Nicknamed the “Giant of Africa,” Nigeria is a large and culturally diverse country in West Africa. It is Africa’s most populous country and is known for its many ethnic groups, its oil industry, and its active film industry, popularly called Nollywood. Let’s take a look at these cheapest universities in Nigeria for international students.
Affordable Schools in Nigeria for International Students
1. University of Ibadan (UI)
Established in 1948, the University of Ibadan is Nigeria’s first university. It began as a college of the University of London and became an independent university in 1962. UI now offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs across many faculties and academic units, and the university describes its postgraduate school as one of the largest in Africa and the flagship of postgraduate education in Nigeria.
UI’s stated vision is to be a world-class institution for academic excellence geared toward meeting societal needs. Its graduates have contributed to Nigeria and the wider world through fields such as academia, public service, business, research, and professional practice.
2. Babcock University
Babcock University is a private, faith-based institution operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria. Its history goes back to the Adventist College of West Africa, which awarded its first Bachelor of Arts degrees in Theology in 1966. In 1975, the college signed an affiliation agreement with Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, which allowed it to train students and award bachelor’s degrees from Andrews University in fields such as Biology, Business Administration, Theology, and Religion.
Babcock later sought a local affiliation with the University of Ibadan under the name “Babcock College,” but that process was still ongoing when Babcock received its own accreditation in 1999. Today, Babcock offers several study routes, including undergraduate, postgraduate, part-time, JUPEB, and distance e-learning options, so applicants should use the official admissions and finance pages for current requirements and fees.
3. Kwara State University
Kwara State University (KWASU) is a state-owned university in Malete, Kwara State. It was licensed by the National Universities Commission in 2009 and began academic operations the same year. KWASU started with five pioneer colleges, but it later transitioned from a collegiate system to faculties. Its official history now lists one College of Health Sciences, one School of Postgraduate Studies, and 13 faculties.
KWASU has also developed academic centers and institutional partnerships. The university lists partnerships with Thammasat University, KAIST in South Korea, Columbia University, the University of the State of Bahia, and Texas Southern University. Its academic structure has expanded over time with faculties and programs in areas such as agriculture, education, engineering and technology, environmental sciences, health sciences, information and communication technology, law, management and social sciences, and pure and applied sciences.
4. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)
LAUTECH is an autonomous public institution in Ogbomoso with a general function of providing liberal higher education and research in Nigeria. Instead of only three programs, the university now lists multiple study routes, including undergraduate programs, postgraduate programs, JUPEB, Pre-Degree Science, Open Distance Learning, and part-time study. Its official information says it offers degree programs in 12 faculties.
The university was established on April 23, 1990, under the old Oyo State as Oyo State University of Technology, Ogbomoso. After Osun State was created out of the old Oyo State in 1991, the university’s name was changed to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso. LAUTECH was jointly owned by Oyo and Osun states until November 20, 2020, when it became solely owned by Oyo State.
5. University of Jos
The University of Jos began as a campus of the University of Ibadan in November 1971. It admitted its first pre-degree students in January 1972, introduced degree courses in Arts in October 1973, and was named among the new universities established by the federal military government in October 1975.
The university’s current mission is to serve Nigeria and humanity by encouraging excellence, building an innovative university, delivering an inclusive academic experience, and promoting good character. For international applicants, the official admissions page is the best starting point for current program and application information.
Tuition and fees can change from one academic session to another and may differ by program, level of study, and student status. Because not every Nigerian university publishes complete international-student fee schedules on its homepage, prospective students should confirm current tuition, application fees, accommodation costs, and payment deadlines directly with the university before applying.
We hope this post on affordable universities in Nigeria was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.
