If you are considering studying Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, one of your biggest concerns is cost. Understanding the ATBU school fees for Medicine and Surgery is essential for financial planning, especially when medical programmes run for six years. ATBU is a federal university, which means it benefits from government subsidies that keep tuition significantly lower than private and most state universities.
This guide provides the complete ATBU school fees for Medicine and Surgery for the 2026/2027 academic session. We break down every fee component for fresh and returning students, compare ATBU’s costs with other universities offering Medicine, and cover admission requirements, payment procedures, and frequently asked questions. Whether you are a prospective student, a parent, or a guardian planning ahead, this article gives you the clarity you need.
About Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU)
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University is a federal university of technology located in Bauchi, Bauchi State, North-East Nigeria. The university takes its name from Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and operates under the motto “Doctrina Mater Artium” meaning “Education is the mother of the practical arts.” ATBU holds full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and offers programmes across seven faculties: Engineering, Science, Technology Education, Environmental Technology, Management Sciences, Agriculture, and the College of Medical Sciences.
The College of Medical Sciences operates from the Gubi campus, with clinical training conducted at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH). This teaching hospital serves as a major referral centre in the North-East region and provides students with hands-on clinical experience across all medical specialities. ATBU’s MBBS programme is fully accredited by the NUC and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), ensuring graduates can practise medicine anywhere in Nigeria and pursue postgraduate training.
Detailed Fee Breakdown for Medicine and Surgery at ATBU
The most direct answer to what are the ATBU school fees for Medicine and Surgery is approximately N189,000 per session for fresh (new) students and approximately N145,200 per session for returning students. These figures make ATBU one of the most affordable universities in Nigeria for studying Medicine. Below is a detailed breakdown of the estimated fee components.
| S/N | Fee Component | Fresh Students (Est.) | Returning Students (Est.) |
| 1 | Tuition Fee | ~N90,000 | ~N75,000 |
| 2 | Development Levy | ~N25,000 | ~N20,000 |
| 3 | Laboratory / Practical Fee | ~N20,000 | ~N15,000 |
| 4 | ICT / Technology Fee | ~N15,000 | ~N10,000 |
| 5 | Library Fee | ~N8,000 | ~N5,000 |
| 6 | Medical / Health Service Fee | ~N6,000 | ~N5,200 |
| 7 | Examination Fee | ~N10,000 | ~N7,000 |
| 8 | Student Union / SUG Fee | ~N5,000 | ~N3,000 |
| 9 | Departmental Dues | ~N5,000 | ~N3,000 |
| 10 | ID Card / Documentation | ~N5,000 | ~N2,000 |
| Total Estimated Fees | ~N189,000 | ~N145,200 |
Disclaimer: These are estimates based on the most recent fee schedules. Actual fees may vary slightly each session. Always confirm current figures on the official ATBU portal (atbu.edu.ng) or through the bursary department.
Acceptance Fee and Additional Charges
Beyond the session fees, new Medicine and Surgery students must pay an acceptance fee of approximately N40,000 upon receiving their admission offer through the JAMB CAPS portal. This fee confirms your acceptance of the university’s offer and must be paid before the deadline stated in your admission letter. Failure to pay the acceptance fee on time may result in loss of your admission slot. When budgeting for ATBU school fees for Medicine and Surgery, add this one-time acceptance fee to your first-year calculations.
Other additional charges include hostel accommodation, which ranges from N15,000 to N20,000 per session depending on the block and room type. ATBU’s hostel fees are among the lowest in the country. Students who prefer off-campus accommodation should budget for rent and transportation separately. Textbooks, medical equipment (stethoscope, lab coat, dissection kits), and personal expenses add to the overall cost of studying Medicine.
Total Estimated Cost for the Six-Year MBBS Programme
Medicine and Surgery at ATBU takes six years to complete. Based on the current ATBU school fees for Medicine and Surgery, the total estimated cost over the full programme is approximately N189,000 (first year) plus N145,200 multiplied by five remaining years, giving a total of roughly N915,000. Adding the acceptance fee (N40,000) and six years of hostel accommodation (approximately N90,000 to N120,000 total), the complete six-year investment ranges from about N1.05 million to N1.1 million. This makes ATBU one of the cheapest options for a medical degree in Nigeria.
How ATBU Fees Compare With Other Universities
To put the ATBU school fees for Medicine and Surgery in perspective, here is a comparison with other universities offering Medicine and Surgery across federal and private categories.
| S/N | University | Type | Fresh Students (Est.) | Returning Students (Est.) |
| 1 | ATBU, Bauchi | Federal | ~N189,000 | ~N145,200 |
| 2 | Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) | Federal | ~N78,000 | ~N70,000 |
| 3 | University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) | Federal | ~N90,000 | ~N70,000 |
| 4 | University of Jos (UNIJOS) | Federal | ~N100,000 | ~N80,000 |
| 5 | Bayero University Kano (BUK) | Federal | ~N85,000 | ~N65,000 |
| 6 | University of Ibadan (UI) | Federal | ~N120,000 | ~N90,000 |
| 7 | Bingham University, Karu | Private | ~N1,500,000 | ~N1,200,000 |
| 8 | Madonna University, Elele | Private | ~N825,000 | ~N700,000 |
Note: Federal university fees are subsidised by the government. Private university fees reflect the full cost of education without government support.
