Top 10 Most Expensive Private Universities in Nigeria
Nigeria’s higher education system increasingly relies on private universities, which provide an alternative to state ones that are frequently disrupted by congestion, underfunding, and strikes. However, many Nigerians cannot afford this alternative due to its exorbitant cost.
Individuals and organizations that have made significant investments in private education are the driving forces behind these establishments, influencing not only campuses but also the course of higher education in the nation.
The proprietors of the top ten priciest private universities in Nigeria are listed here.
Wigwe University
The late Dr. Herbert Wigwe, the former CEO of Access Bank, founded Wigwe University, which is situated in Isiokpo, Rivers State. The university started operations later that year, despite Dr. Wigwe’s death in a helicopter crash in early 2024, which occurred before the university’s official opening. The university’s first class of more than 200 students was admitted in October 2024 after receiving a license from the National Universities Commission in June 2023. It provides courses in six colleges, such as arts, engineering, and allied health. Wigwe Institution is currently the most costly private institution in Nigeria, with tuition costs ranging from ₦9.6 million to around ₦12 million and living expenses exceeding ₦3.8 million.
Babcock University
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria owns Babcock University, a private institution that is a member of the global Adventist educational network. Originally founded as the Adventist College of West Africa in 1959, it was one of the first private universities to receive a National Universities Commission license, becoming a university in 1999.
The university, which is situated in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, is presided over by Professor Ademola S. Tayo and chaired by Bassey Effiong Okon Udoh. Depending on the program, tuition can range from ₦800,000 to ₦1.5 million. Medicine and surgery, for example, cost between ₦5.5 million and ₦7 million every session, while law costs ₦2 million. The cost of lodging varies from ₦300,000 to ₦600,000, contingent on the type of hostel.
Nile University of Nigeria
Honoris United Universities, a pan-African higher education network supported by Actis Capital, is the owner of Nile University of Nigeria. In July 2020, the group expanded into West Africa by entirely acquiring the university. The CEO of Honoris, which has operations in ten countries, is Dr. Jonathan Louw, a physician who has previously served as CEO of Adcock Ingram and the South African National Blood Service. Founded in 2009, Nile University is based on a 113-hectare campus in Abuja. Program-specific tuition rates range from ₦2.8 million to ₦3.5 million annually, with medicine and surgery costing ₦6.5 million per session and law costing ₦4.25 million.
Pan Atlantic University
The Lagos Business School started executive education in 1991 and later evolved into Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), a private non-profit organization in Lagos State. It began offering undergraduate courses in 2004 after receiving its official university license in 2002. The university emphasizes work as a means of service and personal development, drawing influence from the ideas of Opus Dei founder St. Josemaría Escrivá.
PAU has two campuses: the Lagos Business School is located on the postgraduate campus in Ajah, while the main undergraduate campus is located in Ibeju-Lekki. Henry Odein Ajumogobia, SAN, OFR, is the chair of the council that oversees the organization. Depending on the field of study, tuition for the 2024–2025 academic year can range from ₦4.1 million to ₦6.3 million.
Afe Babalola University (BUAD)
Aare Afe Babalola, a well-known supporter of educational reform and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, established Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) in 2009. The university was founded as a private, non-profit organization and, according to the National Universities Commission (NUC), was constructed on its current location in Ado-Ekiti in under eight months. It started off with 101 students and now has over 8,000, with programs spread across six universities. After upgrading its international study center, it opened the ABUAD Business School in Ibadan in 2022. Beginning at ₦4.67 million, medicine and surgery tuition rose to ₦5.55 million in later years. The cost of other programs varies between 1.1 and 3.7 million naira per session.
Lead City University
In 2005, Lead City University, a private university in Ibadan, Oyo State, received its formal license. It was started by seasoned scholar Professor Jide Owoeye, who is also the chairman of the governing council and the founder of Eduserve Consult. The university, which offers a variety of degrees like medicine, pharmacy, nursing, and dentistry, is well-known for placing a high value on academic achievement and entrepreneurship. Some of the highest tuition costs at LCU are associated with health sciences programs: medicine costs ₦5.525 million annually, pharmacy and nursing cost ₦3.025 million apiece, and dentistry costs ₦2.525 million annually. To prevent confusion with other universities, the original proposal for the name City University was altered to Lead City University.
Bowen University
The Nigerian Baptist Convention formally founded Bowen University, a private Christian university in Iwo, Osun State, in 2001. It bears the name of the American missionary who started Baptist missionary activity in Nigeria, Reverend Thomas Jefferson Bowen. The Nigerian Baptist Convention President and university visitor, Rev. Dr. Israel A. Akanji, leads the council that oversees the institution, which combines academic study with Christian principles. Bowen provides a range of programs in several fields. Law costs ₦2.2 million, medicine costs ₦4.6 million annually, and other programs cost between ₦880,900 and ₦1.3 million every session.
American University of Nigeria (AUN)
Located in Yola, Adamawa State, the American University of Nigeria is a private, nonprofit institution. Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar established it in 2003 to establish the first development university. Operating from a 2,500-acre site provided by the late Lamido of Adamawa, AUN provides a liberal arts education in the American tradition. The National Universities Commission has accredited the university, which provides a variety of programs in many fields. While specialized programs like law, engineering, nursing, and public health cost ₦1.755 million per semester, the cost of tuition for a typical 15-credit course load is ₦1.221 million. A diversified Board of Trustees, comprising Chief Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, and Dr. Margee Ensign, oversees governance.
Redeemer’s University
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) is the owner of Redeemer’s University, a private Christian university in Ede, Osun State. The General Overseer of RCCG and a renowned scholar with a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, founded it. Adeboye is the university’s visitor as well. Before relocating to its permanent campus in 2014, RUN started operations in 2005 in a temporary location in Mowe. The university places a strong focus on academic achievement, spiritual discipline, and a drug- and cult-free atmosphere. Law, the natural sciences, the humanities, and basic medical sciences are among the faculties that provide undergraduate and graduate studies.
Students in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences pay between ₦846,500 and ₦1.63 million per session, while law students pay between ₦1.14 million and ₦2.09 million.
Covenant University
The National Universities Commission (NUC) granted Covenant University (CU), a private Christian university in Ota, Ogun State, an official license in 2002. As the chancellor and chairman of the board of regents, Bishop David Oyedepo, the ruling bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel), founded it. With programs spread across four colleges, CU is renowned for its dedication to academic rigor, spiritual discipline, and leadership development. Depending on the course of study, undergraduate tuition might range from ₦1,507,650 to ₦1,704,300 per session. The institution has relations with international organizations, including the Association of African Universities and the Association of Commonwealth Universities, and it is out on a single campus in Canaanland, Ota.
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