Anambra State is one of the most educationally vibrant states in Nigeria — and if you are trying to make sense of the private universities in Anambra state and their fees, you have landed on the right page. Whether you are a JAMB aspirant, a parent comparing options, or someone already holding an admission offer, this guide gives you verified fee figures, institutional profiles, and practical admission tips for every accredited private university in the state.

 

Anambra hosts a growing number of NUC-approved private universities, ranging from some of Nigeria’s oldest private institutions to newer, provisionally licensed campuses. Each has its own fee structure, academic strengths, and campus culture. The information here is drawn from official university portals and up-to-date educational sources — so you can plan your finances without guessing.

 

All Private Universities in Anambra State at a Glance

Before diving into individual details, here is a quick snapshot of all the institutions covered under the discussion of private universities in Anambra state and their fees:

 

University	Location	Est.	NUC Status
Madonna University (Okija Campus)	Okija, Ihiala LGA	1999	Fully Accredited
Tansian University (TANU)	Umunya, Oyi LGA	2007	Fully Accredited
Paul University	Awka, Awka South LGA	2009	Fully Accredited
Legacy University	Okija, Ihiala LGA	2016	Accredited
Shanahan University	Onitsha, Anambra East	2022	Provisionally Licensed
University on the Niger	Umunya, Oyi LGA	2022	Provisionally Licensed
Peter University	Achina, Aguata LGA	2023	Provisionally Licensed

 

Note: “Provisionally Licensed” institutions are newly approved by the NUC and are in their probationary phase. Their programmes are valid, but always confirm current accreditation status on nuc.edu.ng before applying.

 

1. Madonna University, Okija — Fees and Overview

Madonna University holds a unique place in Nigeria’s higher education history: it is the first private university ever licensed in the country, receiving its NUC accreditation in 1999. Founded by Very Rev. Fr. Prof. E. M. P. Edeh, it operates three campuses — Okija (Anambra State), Elele (Rivers State), and Akpugo (Enugu State). The Okija campus, which sits right in Anambra, houses faculties for Management and Social Sciences, Arts, Education, and Law. It forms the backbone of any serious discussion of the

private universities in Anambra state and their fees.

 

When students search for the private universities in Anambra state and their fees, Madonna is always the anchor institution — and rightly so. Its Okija campus alone has produced thousands of legal, business, and social science graduates since 1999. It remains the most historically significant name in this conversation.

 

Madonna University Fee Structure (2025/2026 – 2026/2027 Estimates)

Faculty / Programme	Min. Fee (₦/session)	Max. Fee (₦/session)
Management & Social Sciences (Okija)	450,000	700,000
Arts, Education & Law (Okija)	450,000	750,000
Medicine & Surgery (Elele Campus)	1,500,000	2,000,000
Pharmacy / Nursing (Elele Campus)	1,200,000	1,800,000
Engineering (Akpugo Campus)	500,000	800,000
Natural Sciences	450,000	600,000

 

Important: The Medicine, Pharmacy, and Engineering programmes are run on the Elele and Akpugo campuses respectively, not in Anambra. If you intend to study at the Okija campus specifically, focus on Management, Arts, Education, and Law programmes. Accommodation fees are additional and vary by room type and campus.

 

Madonna University Key Facts

• Minimum JAMB score: 140 (some programmes require higher)
• Accepts Direct Entry candidates
• Part-time and postgraduate programmes available
• Payment via Remita RRR code, generated from the student portal
• Website: madonnauniversity.edu.ng

 

2. Tansian University (TANU), Umunya — Fees and Overview

Tansian University, fondly called TANU, sits in Umunya, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State. Founded in 2007 by the late Rev. Fr. Prof. John Bosco Akam, the university honours the memory of the Blessed Father Iwene Tansi — the first Nigerian to be beatified by the Catholic Church. TANU blends rigorous academics with strong ethical and Christian values.

 

What makes TANU genuinely exciting for budget-conscious students is its affordability. Among all the institutions discussed when talking about the private universities in Anambra state and their fees, Tansian is one of the cheapest private universities in the South-East, yet it holds full NUC accreditation and offers programmes across six faculties including Law, Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, Management Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, and Education.