While ATBU’s fees are slightly higher than ABU Zaria and BUK for Medicine, the university remains firmly in the affordable federal university bracket. Compared to private universities like Bingham (N1.5 million) and Madonna (N825,000), the ATBU school fees for Medicine and Surgery represent a massive saving over the six-year programme.
How to Pay ATBU School Fees Online
ATBU uses an online payment system through its official portal. To pay your ATBU school fees for Medicine and Surgery, follow these steps: visit the ATBU website at atbu.edu.ng and click on “My Dashboard.” Log in using your matriculation number and password. Navigate to the fee payment section and generate a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) number for your fees. Take the RRR number to any commercial bank in Nigeria to make payment, or pay online through the Remita platform. After payment, return to the portal to print your payment receipt and complete your registration. Ensure you pay within the stipulated deadline to avoid late fees or registration complications.
Admission Requirements for Medicine and Surgery at ATBU
Understanding ATBU school fees for Medicine and Surgery is important, but you first need to gain admission. For JAMB UTME, candidates must register with English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. The general ATBU JAMB cut-off is 160, but Medicine and Surgery typically requires a departmental cut-off of 230 and above due to high competition. At O’Level, you need at least five credit passes including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB.
ATBU conducts post-UTME screening, and your combined JAMB and post-UTME score determines your admission status. Direct Entry candidates with A’Level, IJMB, or JUPEB qualifications in relevant science subjects can also apply. The MBBS programme takes six years, and graduates must complete a one-year housemanship and register with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) before practising.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much do fresh Medicine students pay at ATBU?
Fresh Medicine and Surgery students at ATBU pay approximately N189,000 per session. This covers tuition, development levy, laboratory fees, ICT fees, library fees, and other mandatory charges. An additional acceptance fee of approximately N40,000 is required before registration. The ATBU school fees for Medicine and Surgery make it one of the most affordable medical programmes in Nigeria.
Can I pay ATBU school fees in instalments?
Yes. ATBU allows students to pay school fees in two instalments. However, paying the full amount at once is recommended to avoid potential extra charges or registration delays associated with instalment payments. Ensure all payments are completed before the deadline to maintain your active student status.
Is hostel accommodation included in the school fees?
No. Hostel accommodation is charged separately at ATBU. The hostel fee ranges from N15,000 to N20,000 per session depending on the block. Students must submit their registered courses before booking hostel accommodation through the e-hostel portal. Payment must be completed within 48 hours of booking, or the reservation becomes invalid.
What is the JAMB cut-off mark for Medicine at ATBU?
The general ATBU JAMB cut-off is 160. However, Medicine and Surgery is highly competitive, and the departmental cut-off typically starts at 230 and above. Candidates should aim for 250 or higher to strengthen their chances, especially given the large number of applicants for this programme. Strong O’Level results and excellent post-UTME performance are equally important.
Is the ATBU MBBS programme accredited?
Yes. The Medicine and Surgery programme at ATBU holds full accreditation from both the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). Graduates can complete their housemanship, register with the MDCN, and practise medicine anywhere in Nigeria. The accreditation also qualifies graduates to sit for postgraduate examinations and seek specialisation training. When evaluating ATBU school fees for Medicine and Surgery, the programme’s full accreditation adds significant value to the degree.
Are there scholarships available for ATBU Medicine students?
Yes. ATBU students can apply for scholarships from government bodies (such as state scholarship boards and the Federal Government Scholarship), private foundations like the Nura Manu Foundation, and international scholarship programmes. Medical students may also qualify for bursaries offered by state governments to indigenes studying health-related courses. These opportunities can significantly reduce the overall cost of the ATBU school fees for Medicine and Surgery over the six-year programme.
Conclusion
The ATBU school fees for Medicine and Surgery for the 2026/2027 session stand at approximately N189,000 for fresh students and N145,200 for returning students per session. With a total six-year investment of roughly N1.05 million to N1.1 million (including acceptance fees and hostel), ATBU offers one of the most affordable pathways to a medical degree in Nigeria. The programme is fully accredited by both NUC and MDCN, and clinical training at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital ensures graduates are well-prepared for professional practice.
Understanding the ATBU school fees for Medicine and Surgery helps you plan your finances and make informed decisions about your medical education. Confirm the latest fee schedule directly on the ATBU portal before making any payments, and explore scholarship opportunities to further reduce your costs. Share this guide with friends and family members who are also considering studying Medicine at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University for the 2026/2027 academic session.