Many Nigerians who work, run businesses or live far from a campus now look for a private university that offers flexible study. Anyone searching for the list of private open universities in Nigeria and their fees needs two things: the names of schools that the National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved for open and distance learning (ODL), and a realistic idea of how much each route costs.
This guide explains how private open and distance learning works in Nigeria, which private institutions run it, how their fees are structured, the admission requirements and the steps to confirm that a school is genuine before any payment is made for the 2026/2027 session.
What a Private Open University Means in Nigeria
An open university lets students study mostly off campus, through online lectures, printed or digital course materials and periodic physical activities such as examinations or practicals. In Nigeria, the only public institution built entirely on this model is the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). Private providers fall into two groups:
- Private universities that hold an NUC licence to run an open and distance learning centre alongside their normal campus programmes.
- Private institutions licensed as dedicated online or open universities, which operate mainly through the internet.
Both groups need NUC approval for each degree programme they offer. A school may be licensed as a university and still have no approval for distance programmes, so the approval must be checked for the specific course and the specific mode of study.
List of Private Open Universities in Nigeria and Their Programmes
The NUC licenses private providers in batches, and the number of approved ODL programmes changes as new approvals are issued. The list below covers private providers with publicly reported ODL or online approval at the time of writing. It is not a complete register, so always compare it with the current NUC listing.
Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) Open and Distance Learning Centre
ABUAD in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, received NUC approval, dated 10 June 2025, for five programmes in its Open and Distance Learning Centre, effective from the 2025/2026 session. The approved programmes are B.Sc. Economics, B.Sc. Business Administration, B.Sc. Computer Science, B.NSc Nursing Science and M.Sc. Finance. The approval followed a pre-validation visit by an NUC panel in April 2025, which assessed staff, learning materials and ICT facilities. Learners receive self-study course materials and support from a Learners’ Support Unit.
Miva Open University
Miva Open University is reported as Nigeria’s first fully online university licensed by the NUC. It delivers its programmes through an online learning platform, so students attend from any location with a stable internet connection. Applicants confirm the current programme list and fees on the university’s official website.
Al-Muhibbah Open University, Abuja
Al-Muhibbah Open University in Abuja is reported to be among the private universities licensed in 2023 to run open and distance learning. It operates from the Federal Capital Territory, and prospective students confirm the approved programmes directly with the school and with the NUC.
BYU-Pathway Worldwide
BYU-Pathway Worldwide received a provisional NUC licence to operate in Nigeria. It offers online bachelor’s degree programmes, of which six were reported as directly approved by the NUC while the remaining two are accredited through partner institutions. Its fee model differs from that of most Nigerian schools, so applicants read the published tuition terms carefully.
Other Private Distance Learning Centres
Some private universities have applied for or received approval for distance centres in selected programmes, and new approvals appear regularly. A school that does not appear on a published list can still hold a valid approval, so the NUC remains the final reference.
| Institution | Type | Location / Delivery | Reported Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABUAD Open and Distance Learning Centre | Private university ODL centre | Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State; online with support unit | 5 programmes approved in 2025 |
| Miva Open University | Private online university | Fully online | NUC licensed |
| Al-Muhibbah Open University | Private open university | Abuja | Licensed in 2023 for ODL |
| BYU-Pathway Worldwide | Online provider | Online, with local gathering centres | Provisional NUC licence |
How Fees Are Structured in Private Open Universities
The list of private open universities in Nigeria and their fees cannot carry one fixed figure per school, because fees depend on the programme, the level and the billing method. No honest list can promise a single amount that applies to every student. The common billing patterns are:
- Flat session fee: one amount per academic session that covers tuition and learning materials.
- Per-course fee: the student pays for each course registered in a semester, which gives control over total cost.
- Per-credit-unit fee: tuition is calculated from the number of credit units taken.
- Add-on charges: application form, acceptance fee, registration, examination, practical or clinical fees, and technology or platform fees.
As a general pattern, private open and distance learning programmes cost more than NOUN, which is publicly funded, and less than a full residential private university, because there are no hostel charges and the school carries lower campus costs. Science-based and clinical programmes such as nursing cost more than arts, management or social science programmes because they include practical work.
| Fee Component | What It Covers | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Application form | Processing of the application | Once |
| Acceptance fee | Secures the admission offer | Once |
| Tuition | Lectures, course materials and tutor support | Per session, semester or course |
| Examination fee | Semester or session examinations | Per semester or session |
| Practical or clinical fee | Laboratory, ward or field postings | Per posting or session |
| Technology or platform fee | E-learning platform and digital library | Per session |
Because published figures change from one session to the next, the exact amount for 2026/2027 comes from the school’s own admission portal or fee schedule. A student should ask for a written breakdown that shows every charge before making the first payment.
