Are you looking for the cheapest universities in Nigeria for the 2026/2027 academic session? Whether you’re a student planning for admission, a parent seeking affordable options, or a counselor guiding others, this article highlights 20 low-cost Nigerian universities with details on school fees, available courses, JAMB cut-off marks, and contact information.
We’ve done the research for you. These universities offer quality education at a fraction of the cost. Let’s dive in!
Why Choose a Cheap University in Nigeria?
Studying in Nigeria doesn’t have to break the bank. With rising tuition costs across private and international schools, many students are turning to affordable federal and state universities. Cheap doesn’t mean low quality — some of these universities are among the best in Africa.
Benefits of Low-Cost Universities:
- Affordable tuition fees
- Accredited courses
- Experienced lecturers
- Access to federal/state facilities and scholarships
1. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria
- Type: Federal
- Location: Zaria, Kaduna State
- School Fees: ₦27,000 – ₦45,000
- Popular Courses: Law, Engineering, Medicine, Education
- Cut-Off Mark: 180 – 200
- Contact: info@abu.edu.ng | abu.edu.ng
2. University of Ibadan (UI)
- Type: Federal
- Location: Ibadan, Oyo State
- School Fees: ₦30,000 – ₦50,000
- Popular Courses: Medicine, Pharmacy, Law, Sciences
- Cut-Off Mark: 200+
- Contact: admissions@ui.edu.ng | ui.edu.ng
3. University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- Type: Federal
- Location: Lagos State
- School Fees: ₦20,000 – ₦60,000
- Popular Courses: Mass Comm, Law, Engineering, Business Admin
- Cut-Off Mark: 200 – 250
- Contact: info@unilag.edu.ng | unilag.edu.ng
4. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
- Type: Federal
- Location: Ogun State
- School Fees: ₦18,000 – ₦42,000
- Popular Courses: Agriculture, Engineering, Veterinary Medicine
- Cut-Off Mark: 180 – 200
- Contact: registrar@funaab.edu.ng | funaab.edu.ng
5. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- Type: Federal
- Location: Ile-Ife, Osun State
- School Fees: ₦20,000 – ₦60,000
- Popular Courses: Law, Architecture, Medicine
- Cut-Off Mark: 200 – 250
- Contact: info@oauife.edu.ng | oauife.edu.ng
6. University of Benin (UNIBEN)
- Type: Federal
- Location: Edo State
- School Fees: ₦30,000 – ₦45,000
- Popular Courses: Engineering, Medicine, Law
- Cut-Off Mark: 200+
- Contact: registrar@uniben.edu | uniben.edu
7. Federal University, Dutsin-Ma
- Type: Federal
- Location: Katsina State
- School Fees: ₦27,000 – ₦40,000
- Popular Courses: Education, Agriculture, Political Science
- Cut-Off Mark: 160 – 180
- Contact: info@fudutsinma.edu.ng | fudutsinma.edu.ng
8. University of Calabar (UNICAL)
- Type: Federal
- Location: Cross River State
- School Fees: ₦30,000 – ₦40,000
- Popular Courses: Education, Law, Medicine
- Cut-Off Mark: 180 – 200
- Contact: info@unical.edu.ng | unical.edu.ng
9. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
- Type: Federal
- Location: Kwara State
- School Fees: ₦25,000 – ₦50,000
- Popular Courses: Law, Medicine, Business Admin
- Cut-Off Mark: 180 – 230
- Contact: registrar@unilorin.edu.ng | unilorin.edu.ng
10. Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUSOK)
- Type: Federal
- Location: Sokoto
- School Fees: ₦23,000 – ₦40,000
- Popular Courses: Law, Education, Nursing
- Cut-Off Mark: 160 – 180
- Contact: info@udusok.edu.ng | udusok.edu.ng
11. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE)
- Type: Federal
- Location: Ekiti State
- School Fees: ₦35,000 – ₦50,000
- Popular Courses: Engineering, Education, Sciences
- Cut-Off Mark: 160 – 200