 

Tansian University Fee Breakdown (2025/2026 Official Schedule)

Fee Component	Fresh Students (₦)	Returning Students (₦)
Tuition Fee	250,000	250,000
Sundry Fees	64,000	32,000
Accommodation (Hostel)	50,000	50,000
Health Fee	6,000	6,000
GST Books (4 books)	7,000	N/A
Total (Approx.)	377,000 – 477,000	338,000 – 438,000

 

Note: Law and Nursing programmes attract higher tuition (up to ₦600,000 – ₦700,000/session). The 50% installment option for returning students makes TANU particularly family-friendly. New students must pay 100% of fees within two weeks of admission.

 

How to Pay Tansian University Fees

• Tuition & Sundry: Access Bank, Account Name: Tansian University, Account No: 0018395646
• Accommodation & Health: Keystone Bank, Account Name: Tansian University Project A/C, No: 1007347983
• Books: Zenith Bank, Account Name: Tansian Missionaries Book Sales, No: 1015742460
• Online option: tansianuniversity.edu.ng → ‘Pay Online’ via PixPay platform

 

3. Paul University, Awka — Fees and Overview

Paul University is one of the most affordable private universities in all of Nigeria, not just Anambra State. Students who research the private universities in Anambra state and their fees are often surprised to find that Paul University’s tuition sits at ₦190,000 to ₦240,000 per session. Located in Awka, the state capital, and founded in 2009, it is a private Christian institution accredited by the NUC.

 

Paul University offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in disciplines including Business Administration, Accounting, Computer Science, Political Science, Mass Communication, Christian Religious Studies, and Education. The campus sits in the heart of Awka, making it easily accessible for students within Anambra and from neighbouring states.

 

• Current tuition range: ₦190,000 – ₦240,000 per session
• Location: 1 Paul University Avenue, Awka, Anambra State
• Minimum JAMB score: 160 (verify on the admissions portal)
• Website: pauluniversity.edu.ng
• Scholarship and loan opportunities available for qualifying students

 

4. Legacy University, Okija — Fees and Overview

Legacy University, established in 2016 and also located in Okija alongside Madonna University, is part of the growing answer to the question of private universities in Anambra state and their fees. It positions itself as an innovation-focused institution with a strong emphasis on business, entrepreneurship, and practical skills.

 

Legacy University offers programmes in Management Sciences, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Humanities. Its fee range is approximately ₦350,000 to ₦600,000 per session depending on the programme. The university encourages industry partnerships and internship exposure for students, reflecting its entrepreneurial DNA.

 

• Fee range: ₦350,000 – ₦600,000 per session (estimate)
• Location: Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State
• Website: legacyuni.edu.ng
• Focus areas: Business, Entrepreneurship, Management

 

5. Shanahan University, University on the Niger & Peter University

Three newer institutions round off the full picture of the

private universities in Anambra state and their fees. All three hold provisional NUC licences, meaning their programmes are valid but are still in the accreditation probationary phase.

 

Shanahan University, located in Onitsha, is a Catholic institution named after Bishop Joseph Shanahan, the renowned missionary who championed education in the Igbo-speaking regions. It offers Science and Arts programmes and is steadily building its academic infrastructure.

 

University on the Niger, also in Umunya, Oyi LGA, is another provisionally licensed institution offering programmes in Sciences and Social Sciences. Its proximity to Tansian University makes Umunya increasingly a private university hub in Anambra.

 

Peter University (Achina, Aguata LGA) is a Catholic university approved by NUC in 2023. It focuses on academic excellence grounded in Catholic social teaching and moral discipline. Fee schedules for these three newer institutions are best confirmed directly on their respective official portals or by calling their admissions offices, as they are still establishing their full fee frameworks.

