Private Universities in Gombe State and Their Fees
Overview of Higher Education in Gombe State
Gombe State, located in the North-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, has grown steadily as an educational hub in recent years. In addition to its federal and state-owned tertiary institutions, the state is now home to a small but growing number of private universities that offer degree programmes across sciences, humanities, management, law, and health-related disciplines. These private institutions provide alternative pathways into higher education for students who may not secure admission into the more competitive federal or state universities, and they often offer more flexible academic calendars, smaller class sizes, and modern facilities.
This article focuses specifically on the private universities located in Gombe State and gives a detailed breakdown of their school fees structures to help prospective students and parents plan their finances ahead of the academic session.
List of Private Universities in Gombe State
Gombe State currently has two licensed private universities recognized by the National Universities Commission (NUC):
North-Eastern University, Gombe (NEU) — formerly known as Pen Resource University
Jewel University, Gombe
Both institutions operate under NUC accreditation and offer a range of undergraduate programmes spanning sciences, health sciences, law, management, and social sciences.
North-Eastern University, Gombe (NEU)
North-Eastern University, Gombe was established by Dr. Sani Jauro, founder of Pen Resource Academy, and became the first private university in Gombe State and the third in North-Eastern Nigeria when it received Federal Executive Council approval in April 2022. The university was formally licensed by the NUC in May 2022 under the name Pen Resource University before later being rebranded to North-Eastern University. The institution is situated in Lafiyawo village along the Gombe-Bauchi road, and has continued to build international academic partnerships, including collaborations with universities in Malaysia.
NEU School Fees Breakdown (2025/2026 Session)
Fees at North-Eastern University vary significantly depending on the faculty and course of study. Below is a detailed breakdown per semester.
Faculty of Allied Health Sciences
Courses include Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS), Nursing Science (BNSc), and Public Health.
BMLS/Nursing tuition: ₦595,000 per semester
Public Health tuition: ₦565,000 per semester
Sample total for 100 level, 1st semester (BMLS/Nursing): ₦890,000
Sample total for 100 level, 2nd semester (Public Health): ₦790,000
Faculty of Communication, Management and Social Sciences
Courses include Accounting, Procurement, Business Administration, Mass Communication, Economics, International Relations, Political Science, and Public Administration.
Tuition: ₦477,500 per semester
Sample total for 100 level, 1st semester: ₦772,500
Sample total for 300 level, 2nd semester: ₦802,500
Faculty of Science and Computing
Courses include Computer Science, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Data Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, and Urban Planning.
Tuition: ₦477,500 per semester
Sample total for 100 level, 1st semester: ₦772,500
Sample total for 500 level, 2nd semester: ₦802,500
Faculty of Law
Departments include Islamic Law and Public and Private Law.
Tuition: ₦645,000 per semester
Sample total for 100 level, 1st semester: ₦940,000
Sample total for 500 level, 2nd semester: ₦970,000
Extra Charges Applicable Across Faculties (Per Semester)
Sport fee: ₦30,000
Health fee: ₦30,000
Technology fee: ₦50,000
Cisco fee: ₦15,000
Building maintenance fee: ₦50,000
Field/practical fee (level dependent): ₦50,000 or ₦100,000
One-Time Fees for New Students
Acceptance fee: ₦30,000
Matriculation fee: ₦30,000
ID card fee: ₦10,000
Final Year Charges
Convocation fee: ₦100,000
SIWES/Entrepreneurship fee (300 level, 2nd semester): ₦50,000
Hostel Accommodation (Optional)
Shared room for four students: ₦250,000 per semester
Room for two students with additional facilities (limited slots): ₦400,000 per semester
Payment Details for NEU
All fee payments must be made strictly into the university’s approved bank accounts. Tuition fees are paid into the North-Eastern University, Gombe account (Account Number: 0002801952) with TAJ Bank, while hostel accommodation fees are paid into the Ready Rides account (Account Number: 0003619767), also with TAJ Bank. The university has repeatedly warned prospective and current students not to make payments into any other account, stating that it will not be responsible for payments made outside these two designated accounts.
Jewel University, Gombe
Jewel University is the second private university located in Gombe State, offering programmes through its Faculty of Computing and Environmental Sciences and Faculty of Management Sciences, alongside other developing academic units. The university has consistently run admission exercises for Post-UTME, Direct Entry, Transfer, IJMB, Pre-Degree, and postgraduate (Master’s and PGD) programmes each academic cycle.