Factors That Affect the Cost
Several factors move the total cost of a private open degree up or down:
- The course of study. Nursing, computer science and other practical courses cost more than business administration or economics.
- The level of entry. A Direct Entry student who starts at 200 level pays for fewer sessions than a UTME entrant at 100 level.
- The billing method. Per-course billing suits students who register fewer courses, while a flat fee suits students who take the full load.
- The number of years taken. A student who fails or defers courses pays for extra semesters.
- Travel and data costs. Physical examinations, practicals and a steady internet connection add to the real cost of study.
Admission Requirements
Requirements differ by school and programme, but most private open universities ask for the following:
- Five O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics, obtained in not more than two sittings from WAEC, NECO or NABTEB.
- Subjects relevant to the chosen course, for example Biology, Chemistry and Physics for nursing, or Economics for economics-related courses.
- For Direct Entry: A’Level results, a National Diploma, an NCE, a relevant professional certificate or a qualifying diploma, depending on the course.
- For nursing: a Registered Nurse certificate and a valid practising licence from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, where the programme is a post-basic degree.
- A passport photograph, birth certificate or declaration of age, and a valid email address and phone number.
Some distance programmes admit students without a UTME score, while others ask for registration on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) system. The school’s admission notice states which rule applies.
How to Apply to a Private Open University
- Visit the official website of the university and open the admissions page for the 2026/2027 session.
- Choose a programme and confirm that it is approved for distance or online learning.
- Create an applicant account and pay the application fee through the payment channel shown on the portal.
- Upload clear copies of the O’Level results and other documents.
- Wait for the admission decision, which the school sends by email or through the portal.
- Pay the acceptance fee and the first tuition instalment, then register courses and activate the learning account.
Payments go only through the school’s official account or payment gateway. Admission is never sold through agents, social media pages or private accounts.
How to Confirm That a Private Open University Is Genuine
Fake distance learning schools exist, so checking is part of the application. Four checks protect the applicant:
- Find the school on the NUC list of licensed universities, then find the specific programme on the approved or accredited programme list.
- Confirm that the school is approved for distance or online delivery and not only for campus-based study.
- Check that the website address belongs to the school, and call the numbers listed on the NUC or the school’s official pages.
- Check whether the profession requires its own accreditation, such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for nursing, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) for engineering, or the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria for accounting.
Private Open Universities Compared With NOUN
| Point | Private Open University | NOUN |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Private, funded by fees | Federal government |
| Typical cost | Higher | Lower |
| Number of programmes | Fewer, still growing | Wide range |
| Study centres | Few or none | Nationwide network |
| Delivery | Mostly online | Online, with study centres for exams and support |
A student who wants the lowest cost and the widest range of courses often looks at NOUN first. A student who wants a smaller learner group, a specific private brand or a programme that NOUN does not offer looks at the private options.
Is a Degree From a Private Open University Recognised?
A degree is recognised when the programme holds NUC approval at the time of study. Graduates of approved programmes can apply for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation, subject to the NYSC rules for the mode of study, and they can apply for postgraduate programmes and jobs in the same way as other graduates. A programme without approval gives a certificate that employers, NYSC and other universities may reject, so the approval must exist before enrolment, not afterwards.
Tips for Choosing a School
- Compare at least three schools on programme approval, total cost and support services.
- Ask what part of the course requires physical attendance and where it takes place.
- Read the refund and deferment policy before paying.
- Check the internet and device requirements for the learning platform.
- Keep receipts and screenshots of every payment and admission message.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which private universities run open and distance learning in Nigeria? Reported examples include ABUAD’s Open and Distance Learning Centre, Miva Open University, Al-Muhibbah Open University and BYU-Pathway Worldwide. The NUC register is the final reference.
2. How much do private open universities charge? Fees vary by school, course and billing method. Nursing and computer science programmes cost more than arts and management courses. The official fee schedule gives the current amount.
3. Are private open universities cheaper than NOUN? Generally no. NOUN is publicly funded and usually charges less, while private schools set their own fees.
4. Do I need JAMB for a private open university? It depends on the school and the entry mode. Some programmes admit by Direct Entry or direct application, and others ask for JAMB registration.
5. How do I know a programme is NUC approved? Search the school and the exact programme on the NUC list of approved programmes, and confirm approval for distance or online delivery.
Final Thoughts
The list of private open universities in Nigeria and their fees is still short compared with the list of conventional private universities, but it keeps growing as the NUC approves more distance and online programmes. The right choice rests on three checks: approval of the exact programme, a clear written fee breakdown and a payment route that goes only through the school’s official channels. Before applying for the 2026/2027 session, confirm the current programmes, fees and dates on the official website of the university and on the NUC portal.