| University | Location | Year | Proprietor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) | Ado-Ekiti | 2009 | Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) |
| Hillside University of Science and Technology (HUST) | Okemesi-Ekiti | 2023 | Mr. Joseph “Laoye” Jaiyeola |
| Venite University (VUI) | Iloro-Ekiti | 2023 | Private proprietorship |
Ekiti also hosts two federal universities (Federal University Oye-Ekiti and Federal University of Technology & Environmental Studies, Iyin-Ekiti) and two state universities (Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti; and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science & Technology, Ikere-Ekiti). Total: seven universities.
Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) — Ado-Ekiti
ABUAD is the flagship name on any list of private universities in Ekiti state and their fees. Founded in 2009 by legal icon and philanthropist Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), the university has risen to become one of the top-ranked private institutions in Nigeria and a model reference point recognised by the NUC itself.
Key facts about ABUAD
- Location: Km 8.5 Afe Babalola Way, Ado-Ekiti
- Founded: 2009
- Proprietor: Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), legal luminary and philanthropist
- Colleges: Medicine & Health Sciences, Law, Engineering, Sciences, Social & Management Sciences, Agriculture, Arts & Humanities, Postgraduate Studies
- JAMB cut-off: 180–240 depending on programme
- Post-UTME: Compulsory screening for all candidates
ABUAD school fees 2025/2026 (per session)
| Programme | Estimated Fee (₦ per session) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) | 5,795,000 | No installment allowed |
| Dentistry | 5,500,000 – 5,795,000 | No installment allowed |
| Pharmacy (Pharm.D) | 3,500,000 – 4,500,000 | 75/25 installment allowed |
| Nursing Science | 2,000,000 – 2,500,000 | 75/25 installment allowed |
| Law (LL.B) | 3,000,000 – 3,500,000 | No installment allowed |
| Engineering (all tracks) | 1,800,000 – 2,200,000 | 75/25 installment allowed |
| Computer Science / Computing | 1,500,000 – 1,800,000 | 75/25 installment allowed |
| Sciences (Chemistry, Biology, etc.) | 1,300,000 – 1,500,000 | 75/25 installment allowed |
| Arts, Social & Management Sciences | 1,114,500 – 1,400,000 | 75/25 installment allowed |
| Agriculture | 1,200,000 – 1,400,000 | 75/25 installment allowed |
In addition to tuition, ABUAD charges a one-off acceptance fee (₦100,000 for fresh students), mandatory University Requirement fee (₦40,000 for souvenirs and ID), plus medical screening and library fees. Hostel accommodation is separate — payable alongside school fees.
Hillside University of Science and Technology (HUST) — Okemesi-Ekiti
Hillside University, commonly known as HUST, is one of the newest entries on the list of private universities in Ekiti state and their fees. Inaugurated by the NUC in 2023, the university focuses on STEM and health sciences, with a clear mission to deliver affordable quality education. A 40% founding scholarship applies across all new programmes — a rare and attractive benefit.
Key facts about HUST
- Location: Along Ijero Road, Okemesi-Ekiti
- Founded: 2023 (NUC-licensed)
- Proprietor: Mr. Joseph “Laoye” Jaiyeola, former CEO of Nigerian Economic Summit Group
- Colleges: Health Sciences (including Nursing, MLS, Medicine), Engineering, Computing, Business Law & Educational Sciences
- JAMB cut-off: 150 and above (programme-dependent)
- Motto: “Learning and Living”
HUST school fees 2025/2026 (per session)
| Programme | Tuition (₦ per session) | Acceptance Fee (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery | 3,568,750 | 250,000 |
| Nursing Science | 1,500,000 – 1,800,000 | 150,000 |
| Medical Laboratory Science | 1,300,000 – 1,600,000 | 150,000 |
| Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical) | 1,073,750 – 1,323,750 | 100,000 |
| Computer Science / Software Engineering | 1,073,750 – 1,323,750 | 100,000 |
| Business, Accounting, Economics | 940,000 | 80,000 |
| Education Sciences | 940,000 | 80,000 |
| Agriculture | 940,000 – 1,000,000 | 50,000 |
HUST offers three payment plans — full payment (upfront), two-installment (per semester), and four-installment (quarterly). The 40% institutional scholarship applies to all new students, significantly reducing the effective fee burden.
Venite University — Iloro-Ekiti
Venite University sits in a quieter pocket of the private universities in Ekiti state and their fees landscape. NUC-licensed in 2023, Venite has grown rapidly, admitting its third matriculation cohort in 2025. The school emphasises moral, spiritual, and academic excellence, with cutting-edge labs and modern classrooms.
