Top 10 cheapest universities to study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria
The cheapest universities to study medicine and surgery in Nigeria include University of Calabar (₦39,000–₦42,750), Ahmadu Bello University (₦70,250 – ₦78,875) and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (₦145,200 – ₦189,000). Government subsidies help these federal schools keep tuition low, making medical education more accessible.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Cheapest universities to study medicine and surgery in Nigeria
- 10. Bingham University, Karu
- 9. Madonna University, Rivers State
- 8. Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Osogbo
- 7. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Ilorin
- 6. Bowen University, Iwo
- 5. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife
- 4. Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma
- 3. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi
- 2. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria
- 1. University of Calabar (UNICAL), Calabar
- What is the cheapest university to study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria?
- How much is the cheapest medical school in Nigeria?
Key takeaways
- University of Calabar is the cheapest medical school, charging ₦39,000 to ₦42,750 per session.
- Ahmadu Bello University offers MBBS at ₦70,250 to ₦78,875 for Nigerian students.
- ATBU Bauchi charges ₦189,000 for freshers and ₦145,200 for returning students.
- Private universities, such as Madonna and Bingham, charge ₦825,000–₦3,380,000 per session.
Cheapest universities to study medicine and surgery in Nigeria
In compiling the list of the cheapest universities to study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria, we ranked institutions based on published tuition fees for MBBS students as of 2024/2025. The data was sourced from official university portals to ensure accuracy, though fees may change with new academic sessions.
| Rank | University | Fees (₦) |
| 1 | University of Calabar (UNICAL) | ₦42,750 (freshers); ₦39,000 (returning) |
| 2 | Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria | ₦70,250 – ₦78,875 (Nigerians); ₦225,000 (non-Nigerians resident); ₦3,075,000 (non-Nigerians non-resident) |
| 3 | Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi | ₦189,000 (freshers); ₦145,200 (returning) |
| 4 | Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma | ₦162,200 (100–300L per semester ≈ ₦324,400/year); ₦166,200 (400L per semester ≈ ₦332,400/year) |
| 5 | Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife | ₦190,200 (freshers); ₦128,200 (returning) |
| 6 | Bowen University, Iwo | ₦220,000 (UTME freshers); ₦480,000 (Direct entry) |
| 7 | University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) | ₦254,640 (freshers); ₦103,560 (returning) |
| 8 | Osun State University (UniOSUN), Osogbo | ₦550,000 (per session) |
| 9 | Madonna University, Rivers State | ₦1,175,000 (first semester); ₦825,000 (second semester) |
| 10 | Bingham University, Karu | ₦2,980,000 (100–300L per session); ₦3,380,000 (400–600L per session) |
10. Bingham University, Karu
Source: UGC
- Location: Karu (Abuja-Keffi Expressway), Nasarawa State
- Institution type: Private (Baptist)
- Tuition: ₦2,980,000 (100–300L); ₦3,380,000 (400–600L) per session
Bingham University is one of the cheapest learning institutions to study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria. The private Baptist university is based in Karu (Nasarawa State). Bingham’s MBBS program, launched in 2018, provides clinical training through partnerships with hospitals in the region.
Its College of Medical Sciences charges ₦2,980,000 per session for early clinical years (200–300L) and ₦3,380,000 per session for senior clinical years (400–600L). In addition to tuition, students pay standard fees (e.g. a ₦50,000 laboratory bench fee in clinical years) and the acceptance fee.
9. Madonna University, Rivers State
Source: UGC
- Location: Elele Campus, Elele, Rivers State
- Institution type: Private (Catholic)
- Tuition: ₦1,175,000 (freshers); ₦825,000 (returning) per session
Madonna's MBBS program is accredited, and its medical students train at the university's Rivers State teaching hospital. The learning institution’s campus in Rivers State is a private Catholic university.
Madonna University's MBBS fees are ₦1,175,000 per session for the first semester and ₦825,000 for the second semester. Madonna University school fees also include a ₦40,000 acceptance fee and additional levies (e.g. departmental and hostel fees).
8. Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Osogbo
Source: UGC
- Location: Ipetu Ijesha Campus (Health Sciences), Osogbo, Osun State
- Institution type: State (Osun State)
- Tuition: ₦550,000 per session (same for freshers and returning)
Founded in 2006, UNIOSUN offers a modern MBBS curriculum with clinical rotations at its campus hospitals. UNIOSUN is a multi-campus state university established by Osun State, with six campuses across the state.
The College of Health Sciences (medicine) is based at the Ipetu Ijesha campus. UNIOSUN charges ₦550,000 per session for all medical students. Incoming students also pay a ₦40,000 acceptance fee, plus mandatory medical screening, laboratory, and housing fees.
7. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Ilorin
Source: UGC
- Location: Ilorin, Kwara State
- Institution type: Federal
- Tuition: ₦254,640 (freshers); ₦103,560 (returning) per session
The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) is a federal university in Ilorin (Kwara State). Its College of Health Sciences fees are ₦254,640 per session for new MBBS students and ₦103,560 for returning students.
