Private Universities In Ekiti State And Their Fees
Ekiti State, popularly known as the “Fountain of Knowledge” and the “Land of Honour and Integrity,” is one of Nigeria’s most education-focused states in the southwest. While the state is home to federal and state-owned universities such as Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Federal University of Technology and Environmental Studies Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State University, and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, it also hosts a growing number of private universities that have carved out strong reputations for academic quality, modern infrastructure, and specialized programmes. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the private universities in Ekiti State and their school fees, to help prospective students and parents plan effectively.
Overview of Private Universities in Ekiti State
Ekiti State currently hosts three notable private universities approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC): Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), located in Ado-Ekiti; Hillside University of Science and Technology (HUST), located in Okemesi-Ekiti; and Venite University, located in Iloro-Ekiti. Each of these institutions offers a distinct academic focus, fee structure, and campus experience, giving prospective students a range of options depending on their budget and course of interest.
Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado-Ekiti
Afe Babalola University is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious private university in Ekiti State. Founded in 2009 by legal icon Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), ABUAD is a non-profit private research university situated on 130 hectares of land in the hilly part of Ado-Ekiti, directly opposite the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti. The university has been ranked 1st in Nigeria and 3rd in Africa by Times Higher Education, and operates a collegiate system spanning Law, Engineering, Medicine and Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Sciences, and Social and Management Sciences, alongside Agriculture and Arts and Humanities in some structures.
Fee structure. ABUAD’s fees vary significantly by programme, level of study, and accommodation type, reflecting its premium facilities and reputation as one of the most expensive private universities in Nigeria. For the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 sessions, tuition sub-totals across the university’s colleges range broadly from around ₦1,114,500 for some Arts and Social and Management Sciences programmes to over ₦6,000,000 for Medicine and Surgery, which remains the most expensive programme at the university. Some broader estimates place overall fees, inclusive of accommodation and other charges, between approximately ₦536,000 and ₦2,500,000 depending on the exact programme and session referenced, while other reports covering the full range including Medicine put total first-year payments as high as ₦1,600,000 to ₦4,000,000.
Accommodation. ABUAD operates a fully residential system, meaning all students are required to live on campus, with no allowance for day students or off-campus living. Accommodation fees range from approximately ₦310,000 for a 4-person room up to ₦1,010,000 for a Super Deluxe 1-Person Room, or in some newer breakdowns, ₦600,000 for standard 4- or 6-person rooms and ₦1,200,000 for a 2-person room.
Other compulsory charges. Beyond tuition and accommodation, ABUAD students are required to pay a mandatory non-refundable acceptance fee, typically ₦100,000 to ₦200,000 depending on the reporting period, a PTCF Levy of ₦30,000, a Medical Screening fee of ₦10,000, an ABUAD Souvenir fee of ₦75,000 to ₦100,000 for fresh students only, and Students’ Association dues as applicable.
Admission requirements. Candidates need a minimum of five O’Level credits, including Mathematics and English Language, in WAEC, NECO, or GCE, obtained in not more than two sittings, though Law and Medicine require all five credits in a single sitting. The general JAMB UTME cut-off mark for ABUAD is 180, though this varies by department, with some sources citing cut-offs as high as 189 depending on the programme, and candidates must select ABUAD as their first choice and participate in the university’s Post-UTME screening exercise.
Hillside University of Science and Technology (HUST), Okemesi-Ekiti
Hillside University of Science and Technology is a newer, Federal Government-approved private university located along Ijero Road in Okemesi-Ekiti. HUST positions itself as an affordable alternative among Nigeria’s private universities, with a stated mission to make quality tertiary education accessible regardless of economic status. The university runs colleges including Business, Law and Educational Sciences; Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences; Engineering Sciences and Technology; and Health and Applied Medical Sciences.
Fee structure. HUST’s tuition fees vary considerably by programme and student category. Medicine and Surgery carries the highest tuition at approximately ₦3,568,750 per session for new students, making it by far the most expensive programme at the university. Business, Law, and Education programmes carry a fixed fee of approximately ₦940,000 per session for new students. Engineering and Computer Science tuition ranges from approximately ₦1,073,750 to ₦1,323,750 for new students, placing these programmes between the Business and Law bracket and the Medicine bracket.
Acceptance fees. Acceptance fees at HUST vary significantly by programme, ranging from approximately ₦50,000 for Agriculture up to ₦250,000 for Medicine, reflecting the differing resource intensity of each programme.
Payment flexibility. HUST offers multiple tuition payment options, including full payment, a two-installment plan, and a four-installment plan, giving students and families more flexibility than some other private universities. The university has also previously announced scholarship initiatives, including a minimum 40 percent scholarship applied across student fees in collaboration with corporate and private sector partners, though the exact scholarship terms vary by programme and should be confirmed on the university’s official website.
Admission process. Prospective students apply through the university’s admission portal, create a profile, verify their email, complete the application form, make payment, and then visit the nearest JAMB CBT centre to change their institution of choice to Hillside University of Science and Technology as their first choice.
Venite University, Iloro-Ekiti
Venite University is among the newest private universities in Ekiti State, located along Ayetoro Road, Km 2, Iloro-Ekiti. The university positions itself around academic excellence, innovation, and a supportive learning environment, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across three faculties, including Science and Information Technology, Social and Management Sciences, and Allied Health Science.