Jewel University General Fees (Per Semester)
These fees apply to all students in addition to their course-specific tuition:
Academic fees: ₦340,000
Departmental fees: ₦25,000
ICT fees (email, internet services, e-portal): ₦20,000
Sports fee: ₦10,000
Health fee: ₦10,000
Development fee: ₦20,000
Examination fee: ₦15,000
Total General Fees per Semester: ₦440,000
Fees by Faculty and Department
Faculty of Computing and Environmental Sciences
B.Sc. Computer Science: ₦440,000 per semester (₦880,000 per session)
B.Sc. Cyber Security: ₦440,000 per semester (₦880,000 per session)
B.Sc. Information and Communication Technology: ₦440,000 per semester (₦880,000 per session)
B.Sc. Architecture: ₦440,000 per semester (₦880,000 per session)
B.Sc. Building: ₦440,000 per semester (₦880,000 per session)
B.Sc. Quantity Surveying: ₦440,000 per semester (₦880,000 per session)
Faculty of Management Sciences
B.Sc. Accounting: ₦440,000 per semester (₦880,000 per session)
B.Sc. Taxation: ₦440,000 per semester (₦880,000 per session)
B.Sc. Taxation and Digital Finance: ₦440,000 per semester (₦880,000 per session)
B.Sc. Project Management: ₦440,000 per semester (₦880,000 per session)
B.Sc. Transport Management Technology: ₦440,000 per semester (₦880,000 per session)
B.Sc. Policy and Administrative Studies: ₦440,000 per semester (₦880,000 per session)
B.Sc. Criminology and Security Studies: ₦440,000 per semester (₦880,000 per session)
B.Sc. Business Administration: ₦440,000 per semester (₦880,000 per session)
B.Sc. Economics: ₦440,000 per semester (₦880,000 per session)
One-Time Fees for Freshers Only
Acceptance fee: ₦20,000
Result verification fee: ₦10,000
Student handbook/prospectus fee: ₦5,000
University branded items (T-shirt, sportswear, diary, pen, etc.): ₦25,000
Caution fee: ₦20,000
Total for Freshers: ₦80,000
Accommodation and Convenience Fees
Four-bed room (4 students per room): ₦100,000 per semester
Two-bed room (2 students per room): ₦200,000 per semester
One-bed room (1 student per room): ₦300,000 per semester
Jewel University’s fee schedule also spans Medical, Law, Computing, and Management faculties, with figures updated periodically. Prospective students are encouraged to confirm current departmental figures directly with the university’s financial office before payment.
Comparing NEU and Jewel University Fees
When placed side by side, both private universities in Gombe State fall within a broadly similar fee bracket for many of their programmes, though there are some notable differences:
NEU’s science, computing, management, and social science courses average around ₦477,500 per semester, while Jewel University’s general academic fee is fixed at ₦440,000 per semester across most departments before departmental variations.
NEU’s Faculty of Law is one of its most expensive offerings at ₦645,000 per semester, while its Allied Health Sciences programmes (Nursing and Medical Laboratory Science) are the costliest overall, at ₦595,000 per semester.
Jewel University applies a more uniform fee structure across most of its listed departments, at ₦440,000 per semester, though additional charges apply for freshers and accommodation.
Both universities charge separate one-time fees for new students, including acceptance fees, ID card or verification fees, and orientation-related charges.
Hostel accommodation at both universities follows a tiered pricing system based on room occupancy, with private single rooms costing considerably more than shared rooms.
Why Fees Vary Across Faculties
Private universities generally price their tuition based on the cost of running each programme. Courses requiring laboratories, specialized equipment, clinical placements, or professional accreditation—such as Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Law, Architecture, and Engineering-related disciplines—tend to attract higher fees than programmes in the humanities or general social sciences. This is a common trend at both North-Eastern University and Jewel University, where health science and law programmes are priced above the general average, while standard management and social science courses remain comparatively more affordable.
General Guidance for Prospective Students
Always confirm the current session’s fee schedule directly from the university’s official website or bursary office, as fees are subject to periodic review.
Make payments strictly into the official bank accounts published by each university, and avoid third-party agents or unofficial intermediaries.
Factor in one-time charges for new students (acceptance fees, ID cards, handbooks, branded items) in addition to the recurring semester tuition when budgeting for the first year.
Consider accommodation costs carefully, as hostel fees can add a substantial amount to the overall cost of a semester, particularly for single or shared two-person rooms.
Keep all payment receipts and teller confirmations, as they are typically required during registration and clearance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many private universities are there in Gombe State?
There are currently two NUC-recognized private universities in Gombe State: North-Eastern University, Gombe (formerly Pen Resource University) and Jewel University, Gombe.
2. What is the tuition fee range at North-Eastern University, Gombe?
Tuition at NEU ranges from about ₦477,500 per semester for Science, Computing, Management, and Social Science courses, up to ₦595,000 per semester for Nursing and Medical Laboratory Science, and ₦645,000 per semester for Law.
3. How much does Jewel University charge per semester?
Jewel University charges a general fee of ₦440,000 per semester across most of its Computing, Environmental Sciences, and Management Sciences programmes, in addition to a one-time ₦80,000 charge for new students.
4. Do these private universities charge hostel fees separately from tuition?
Yes. Both North-Eastern University and Jewel University charge hostel accommodation separately from tuition, with costs depending on room type. Shared rooms are more affordable, while single or two-person rooms with added facilities cost significantly more.
5. How can students pay their school fees at these universities?
Payments must be made directly into each university’s officially published bank accounts. For North-Eastern University, tuition is paid into its TAJ Bank account, while hostel fees go into a separate designated account. Students are strongly advised to avoid making payments to unofficial agents or unverified accounts.