Cheapest Universities in Nigeria with Tuition Fees
Nigeria is an African country located on the Gulf of Guinea, with many landmarks and wildlife reserves. The capital is Abuja while Lagos is the largest city. Her economy thrives on natural resources, oil and gas production, agriculture, transport, and communication; it still maintains the 2nd largest economy in the region. Nigeria is a multiethnic and multicultural country with major ethnic groups being Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba. Education is fairly affordable in Nigeria compared to other African countries or the world generally.
- Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
Year of establishment – 1988
Location – Abeokuta
Average Tuition Fees – $50
Website – https://www.funaab.edu.ng
This is a government-owned university and the most affordable in Nigeria, it also tops as one of the best in Nigeria specializing in Agriculture ranking first among the 3 Agricultural based universities in Nigeria. Other programs include Economics, science, etc.
- Ahmadu Bello University
Year of establishment – 1962
Location – Zaria
Average Tuition Fees – $70
Website – https://www.abu.edu.ng
This is also a government-owned university the best in the Northern part of Nigeria, and also tops among the best universities in Nigeria. Some of the available programs are medicine, Engineering, science, economics, political Science, etc.
- University of Ibadan
Year of establishment – 1948
Location – Ibadan
Average Tuition Fees – $70
Website – https://www.ui.edu.ng
This is also a government-owned and the oldest university in Nigeria. It is the best university in the country and has ranked consistently among the top 1000 world universities. It was initially the university college of Ibadan and was recognized as one of the colleges in the university of London before it gained autonomy as the first university in Nigeria. It is a sought-after institution and some of its programs are medicine, engineering, science, education, political Science, etc. Also offers distance learning services.
- University of Lagos
Year of establishment – 1962
Location – Lagos
Average Tuition Fees – $80
Website – https://www.unilag.edu.ng
Is a government-owned university located in the largest city of Nigeria, also ranks among the best universities and maintained high academic excellence. Some of the courses are engineering, science, economics, medicine, etc.
- Obafemi Awolowo University
Year of establishment – 1962
Location – Ile ife
Average Tuition Fees – $80
Website – https://www.oau.edu.ng
Is a government-owned university, 3rd oldest, and among the best universities. The university campus has been heralded as the most beautiful campus in west Africa. Some of the available programs are medicine, Engineering, science, arts, etc.
Other universities in Nigeria with Tuition Fees below $100
- University of Abuja, Abuja
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka
- University of Benin, Benin
- Bayero University of Kano, Kano
- Federal University of Technology, Owerri
- University of Jos, Jos
- University of Ilorin, Ilorin.
- University of calabar, Calabar
- University of port Harcourt, portharcourt.
Studying in Nigeria on a budget — what the fees above actually mean
Tuition is only one line in the budget, and on its own it is a poor guide to whether you can afford to study in Nigeria. A country with low tuition and high living costs can end up more expensive than one with higher tuition and cheap accommodation. Work out the total annual cost before you compare anywhere.
How to check a tuition figure before you rely on it
Fee figures on any website — including this one — go out of date. Universities revise tuition annually, and governments change policy. Before you rely on a number:
- Open the university’s own website and find the fees page for international or non-national students. That is the only figure that counts.
- Check the academic year the figure applies to. A 2023 fee table tells you very little about what you will pay in 2026/2027.
- Confirm whether the price is per year, per semester or per credit. Per-credit pricing is common and makes cheap-looking programmes expensive.
- Check whether international students pay a different rate. In many systems local and EU students pay far less than everyone else.
- Email the admissions office and keep the reply. A written quote protects you.
A live example of why this matters: Norway’s public universities were free for everyone until 2023, when parliament introduced cost-covering fees for non-EU/EEA students — and non-European enrolment fell by roughly 80% within two years. In June 2025 the government proposed letting institutions set their own fees again, including at zero, from August 2026. Anyone relying on a five-year-old “tuition-free” article would have got it badly wrong in both directions.
Good news on entry: Nigeria is an ECOWAS member state, and so is Nigeria. Under the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement, Nigerian citizens can enter Nigeria without a visa. You will still need to satisfy the institution’s own admission requirements and register with the immigration authorities for a residence permit if you are staying beyond the permitted visa-free period. This removes one of the biggest cost and rejection risks in studying abroad.
Language of instruction: English is an official or primary language of instruction in Nigeria, so you will not face a language barrier in the classroom. Many institutions also waive IELTS or TOEFL where your previous degree was taught in English — and Nigerian universities teach in English. Ask the admissions office directly whether your Nigerian certificate qualifies for a waiver before you pay for a test.
Build a realistic total-cost budget
Before applying to any institution in Nigeria, price all of the following. Applicants routinely underestimate the second half of this list:
- Tuition for international students, for the correct academic year
- Application and acceptance fees, which are usually non-refundable
- Accommodation — on-campus versus private rent can differ enormously
- Living costs — food, transport, data, utilities
- Health insurance, which is compulsory in most study destinations
- Visa or permit fees, plus biometrics and courier charges
- Flights, and a return flight if the visa requires proof of one
- Proof of funds — money you must show you hold, on top of what you actually spend
- Document costs — transcripts, notarisation, apostille, translation, courier
- The naira exchange rate, and how a further depreciation would affect year two
How to bring the cost down honestly
- Apply for scholarships in parallel, not afterwards. Most funding deadlines fall before or alongside admission deadlines, not after.
- Look at government scholarships from Nigeria itself. Many countries fund international students directly, and these are often less competitive than the famous named awards.
- Ask about assistantships and tuition waivers at postgraduate level. Teaching or research assistantships can cut or eliminate tuition.
- Ask about fee instalments. Many institutions allow termly payment, which matters when you are converting naira.
- Check student work rights on your visa — how many hours, and whether you may work at all. Never plan a budget that depends on illegal work.
- Compare smaller cities. Rent outside the capital is often the single biggest saving available.
A warning about agents
No agent can guarantee you admission or a visa. If someone promises either in exchange for money, walk away. Legitimate agents are paid by institutions, publish their registration details, and will never ask you to send money to a personal account. Apply directly to the university wherever you can — almost every institution accepts direct applications, and it is free or cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Can Nigerians study in Nigeria?
Yes. Nigerian students are admitted to institutions in Nigeria subject to meeting the academic entry requirements, the language requirement and the immigration rules set out above.
Is the cheapest university the best choice?
Not automatically. Check that the institution is recognised by the national regulator in Nigeria and, if you plan to return home or move on, that its degrees are accepted where you intend to work. A cheap degree from an unrecognised institution costs you everything.
Do I need IELTS to study in Nigeria?
It depends on the programme and the institution. Where teaching is in English, many institutions waive the test for applicants whose previous degree was taught in English — which covers most Nigerian graduates. Always confirm in writing before paying for a test.
How much money do I need to show?
That is set by the immigration authorities, not the university, and it changes. Check the official government source for Nigeria shortly before you apply, because the figure is usually updated annually.
Can I work while studying?
Some countries permit limited part-time work on a student visa and some do not. Confirm the rule for your specific visa type, and treat any earnings as a supplement rather than the basis of your budget.
Related guides
- International scholarships for Nigerians
- Best scholarships for Nigerians and Africans
- More study-abroad and scholarship guides
Tuition fees, visa rules and proof-of-funds thresholds change every year. Always confirm the current figures on the official university and government websites for Nigeria before you apply or pay anything.