UNILORIN is renowned for its large, modern campus and strong emphasis on research. Its MBBS program is fully accredited with clinical training at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.
6. Bowen University, Iwo
Source: UGC
- Location: Iwo, Osun State
- Institution type: Private (Baptist)
- Tuition: ₦220,000 (UTME freshers); ₦480,000 (Direct-entry) per session (as per official fees)
Bowen University is a private Baptist university in Iwo (Osun State). The learning institution is affiliated with the Nigerian Baptist Convention and provides clinical training at Bowen University Teaching Hospital. First-year medical students pay about ₦220,000 per session (₦480,000 for direct-entry students).
5. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife
Source: UGC
- Location: Ife Campus, Ile-Ife, Osun State
- Institution type: Federal
- Tuition: ₦190,000 (freshers); ₦128,200 (returning) per session
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is a federal university in Ile-Ife, Osun State. The College of Health Sciences fees are ₦190,000 per session for incoming MBBS students (₦128,200 for returning students).
In addition, the Obafemi Awolowo fees include a ₦35,000 acceptance fee and general service fees (e.g. hall maintenance ₦5,000, utility ₦3,000, ICT ₦3,000). OAU’s MBBS curriculum is rigorous and accredited, with extensive clinical rotations at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex.
4. Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma
Source: UGC
- Location: Ekpoma, Edo State
- Institution type: State (Edo State)
- Tuition: ₦162,200 per semester (100–300L; ~₦324,400/year); ₦166,200 per semester (400L)
Ambrose Alli University (AAU) is a state-owned university in Ekpoma (Edo State). AAU’s College of Medicine offers a standard MBBS program with both pre-clinical and clinical phases, including early patient exposure in affiliated hospitals.
Ambrose Alli University MBBS fees are ₦162,200 per semester for the first three years (totalling about ₦324,400 per year) and ₦166,200 per semester in the final year. Fresh entrants also pay an ₦80,000 acceptance fee (and ₦65,000 for others), plus fees for hostel lodging, laboratory bench use, examinations, and other services.
3. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi
Source: UGC
- Location: Gubi Campus, Bauchi, Bauchi State
- Institution type: Federal
- Tuition: ₦171,000 (freshers); ₦145,200 (returning) per session
ATBU is one of the cheapest universities to study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria. Established in 1980, ATBU offers accredited medical degrees, and students receive hands-on clinical training through the Bauchi State University Teaching Hospital. Its College of Medical Sciences is based at the Gubi campus with a second campus at Yelwa.
Fresh MBBS fees are ₦189,000 for fresh students and ₦145,200 for returning students. An additional ₦18,000 acceptance fee is required for new students, along with routine charges (library, departmental, ICT, etc.).
2. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria
Source: UGC
- Location: Samaru Main Campus, Zaria, Kaduna State
- Institution type: Federal
- Tuition: ₦70,250–₦78,875 per session (Nigerian students); ₦225,000 (non-Nigerian, resident); ₦3,075,000 (non-resident)
ABU is among the best federal universities in Zaria (Kaduna State), with its College of Medical Sciences located on the Samaru (main) campus. Nigerian MBBS students' fees range from ₦70,250 to ₦78,875 per session (international students pay higher fees). Other costs include hostel accommodation, laboratory, and examination fees, plus mandatory acceptance and registration charges.
ABU has three main campuses – Samaru and Kongo (Zaria) and a Basic Studies campus in Funtua– and offers a fully accredited MBBS curriculum with extensive clinical training at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital.
1. University of Calabar (UNICAL), Calabar
Source: UGC
- Location: Calabar Main Campus, Calabar, Cross River State
- Institution type: Federal
- Tuition: ₦42,750 (freshers); ₦39,000 (returning) per session
Established in 1975, UNICAL offers a standard MBBS program with structured pre-clinical and clinical training at its affiliated University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. The learning institution houses its College of Medical Sciences at the main campus. Fresh basic medical sciences students' fees are ₦42,750 per session and ₦39,000 for returning students.
In addition to tuition, students must cover mandatory charges: a ₦15,000 acceptance fee, ₦2,500 portal fee, and ₦3,000 late-registration fee, plus fees for laboratory use, examinations, hostel accommodation, and textbooks.
What is the cheapest university to study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria?
Several universities in Nigeria offer Medicine and Surgery at affordable rates. These include the University of Calabar (₦42,750–₦39,000 per session), Ahmadu Bello University (₦70,250–₦78,875 per session), and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (₦171,000–₦145,200 per session).
How much is the cheapest medical school in Nigeria?
The cheapest medical school in Nigeria costs around ₦39,000 and ₦42,750 per session at the University of Calabar, Cross River State. Other learning institutions offering medicine and surgery at an affordable fee include Ahmadu Bello University, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, and Ambrose Alli University.
The cheapest universities to study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria include federal institutions like UNICAL, ABU Zaria, and ATBU Bauchi. Their low tuition is possible through government subsidies, making them significantly more affordable than most state and private universities.
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