Private Universities In Nigeria 2023

As a student who does not want to be involved in the hurdles of registration and stress associated with Nigerian public universities, we have compiled a list of the private universities in Nigeria for you.

We have also taken the pain of compiling Nigeria’s cheapest and most expensive private universities, their fees, ranking, and admission requirements.

Once upon a time, universities owned by the government were the only options for students seeking to enter higher learning institutions in Nigeria.

But because of the inability of these universities to accommodate the thousands of students who finish high school each year, the creation of private universities in Nigeria to offer students more opportunities so they can obtain higher education has become a good option.

In Nigeria, students reject many of these private universities for public ones. Nevertheless, the recent successes of many of these private institutions seem to have changed the trend. For example, we know that many private institutions in Nigeria now produce excellent graduates who can compete with their counterparts in public institutions. The only difference between them is that private universities have higher tuition cost than government-owned universities.

Also, a very important advantage of attending private universities is the high quality of education available to their students. Their certificates are sometimes accepted in Nigeria and outside the country’s shores because they are internationally accepted. Another advantage is that they hardly go on strike compared to government-owned universities.

Cheapest Private Universities in Nigeria and Their Fees 

Some private universities have very expensive tuition fees. Nevertheless, some private institutions are still affordable for those who can not pay the costly tuition required by some of these institutions but still desire to study in private universities.

Here are some of the cheapest private universities in Nigeria and their fees:

Al-Hikmah University

The Al-Hikmah University located in Ilorin, Kwara State, a private university in Nigeria that was founded in 2005 by the Abdur-Raheem Oladimeji Islamic Foundation (AROIF), Nigeria. Thereafter, the granting of a License to function as a Conventional Private University by the Federal Government of Nigeria License No. 010 on January 7, 2005, brought this university into existence.

It began academic-related activities in the 2005/2006 academic session with seventy (70) students, spreading them across the three (3) take-off Colleges: (Humanities, Management Sciences, and Natural Sciences).

Al-Hikmah University stands out among Nigerian universities as a conventional private university with a well-defined mission to promote academic and moral excellence for the good of the Nigerian nation and the progress of humanity in general.

According to private universities in Nigeria ranking on UniRank, Al-Hikmah University is ranked 5th amongst private universities and 30th in the country. It has a tuition fee between N103,500 to N686,000. It is among the cheapest private universities in Nigeria.

Their admission requirements are as follows:

 UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

Applicants should have at least five (5) credits in WASSCE/NECO/GCE/NABTEB/SISC Examinations or their equivalent in English Language and Mathematics (for Degree Programmes in the Faculty of Management Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences and some Courses in Education) not more than two (2) sittings in the subjects relevant to the proposed Undergraduate Program they wish to enroll for.

SUB-DEGREE (DIPLOMA) PROGRAMMES

Applicants should have a minimum of four (4) Credit passes in not more than two (2) sittings in the relevant subjects in WASSCE/NECO/GCE/NABTEB/SISC.

POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

  • Master’s Degree: Applicants for the academic Master’s degree programs who are graduates of Al-Hikmah University or any other recognized Universities must have a minimum of a Second Class Honours Degree (Upper Division).
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE): Applicants must possess a first degree from Al-Hikmah University Ilorin or any other recognized University. Holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) are also eligible. However, all candidates must satisfy the University’s O’level requirements.

Al-Hikmah University Website

Oduduwa University

Oduduwa University, a private university in Nigeria, was granted the license (certificate number: 38) to operate as a private University by the Federal Government of Nigeria on November 3, 2009. The University was named after Oduduwa, the forefather of the Yoruba race. It is at Ipetumodu, a town in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State.

According to UniRank, Oduduwa University is ranked 35th amongst private universities and 106th in the country. It has a tuition fee between N170,000 to N197,000.

Their admission requirements are as follows:

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

Ordinary Level: The minimum entry requirement for undergraduate programs at Oduduwa University is credit level passes in 5 subjects at the O’Level examinations. The subjects must include English Language, Mathematics, and one relevant subject obtained at at least two sittings.

Direct Entry: 2 or 3 A’ Level Credit Passes are required.