Fee structure. According to the university’s officially published fee schedule, total fees for the Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc.) programme, one of Venite’s flagship courses, come to approximately ₦1,385,000 per session, comprising a tuition component of ₦750,000 combined with sundry fees and accommodation. Fees for other programmes outside Nursing Science are generally lower, in line with the university’s broader positioning as one of the more accessible private institutions in the state.
Fee breakdown. Venite University’s published schedule itemizes charges into distinct categories. The acceptance fee is ₦50,000. Sundry fees total approximately ₦335,000 and include a Bench Work fee of ₦75,000, Portable Management fee of ₦25,000, Entrepreneurship Levy of ₦20,000, Healthcare fee of ₦75,000, Faculty Levy of ₦10,000, Departmental Levy of ₦10,000, Library Levy of ₦20,000, Matriculation Levy of ₦10,000, Student ID Card Levy of ₦5,000, Caution and Maintenance fee of ₦20,000, Verification fee of ₦10,000, GNS fee of ₦5,000, E-Book fee of ₦20,000, Developmental fee of ₦20,000, and Sports fee of ₦10,000. Accommodation fee is a further ₦250,000.
Admission requirements. Venite University’s cut-off mark for admission has been set at 140 and above for most programmes, though Nursing Science (B.NSc.) requires a higher minimum admissible score, making it one of the more accessible private universities in the state in terms of entry requirements.
Comparing Fees Across the Three Private Universities
When placed side by side, the three private universities in Ekiti State span a wide range of affordability:
Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) sits at the premium end, with fees for most programmes starting above ₦1,000,000 per session and reaching multiple millions of naira for Medicine and Surgery, reflecting its extensive facilities, teaching hospital, and reputation as one of Nigeria’s top-ranked private universities.
Hillside University of Science and Technology (HUST) occupies a middle ground, with non-clinical programmes such as Business, Law, and Education priced under ₦1,000,000 per session, while Medicine and Surgery remains significantly higher at over ₦3,500,000, and flexible installment plans help ease the burden for families.
Venite University is generally the most accessible of the three in terms of total cost, with its flagship Nursing Science programme priced at approximately ₦1,385,000 inclusive of all charges, and other programmes typically priced lower, alongside one of the more accessible JAMB cut-off marks among Ekiti’s private universities.
Factors That Influence Fees at These Institutions
Several factors consistently drive fee differences both within and across these three universities:
Programme type. Clinical and laboratory-intensive programmes such as Medicine and Surgery, Nursing, and Pharmacy consistently attract the highest fees across all three institutions, due to the cost of specialized equipment, clinical training, and hospital affiliations.
Accommodation requirements. Both ABUAD and HUST require or strongly encourage residential living, meaning accommodation costs are either bundled into or added onto the base tuition figure, significantly affecting the total amount payable per session.
Level of study and student category. Fresh students typically pay more than returning students due to one-time charges such as acceptance fees, orientation costs, and matriculation levies, a pattern consistent across all three universities.
Institutional maturity and reputation. As the oldest and most established of the three, with a stronger reputation and more developed infrastructure, ABUAD commands significantly higher fees than the newer HUST and Venite University, both of which are still building out their facilities and programme offerings.
Final Notes on Verifying Current Fees
Because private university fees in Nigeria are reviewed periodically and can change from one academic session to another, prospective students and parents should always confirm the exact, current fee schedule directly through each university’s official website or admissions portal before making any payment. ABUAD publishes its schedule through its official school fees portal, HUST through its website’s dedicated fees page, and Venite University through officially published fee schedule documents on its site, all of which should be treated as the most reliable sources ahead of any third-party publication.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which private university in Ekiti State has the highest school fees?
Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) has the highest overall fees among the three private universities in Ekiti State, with Medicine and Surgery costing over ₦6,000,000 per session in some fee breakdowns, and most other programmes starting above ₦1,000,000 per session, reflecting its premium facilities and reputation.
2. Which private university in Ekiti State is the most affordable?
Venite University is generally the most affordable of the three, with its flagship Nursing Science programme totaling approximately ₦1,385,000 inclusive of tuition, sundry fees, and accommodation, and other programmes typically priced lower. Hillside University of Science and Technology also offers relatively affordable options for non-clinical programmes like Business, Law, and Education, priced under ₦1,000,000 per session.
3. Do all three private universities in Ekiti State require students to live on campus?
Afe Babalola University operates a fully residential system with no day-student or off-campus option, so accommodation is compulsory. Hillside University and Venite University also incorporate accommodation into their fee structures, though prospective students should confirm each university’s specific residency policy directly through the official portal.
4. What is the general JAMB cut-off mark for admission into these private universities?
Cut-off marks vary by institution and programme. Afe Babalola University’s general cut-off mark is around 180, though it can go higher depending on the department. Venite University’s cut-off mark is generally 140 and above for most programmes, with a higher threshold for Nursing Science. Cut-off marks for Hillside University vary by programme and should be confirmed on the university’s official admission portal.
5. Can students pay school fees in installments at these universities?
Yes, at least at Hillside University of Science and Technology, which offers full payment, two-installment, and four-installment plans to support affordability. Afe Babalola University also allows staggered payment through its official student portal, while payment flexibility at Venite University should be confirmed directly with the university’s bursary department, as this can vary by session.