Study in Nigeria

Nigeria has Africa's largest university system, and it welcomes international students as well as Nigerians. The National Universities Commission (NUC), which approves and monitors universities, lists 328 of them: 77 federal, 69 state and 182 private. Teaching is in English, and a degree from an approved university has the same legal standing whether the owner is the federal government, a state or a private body.

Types of institutions

• Federal universities are funded by the Federal Government and tend to be the cheapest and most competitive.
• State universities belong to state governments, which set their own fees.
• Private universities are run by churches, mosques, companies and foundations. Fees are much higher, but classes are often smaller and calendars steadier.
• Polytechnics offer the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND). They are regulated by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE); its register lists more than 200.
• Colleges of education prepare teachers for the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and are regulated by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).

Before applying, check the university is on NUC's lists. New universities also need an NUC check before admitting students to a programme, so confirm your course is approved too.

Degrees and how long they take

• Bachelor's degree: usually 4 years, or 5 for engineering and some other courses.
• Medicine and law take longer, and law graduates must attend the Nigerian Law School before practising.
• Direct Entry students with A-levels, JUPEB, an ND or NCE usually start in the second year, at 200 level.

Nigerian graduates under 30 then complete a year of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC); those 30 or older get an exemption certificate instead.

How much it costs

Fees vary widely and change every session. If you are coming from abroad, ask for the rate that applies to you; Covenant University's approved 2026/2027 schedule, for instance, sets separate US dollar rates for foreign students. Federal universities generally charge Nigerian students no tuition, though other charges apply. Federal University Otuoke's approved 2026/2027 schedule lists student charges of ₦98,500 to ₦127,500 for new students, plus an ₦80,000 clearance fee and optional accommodation. Private universities cost far more: Covenant's fees for Nigerians, including accommodation, run from ₦1.71 million to ₦4.64 million a year.

Applying: JAMB, post-UTME and CAPS

Every route in runs through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB):

1. Get at least five credit passes in WAEC, NECO or an equivalent, including English Language and Mathematics, in no more than two sittings. Other subjects must suit your course.
2. Register with JAMB and sit the UTME, scored out of 400. Direct Entry candidates register with JAMB but don't sit the UTME.
3. Meet the minimum score. For 2026/2027 admissions, JAMB set 150 for universities and colleges of nursing, and 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education. Most universities, especially for popular courses, set higher cut-offs. The minimum admission age is 16.
4. Take the university's post-UTME screening, either a test or a review of your results.
5. Accept your offer on JAMB's Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). JAMB says any admission made outside CAPS is not valid.

Applicants from abroad follow the same steps, and JAMB runs the UTME at centres abroad, including Accra, Banjul, Abidjan and Cotonou; your nearest Nigerian embassy has details.

Visas and residence

Unless you are an ECOWAS citizen, you need a Student Visa (R7A) from a Nigerian embassy, which needs a passport valid for at least six months and an admission letter from an accredited institution. The visa lasts 90 days, and once you arrive you apply for a residence permit, the e-CERPAC, which gives a two-year renewable stay. The online e-Visa is only for short visits and cannot be converted into a student permit.

ECOWAS citizens can enter Nigeria without a visa under the free movement protocol and stay for up to 90 days. For a longer stay, ask the Nigeria Immigration Service and your university which residence document applies. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger left ECOWAS in January 2025, but ECOWAS says their citizens keep visa-free movement and residence rights until further notice.

Student loans for Nigerian applicants (NELFUND)

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) offers interest-free loans to Nigerian students at public universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and vocational schools, but not private institutions. It pays institutional charges straight to your school, and you can request an upkeep allowance, currently ₦20,000 a month during the session. You'll need your NIN, BVN and a JAMB number (Direct Entry included). Repayment starts two years after NYSC at 10% of income. The 2026/2027 window runs from 23 September to 31 December 2026.

Recent changes

• From 2026/2027, NCE candidates with at least four credits no longer sit the UTME, but must still register with JAMB.
• Since May 2025, the e-Visa has replaced visa on arrival for short visits.