- Contact: info@fuoye.edu.ng | fuoye.edu.ng
12. Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)
- Type: Federal
- Location: Awka, Anambra State
- School Fees: ₦25,000 – ₦50,000
- Popular Courses: Law, Pharmacy, Engineering, Education
- Cut-Off Mark: 180 – 200+
- Contact: info@unizik.edu.ng | unizik.edu.ng
13. Bayero University Kano (BUK)
- Type: Federal
- Location: Kano State
- School Fees: ₦24,000 – ₦35,000
- Popular Courses: Computer Science, Medicine, Arts
- Cut-Off Mark: 180 – 210
- Contact: inquiry@buk.edu.ng | buk.edu.ng
14. Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)
- Type: Federal
- Location: Ondo State
- School Fees: ₦30,000 – ₦52,000
- Popular Courses: Engineering, Technology, Sciences
- Cut-Off Mark: 180 – 200
- Contact: info@futa.edu.ng | futa.edu.ng
15. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU)
- Type: Federal
- Location: Abia State
- School Fees: ₦35,000 – ₦50,000
- Popular Courses: Agriculture, Biosciences, Management
- Cut-Off Mark: 160 – 180
- Contact: info@mouau.edu.ng | mouau.edu.ng
16. Federal University, Lafia (FULAFIA)
- Type: Federal
- Location: Nasarawa State
- School Fees: ₦25,000 – ₦45,000
- Popular Courses: Social Science, Education, Sciences
- Cut-Off Mark: 160 – 180
- Contact: info@fulafia.edu.ng | fulafia.edu.ng
17. Federal University, Lokoja (FULOKOJA)
- Type: Federal
- Location: Kogi State
- School Fees: ₦30,000 – ₦40,000
- Popular Courses: History, Political Science, Computer Science
- Cut-Off Mark: 170 – 200
- Contact: info@fulokoja.edu.ng | fulokoja.edu.ng
18. National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)
- Type: Federal (Distance Learning)
- Location: Nationwide
- School Fees: ₦18,000 – ₦36,000
- Popular Courses: Law, Business, Management, Education
- Cut-Off Mark: No JAMB Required
- Contact: centralinfo@nou.edu.ng | nou.edu.ng
19. Delta State University (DELSU)
- Type: State
- Location: Delta State
- School Fees: ₦35,000 – ₦55,000
- Popular Courses: Law, Business, Medicine
- Cut-Off Mark: 170 – 200
- Contact: info@delsu.edu.ng | delsu.edu.ng
20. Kwara State University (KWASU)
- Type: State
- Location: Kwara State
- School Fees: ₦45,000 – ₦65,000
- Popular Courses: Engineering, Management, Sciences
- Cut-Off Mark: 160 – 180
- Contact: info@kwasu.edu.ng | kwasu.edu.ng
Final Thoughts
Choosing an affordable university doesn’t mean compromising on quality. The 20 cheapest universities in Nigeria listed above offer world-class education, certified courses, and recognized degrees — all at pocket-friendly tuition.
These options are excellent for students who want to graduate debt-free while gaining the skills and knowledge needed in today’s job market.
Tips Before Applying:
- Always check the university’s official website for updates.
- Confirm admission requirements and deadlines.
- Prepare well for JAMB/UTME/Post-UTME.
- Consider your preferred course and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Which is the cheapest university in Nigeria?
Answer: The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and FUNAAB are among the cheapest, with fees as low as ₦18,000.
Q2. Do cheap universities offer scholarships?
Answer: Yes, many federal and state universities offer scholarships, bursaries, and grants.
Q3. Can I study Medicine in a cheap university?
Answer: Absolutely. Schools like UNILAG, ABU, UNIBEN, and OAU offer Medicine with relatively low fees.
Ready to Apply?
Explore your options, and take the next step toward your future. Stay informed, stay prepared, and choose wisely. For more updates on university admissions, school fees, scholarships, and cut-off marks, bookmark our blog and subscribe to our newsletter.