Top 10 most expensive private universities in Nigeria for 2025/2026

Private universities in Nigeria have grown from a handful of institutions to over 160 licensed universities, according to the National Universities Commission (NUC). For the 2025/2026 academic session, tuition fees across these institutions range from about N525,000 to N11.99 million per session, depending on the institution and programme.

Recent economic developments worsened by inflation and forex volatility have pushed fees far beyond the reach of an average Nigerian parent. Medicine, Law, and Engineering remain the highest-priced courses based on approved institutional fee schedules.

10. Redeemer’s University

Redeemer’s University recorded undergraduate fees ranging from about N666,500 to N2,090,000 per session for the 2025/2026 academic year. The Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences ranges from about N846,500 to N1,636,300 per session, while Law remains the highest-priced programme at about N1,141,500 to N2,090,000 per session. Engineering, computing, and related programmes typically fall between about N973,000 and N1,450,000, while management and social sciences range from about N884,000 to N1,200,000. Humanities courses such as English and Theatre Arts are generally priced between about N666,500 and N1,100,000 per session.

Redeemer’s University is owned by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and was granted its operational licence by the Federal Government on January 7, 2005. Academic activities began on October 11, 2005 at the Redemption Camp in Mowe, Ogun State, before the university moved to its permanent campus in Ede, Osun State in 2014. The institution was founded under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the RCCG.

9. Babcock University

Babcock University recorded tuition fees ranging from about N813,036.90 to N2,001,987 per session for the 2025/2026 academic year. Law is the highest-priced programme at about N2,001,987, while Education is among the lowest at about N813,036.90. Most courses fall within the N800,000 to N1.5 million range, with medical and engineering programmes generally higher. Students also pay for feeding and accommodation. Feeding costs N952,000 per session for a two-meal plan or N1.428 million for a three-meal plan, while accommodation ranges from about N397,712 to N564,180 per session.

The university is located in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, and is owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria. It was founded in 1959 and became a full university in 1999 after approval by the NUC.

8. Covenant University (CU)

Covenant University recorded tuition fees ranging from about N1.71 million to N2.01 million per session for the 2025/2026 academic session. The lowest-priced courses, such as Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management and Marketing, are about N1.71 million, while most programmes in sciences, social sciences, and management fall between N1.73 million and N1.96 million. Engineering courses, including Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical/Electronics, Mechanical, and Petroleum Engineering, are the highest-priced at about N2.01 million per session. The fees cover tuition, examinations, ICT services, medical care, sports, registration, and identity card issuance.

The university is located in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, and is owned by the Living Faith Church Worldwide. It was founded by David Oyedepo and received its licence from the NUC in 2002.

7. American University of Nigeria (AUN)

The American University of Nigeria recorded tuition fees ranging from about N2.44 million to N3.51 million per session for the 2025/2026 academic session. Standard programmes are priced at about N2.44 million per session, while specialised courses including Law, Engineering, Nursing, and Public Health rise to about N3.51 million per session. The university is located in Yola, Adamawa State, and was founded in 2003 by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. It was initially established as ABTI American University before being renamed AUN in 2007. The institution operates a single campus covering over 2,500 acres of land donated by the late Alhaji (Dr.) Aliyu Musdafa, the 11th Lamido Adamawa. It offers programmes across Law, Engineering, Computing, Economics, Social Sciences, and Health Sciences.

6. Bowen University

Bowen University recorded total fees ranging from about N615,900 to over N5.07 million per session for the 2025/2026 academic session. Medicine and Surgery (Pre-Clinical) is the highest-priced programme at about N5.07 million per session, while Nursing costs about N1.91 million, Medical Laboratory Science about N1.79 million, and Physiotherapy about N1.68 million.

For Nigerian parents and students, these figures highlight the growing cost burden of private university education. With the naira under pressure and inflation eating into household incomes, choosing a university now requires careful financial planning beyond just tuition fees.