Nile University of Nigeria currently charges about ₦7.15 million per academic session for Medicine and Surgery, making it the most expensive among ten private universities reviewed. ABUAD, Babcock, Bowen and EkoUNIMED all charge above ₦5 million yearly, while parents could spend over ₦40 million on tuition alone before a student graduates from the six-year programme.
Nile University Leads with ₦7.15 Million Per Session
Nile University tops the list, with MBBS students paying ₦3,575,000 per semester, bringing the total to about ₦7,150,000 per academic session. The university is among the most expensive private institutions to study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria.
Babcock University follows closely, charging between ₦5.5 million and ₦7 million per session for Medicine and Surgery, depending on the student's level. The university operates a tiered fee structure, meaning fresh students pay more before fees reduce slightly during the clinical years.
ABUAD and Bowen: Fees Vary by Level
Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) charges annual fees ranging from ₦6,007,750 to ₦6,954,000, depending on the student's level. This places ABUAD among the most expensive private universities for medical education.
At Bowen University, fresh MBBS students pay a base academic fee of ₦6,089,520. After compulsory administrative charges, admission deposits and clinical bench fees are added, first-year costs rise above ₦6.5 million, while students in higher clinical levels may spend between ₦3.2 million and ₦5 million each year.
EkoUNIMED and Igbinedion: Mid-Range Options
Eko University of Medicine and Health Sciences (EkoUNIMED) charges between ₦5,519,750 and ₦6,519,750 per session, covering tuition, compulsory charges and accommodation. Igbinedion University, Okada, Nigeria's first private university to offer Medicine, charges an estimated ₦4.7 million per session for fresh MBBS students.
For those seeking lower-priced options, Madonna University charges between ₦2 million and ₦3.8 million per academic session, depending on whether the student is in the pre-clinical or clinical stage. Gregory University, Uturu (GUU) falls within a similar range, with MBBS fees estimated at ₦2.5 million to over ₦3.5 million annually.
Bingham and Redeemer's: Cheaper Alternatives
At Bingham University, Medicine students pay between ₦2.98 million and ₦3.38 million per session, depending on their level. Redeemer's University does not currently offer a standalone MBBS programme; however, students studying courses under the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences pay between ₦922,000 and ₦2,645,720 per academic session, depending on the programme and year of study.
With tuition alone reaching millions of naira every year, the cost of becoming a doctor in Nigeria has become a major financial commitment for many families. This is before factoring in textbooks, feeding, transport, clinical materials and other personal expenses that come with medical school. For many aspiring doctors, getting the admission is only the first hurdle; paying for it is another challenge entirely.