OND, HND, NCE, or other Certificates from recognized institutions are accepted for Direct Entry applications.

Oduduwa University Website

Ajayi Crowther University

Ajayi Crowther University situated in Oyo State, is a private university in Nigeria founded by the Supra Diocesan Board (West) of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and has its origins in the defunct CMS training institution in Abeokuta and the defunct St. Andrews College, Oyo.

It began as a CMS Training Institution in Abeokuta in 1853. Thereafter, it was relocated to Lagos (1868 to 1896). In March 1896, it was moved to Oyo retrospectively in 1920. The University is named after the late Samuel Ajayi Crowther, the first African Bishop who translated the Bible into Yoruba.

UniRank says Ajayi Crowther University is ranked 17th amongst private universities and 79th in the country. It has a tuition fee between N162,000 to N782,000. It is among the cheapest private universities in Nigeria.

Admission Requirements

Ajayi Crowther University Website

Obong University

Obong University is one of the private universities in Nigeria; it is the summit of many years of planning and hard work which commenced before the incorporation of the Proprietors, Dr. Moses Akpanudo Foundation, in 1994 with the main aim of promoting education at all levels of learning and to also embark on other humanitarian endeavors that ensure the wellbeing of Nigerian citizens.

According to UniRank, Obong University is ranked 68th amongst private universities and 149th in the country. It has a tuition fee between N180,000 to N200,000. It is among the cheapest private universities in Nigeria.

For information on the admission requirements, click

Admission Requirements

Obong University Website

Lead City University

Lead City University, submitted its application to the National Universities Commission (NUC) in 2002. The Standing Committee on Private Universities (SCOPU) carried out the verification and final assessment visits in August and September 2003, respectively.

At the end of the assessment visits, the profile of the Proprietor of Lead City University showed that it was capable and had the resources to establish a private university.

After that, it was “approved for immediate take-off” by the Board of NUC in December 2003 as a prelude to the ratification by the Federal Executive Council, which came into effect on February 16, 2005.

According to private universities in Nigeria ranked by UniRank, Lead City University is unranked. It has a tuition fee between N200,500 to N550,000. Their admission requirements are as follows: Undergraduate Admissions General Requirements (JAMB/Direct Entry)The minimum entry requirement for admission is GCE O/L, SSCE/NABTEB/ NECO or its equivalent credit level pass in five(5) subjects, English Language, and Mathematics inclusive, from not more than two sittings. Interested applicants with additional (Direct Entry) qualifications such as University Diploma, NCE, IJMB, OND, GCE ‘A’ Level or equivalent professional qualification, etc., will begin from part II. However, candidates awaiting results can apply provided they would provide evidence of results before resumption. Lead City University Website

Crescent University

Crescent University is one of the private universities in Nigeria. It is an Islamic, non-sectarian and co-educational institution that stands for scholarship, service, and character,

It is the pioneer Islamic University in Nigerian and was founded in 2005 with a mission to create world-class human resources so as to tackle global development challenges; they offer courses in Business, Information and Communication Technology, Accounting, Economics, Actuarial Sciences, Mass Communication, Chemical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Political Science and Banking.

According to private universities in Nigeria ranking by UniRank, Crescent University is ranked 26th amongst private universities and 95th in the country. It has a tuition fee between N283,000 to N1,000,000.

For admission requirements:

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Postgraduate Admission RequirementsCrescent University Website

Rhema University

Rhema University (RU) is an accredited private Christian university based in Aba in Abia State, Nigeria. Living Word Ministries International is the founder. It was granted a license by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in 2009.

Also, according to private universities in Nigeria ranked by UniRank, Rhema University is ranked 52nd among private universities and 129th in the country. It has a tuition fee between N452,000 to N464,000. Rhema University is one of the cheapest private universities in Nigeria. Admission Requirements Rhema University Website

Most Expensive Private Universities in Nigeria and Their Fees

Some private universities have very cheap tuition fees. Nevertheless, there are still some private institutions that are expensive and are not affordable for everyone who desires to study in private universities.