Key facts about Venite University
- Location: KM 2, Ayetoro Road, Iloro-Ekiti
- Founded: 2023 (NUC-licensed)
- Colleges: Allied Health & Medical Sciences; Agriculture, Computing, Engineering & Sciences; Arts, Social & Management Sciences
- JAMB cut-offs: 200 (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy); 180 (Nursing); 170 (Medical Lab, Physio, Radiography); 150 (other courses)
- Programmes: Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy (Pharm.D), Nursing, MLS, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Biochemistry, Agriculture, Economics, Business, Mass Communication
Venite University fees 2025/2026 (per session — indicative ranges)
| Programme | Estimated Fee (₦ per session) |
|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery / Dentistry | 2,500,000 – 3,500,000 |
| Pharmacy (Pharm.D) | 1,800,000 – 2,500,000 |
| Nursing Science | 1,200,000 – 1,500,000 |
| Medical Laboratory Science / Physiotherapy / Radiography | 1,000,000 – 1,400,000 |
| Engineering & Computer Science | 800,000 – 1,200,000 |
| Sciences (Biochemistry, Agriculture, etc.) | 700,000 – 900,000 |
| Arts, Social Sciences, Management | 600,000 – 800,000 |
Exact Venite University fees for 2026/2027 should be confirmed directly on veniteuniversity.edu.ng or via helpdesk@veniteuniversity.edu.ng, since figures above are estimates based on 2024/2025 and early 2025/2026 admissions notices.
Quick Comparison: ABUAD vs HUST vs Venite
When weighing private universities in Ekiti state and their fees side by side, the differences go beyond tuition — location, ranking, class size, and programme depth all matter. Here’s a clean comparison view.
| Feature | ABUAD | HUST | Venite University |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 | 2023 | 2023 |
| Tuition range | ₦1.1M – ₦5.8M | ₦940k – ₦3.5M | ₦600k – ₦3.5M |
| Medicine available | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Law available | Yes | Partial (Law Sciences) | No |
| Engineering | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| JAMB minimum | 180 – 240 | 150 | 150 – 200 |
| Accreditation status | Fully accredited (established) | NUC-licensed (new) | NUC-licensed (new) |
Why Pick a Private University in Ekiti?
Before comparing options across private universities in Ekiti state and their fees, it helps to understand why so many candidates look this way. Ekiti’s private universities hold clear advantages that draw candidates from across Nigeria:
- Stable academic calendar — no ASUU strikes, uninterrupted sessions
- Smaller class sizes allow personalised attention from lecturers
- Modern infrastructure — state-of-the-art labs, libraries, and hostels
- Strong faith, ethics, and character-formation components alongside academics
- Competitive graduate outcomes — ABUAD alumni routinely win international scholarships and multinational jobs
- Easier admission pathways compared to oversubscribed federal flagship universities
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Admission into any of the private universities in Ekiti state and their fees follows a standard Nigerian process:
- Register for JAMB UTME and select your target Ekiti private university as first or second choice
- Meet the school’s JAMB cut-off (150 for HUST and most Venite courses; 180+ for ABUAD)
- Submit five O’Level credits including English and Mathematics (WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB)
- Pay the application/admission form fee on the target school’s portal
- Attend post-UTME screening (ABUAD runs a compulsory screening)
- Accept the admission offer and pay the acceptance fee within the stated window
- Complete registration on the student portal and pay tuition before resumption
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many private universities are in Ekiti State in 2026? Three. The full list of private universities in Ekiti state and their fees covers Afe Babalola University (ABUAD, 2009), Hillside University of Science and Technology (HUST, 2023), and Venite University, Iloro-Ekiti (2023).
2. Which is the most affordable private university in Ekiti? HUST is the most affordable on paper — business, education, and agriculture programmes cost ₦940,000/session, with a 40% institutional scholarship reducing effective fees further. Venite University follows closely for arts and social-science courses.
3. Does ABUAD offer installment payment? Yes, for most courses — 75% first semester and 25% second semester. Law and MBBS programmes must be paid in full and do not qualify for installment plans.
4. Can I study Medicine in any Ekiti private university? Yes. All three private universities in Ekiti state and their fees structures include Medicine and Surgery programmes. ABUAD is the most established, while HUST and Venite are newer and typically cheaper.
5. What is the cheapest way to attend a private university in Ekiti? Apply to HUST for non-health programmes (₦940,000/session) or Venite for arts and social sciences. Combine that with the HUST 40% institutional scholarship or any sponsorship plan to lower your out-of-pocket costs.
6. Are these universities accredited by NUC? Yes. ABUAD carries full accreditation with extensive programme approval. HUST and Venite carry operational licences granted in 2023. Individual programme accreditations may still be in progress — always verify the specific course on the NUC website before enrolling.
7. Does ABUAD accept JAMB scores below 200? Yes, for non-competitive programmes like Agriculture, Arts, and some Social Sciences. Medicine, Law, and Pharmacy require much higher scores (usually 220+). The general ABUAD minimum sits around 180.
8. Which private university in Ekiti has the best ranking? ABUAD ranks consistently as one of Nigeria’s top three private universities alongside Covenant and Babcock. Among private universities in Ekiti state and their fees structures, ABUAD leads on ranking while HUST and Venite are too new for ranking tables but operate with active NUC licences.
Final Thoughts
The full picture of private universities in Ekiti state and their fees in 2026/2027 gives families and candidates real choice — premium prestige at ABUAD, affordable STEM innovation at HUST, or balanced mid-range options at Venite. Each school fits a different budget and ambition level.
Check accreditation, confirm fees directly with the Bursary, and apply through official portals. The list of private universities in Ekiti state and their fees is growing, and 2026/2027 offers more realistic private-school pathways in Ekiti than any previous session. Your admission is earned through preparation — start researching and applying today.