Top 10 Most Expensive Private Universities in Nigeria

Nigeria has several private universities known for their high tuition fees and top-quality education. These institutions, owned by influential individuals and organisations, offer modern facilities and unique academic programs that attract students from across the country.

Whether founded by business leaders, religious groups, or education pioneers, these universities play a key role in shaping the future of higher learning in Nigeria.

In this article, we’ll look at the Top 10 most expensive private universities in Nigeria, their standout features, and the people behind them.

Wigwe University (Isiokpo, Rivers State)

Founded by the late Dr. Herbert Wigwe, former CEO of Access Bank, Wigwe University received its NUC licence in June 2023. It opened to its first cohort of over 200 students in October 2024. The campus spans six colleges, including Engineering, Allied Health, and Arts, and charges between ₦9.6 million and ₦12 million in tuition, with on-campus housing fees topping ₦3.8 million per year.

Babcock University (Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State)

Established in 1959 as the Adventist College of West Africa and elevated to university status in 1999, Babcock is run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria. Under Chairperson Bassey Effiong Okon Udoh and President Professor Ademola S. Tayo, programme fees range from ₦800,000 for humanities courses up to ₦7 million for Medicine & Surgery, with accommodation between ₦300,000 and ₦600,000 per session.

Nile University of Nigeria (Abuja)

Acquired in July 2020 by Honoris United Universities, a pan-African network backed by Actis Capital, Nile University opened in 2009 on a 113-hectare campus. Led by CEO Dr. Jonathan Louw, it charges ₦6.5 million for Medicine & Surgery, ₦4.25 million for Law, and ₦2.8–3.5 million for other degree programmes annually.

Pan-Atlantic University (Lagos State)

Born from the Lagos Business School’s executive programmes (1991) and formally licensed in 2002, PAU was inspired by Opus Dei founder St. Josemaría Escrivá’s vision of work as service. Governed by council chair Henry Odein Ajumogobia, SAN, OFR, undergraduate tuition for 2024/25 runs from ₦4.1 million to ₦6.3 million depending on the faculty.

Afe Babalola University (Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State)

Launched in 2009 by education reform advocate Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, ABUAD famously built its permanent campus in under eight months. With more than 8,000 students today, its fees start at ₦4.67 million for Medicine & Surgery, rising to ₦5.55 million in later years; other programmes range from ₦1.1 million to ₦3.7 million per session.

Lead City University (Ibadan, Oyo State)

Licensed in 2005 and founded by Professor Jide Owoeye of Eduserve Consult, LCU emphasises entrepreneurship alongside academia. Health science programmes command the highest fees,Medicine at ₦5.525 million, Pharmacy and Nursing at ₦3.025 million, and Dentistry at ₦2.525 million annually.

Bowen University (Iwo, Osun State)

Established by the Nigerian Baptist Convention in 2001 and named for missionary Rev. Thomas Jefferson Bowen, this Christian institution blends scholarship with faith. Under Rev. Dr. Israel A. Akanji’s oversight, Medicine costs ₦4.6 million, Law ₦2.2 million, and other courses range from ₦880,900 to ₦1.3 million per year.

American University of Nigeria (Yola, Adamawa State)

Founded in 2003 by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as Africa’s first “Development University,” AUN offers a U.S.-style liberal arts curriculum on a 2,500-acre campus. Standard tuition is ₦1.221 million per semester, while specialised programmes (Law, Engineering, Nursing, Public Health) rise to ₦1.755 million each.

Redeemer’s University (Ede, Osun State)

Owned by the Redeemed Christian Church of God and established in 2005 by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, RUN relocated to its permanent site in 2014. Emphasising a drug- and cult-free environment, it charges ₦1.14–2.09 million for Law and ₦846,500–1.63 million for Basic Medical Sciences courses per session.

Covenant University (Ota, Ogun State)

Licensed in 2002 and founded by Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Covenant is known for academic rigour and spiritual discipline. Its four colleges set undergraduate fees between ₦1,507,650 and ₦1,704,300 per session, with a single campus nestled in Canaanland, Ota.