Here are some of the most expensive private universities in Nigeria and their fees:

Nile University of Nigeria

The Nigerian Tulip International College, one of Nigeria’s most expensive private universities, began humbly in September 1998. The school started with twenty-three (23) students in Abuja.

Notwithstanding, NTIC has multiplied into a network of schools across Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, Ogun, and the Yobe States.

According to private universities in Nigeria ranking by UniRank,  Nile University of Nigeria is ranked 13th among private universities and 58th in the country. It has a tuition fee between N1,700,000 to N5,750,000 depending on the course of study chosen by the student.

Admission Requirements

Nile University of Nigeria Website

American University of Nigeria (AUN)

American University of Nigeria (AUN) is a private university in Nigeria that provides the American style of higher learning programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. It was founded in 2004 and is the only American style university in Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to private universities in Nigeria ranking by UniRank,  AUN, one of the most expensive private universities in Nigeria, is ranked 13th among private universities and 58th in the country. Also, it has a tuition fee of at least N1,600,000 per semester.

Admission Requirements

American University of Nigeria Website

Igbinedion University

Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO) is the first private university in Nigeria. Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion CFR, a billionaire, philanthropist, and prominent Benin Chief, is the founder.

It was established in 1999 and is located at Okada, the headquarters of Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Edo State.

According to private universities in Nigeria ranking by UniRank, Igbinedion University is ranked 21st amongst private universities and 85th in the country. The highest tuition fee at this university is N3,500,000 per semester for medical students.

Admission Requirements

Igbinideon University Website

Babcock University

Babcock University is a private Christian co-educational Nigerian university owned and managed by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria. It is located at Ilishan-Remo, equidistant between Ibadan and Lagos.

According to private universities in Nigeria ranked by UniRank, Babcock University is ranked 3rd among private universities and 15th in the country. The tuition fee at this university is between N502,000 to N3,160,000.

Admission Requirements

Babcock University Website Link

Afe Babalola University

Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) is in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. A lawyer and philanthropist, Afe Babalola, started establishing it in 2009. The University offers academic programs in six Colleges: Sciences, Law, Engineering, Social and Management Sciences, Medicine and Health Sciences, and Postgraduate Studies.

According to UniRank, it is ranked 3rd among private universities and 15th in the country. The tuition fee at this university is between N665,000 to N1,577,000.

Admission Requirements

Afe Babalola Website

Bowen University

Bowen University is a private Baptist Christian Nigerian university owned and operated by the Nigerian Baptist Convention at Iwo in Osun State. 17 July 17, 2001, was the day the Nigerian Baptist Convention founded it.

most expensive private universities in Nigeria
most expensive private universities in Nigeria

According to UniRank, it is ranked 7th amongst private universities and 47th in the country. The tuition fee at this university, from our research on private universities in Nigeria and their fees between N470,000 to N1,850,000.

Admission Requirements

Bowen University Website

Benson Idahosa University

Benson Idahosa University (BIU) is a private Christian university in Benin City, Nigeria, renamed in honor of Archbishop Benson Idahosa, a Charismatic Pentecostal minister from Benin City, Nigeria in the image of his evangelical beliefs.

According to UniRank, it is ranked 15th among private universities and 72nd in the country. The tuition fee is between N278,000 to N1,150,000.

Admission Requirements

Benson Idahosa Website

The list of all Private institutions shows there are 79 Private Universities in Nigeria presently.

According to the College Board, the average tuition and fees for the 2017–2018 school year were $34,740 at private colleges, $9,970 for state residents at public colleges, and $25,620 for out-of-state residents attending public universities.

Nigeria is subdivided into 36 states and a federal capital territory (FCT) in Abuja. Each state has an Institution managed by the state government.

The first private Institution in Nigeria is Igbinedion University, established in 1999 and located at Okada, headquarters of Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Edo State.

The government does not subsidize private university funding. On the other hand,, public schools fee is subsidized by the government(Federal or State) and thus can pass on those savings to students.

However, since private colleges often have good financial aid offerings, it is possible for some students to pay less than they would elsewhere.

Conclusion

We believe in having given you information that will aid the decision about the choice of a good private university in Nigeria.

Do read carefully before making that choice.

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