• Architecture
• Botany
• Business Administration
• Business Education, etc.

Bayero University, Kano's first university, has a population of over 49,999 students and a huge academic staff.

With school fees ranging from N95,000 to N600,000 and acceptance fee of N10,000 for new students, Bayero University is the 9th university on our list of the cheapest universities in Nigeria.

Fresh students in Bayero university pay school fees of N105,000 to N170,000, returning students pay N95,000 to N100,000, and foreign students pay N200,000 to N600,000.

All of which depends on the course of study and level. The institution has five different campuses with over 18 faculties and 94 departments.

Bayero University offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with 124 undergraduate and 264 postgraduate courses.

Courses offered by Bayero University, Kano

Bayero University offers a number of arts and science courses in its colleges and faculties. Some of these courses are:

• Clinical Science
• Basic medical science
• Electrical Engineering
• Dentistry
• Life sciences
• Physical sciences
• Pharmaceutical sciences
• Agricultural economics and extension
• Agronomy
• Civil engineering
• Computer engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Animal Science
• Soil science
• Agricultural engineering
• Mechatronics engineering
• Economics
• Political science
• Sociology, etc.

The University of Lagos is one of Nigeria's oldest universities, having existed since 1962.

It is ranked 10th on our list of the top 11 cheapest universities in Nigeria, with school fees ranging from N100,750 to N190,250 depending on the course and level.

The school fee for freshers is about N126,325 for courses without lab & studio and N176,300 for courses with lab & studio.

For returning students, the school fee is around N100,750 for courses without lab & studio and N140, 250 for courses with lab & studio.

Medical student pay a total of N190,250 as school fees. Also, school fees in UNILAG depends solely on the course of study and level.

Though it demands a low school fee, the Federal Government-owned University is ranked among the best federal tertiary schools in Nigeria and among the top universities on the continent.

UNILAG has over 48,680 students enrolled in its over 239 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at its three campuses in mainland Lagos.

Courses offered by University of Lagos, UNILAG

Our previous article covered all the information about UNILAG courses, including its faculties. Read through to help you make an informed decision.

The eleventh on our list of the cheapest university in Nigeria is the Federal University of Technology, Akure, a Nigerian public university in Akure, Ondo State, which only educates science students.

The school, established in 1981, currently has over 15,000 students, of whom 13,000 are undergraduates and 2,000 are post-graduates.

Despite being one of the universities with low school fees, the institution is ranked eighth on our list of the best federal institutions in Nigeria.

School fees at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, ranges from N185,000 to N250,000 depending on the course of study and level.

The school fees for new students or freshers is about N250,000 with an acceptance fee of N40,000 while that of returning students is about N185,000.

It's important to note that the school fees encompasses tuition fee and other charges.

Currently, the tuition fee at the Federal University of Technology is N100,000 for both freshers and returning students.

Courses offered by the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA

There are over 42 courses offered by the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA, some of which are:

• Agricultural and Resource Economics
• Agricultural Extension and Communications Technology
• Animal Production and Health
• Crop, Soil, and Pest Management
• Ecotourism and Wildlife Management
• Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Food Science and Technology
• Forestry and Wood Technology
• Anatomy
• Biometric Technology
• Clinical Sciences
• Mechanical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical/Electronics Engineering
• Agricultural Engineering
• Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
• Mining Engineering, etc