 

Fee Comparison: Private Universities in Anambra State

Use this summary table to compare the private universities in Anambra state and their fees side-by-side:

 

University	Fee Range (₦/session)	Strength	Best For
Madonna University	450,000 – 2,000,000	Medicine, Law, Engineering	Medical/Health Sciences
Tansian University	258,000 – 700,000	Affordable, ethical values	Arts, Social Sciences, Law
Paul University	190,000 – 240,000	Most affordable in state	Business, Education
Legacy University	350,000 – 600,000	Business & Entrepreneurship	Management Sciences
Shanahan University	TBC (verify)	Faith-based, new campus	Sciences, Arts

 

Paul University is the most affordable. Madonna University covers the widest range of professional disciplines. Tansian University hits the sweet spot between affordability and established academic reputation.

 

General Admission Requirements

Regardless of which institution you choose from the list of private universities in Anambra state and their fees, the following general admission requirements apply across all of them:

 

• Five (5) O-Level credit passes including English Language and Mathematics (maximum two sittings)
• Valid JAMB UTME score — minimum of 140 for most institutions, 160+ for competitive programmes
• Post-UTME screening (each university conducts its own independently)
• Direct Entry candidates must hold an OND, HND, NCE, or A-Level with the minimum required grades
• Medical fitness certificate (some institutions require this before registration)
• Passport photographs, birth certificate/declaration of age, and certified copies of certificates

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many private universities are in Anambra State?

As of 2026, Anambra State has seven NUC-licensed private universities: Madonna University, Tansian University, Paul University, Legacy University, Shanahan University, University on the Niger, and Peter University. The first four are fully accredited; the last three are on provisional licences.

2. Which private university in Anambra State has the lowest school fees?

Paul University in Awka is the most affordable, with fees ranging from ₦190,000 to ₦240,000 per session. For students exploring the private universities in Anambra state and their fees and working with a tight budget, Paul University is an excellent starting point.

3. Does Madonna University in Anambra offer Medicine?

No. The Medicine and Surgery programme at Madonna University runs exclusively on the Elele campus in Rivers State. The Okija campus in Anambra State covers Management Sciences, Arts, Education, and Law. Confirm your faculty assignment when applying.

4. Is Tansian University fully accredited?

Yes. Tansian University holds full NUC accreditation and has been operating successfully since 2007. It is one of the most established private universities in Anambra State and the South-East region.

5. Can I pay Tansian University fees in installments?

Yes, for returning students. They are required to pay at least 50% of their fees before gaining campus access at the start of the academic year, with the balance due before the second semester. Fresh students must pay 100% of fees within two weeks of receiving their admission offer.

6. What is the JAMB cut-off mark for private universities in Anambra?

The general NUC-mandated minimum JAMB score for private universities is 140. However, competitive programmes like Law, Nursing, and Computer Science at institutions like Madonna or Tansian may require higher scores. Always check the specific cut-off published by each university for the current session.

7. Are there scholarships available at these private universities?

Madonna University and Paul University explicitly offer scholarship and loan opportunities for qualifying students. Tansian University students can access external scholarships through bodies like the MTN Foundation and Anambra State government bursary schemes. Always inquire directly with each university’s student welfare office.

8. How do I verify the current fees before applying?

Always visit the official website of each institution to confirm the latest fee schedule before making any payment. For a reliable starting point on the private universities in Anambra state and their fees, the official portals are: madonnauniversity.edu.ng, tansianuniversity.edu.ng, pauluniversity.edu.ng, and legacyuni.edu.ng.

 

Final Thoughts

Understanding the private universities in Anambra state and their fees is not just about picking the cheapest option — it is about finding the right institution for your academic goals, personal values, and financial capacity.

 

Madonna University brings prestige and breadth of programmes with its multi-campus model. Tansian University offers an affordable, morally grounded education in a serene environment. Paul University is ideal for students who want a full private university experience at close to public university prices. Legacy University is a forward-thinking option for entrepreneurship-minded students. And the three newer institutions — Shanahan, University on the Niger, and Peter University — are emerging options worth watching as they grow into their accreditations.

 

Whichever institution you choose from this guide to the private universities in Anambra state and their fees, start your JAMB registration early, prepare well for post-UTME screening, and contact your preferred university’s admissions office directly to confirm the latest fees and available scholarships. Your education is one of the best investments you can make — and Anambra State gives you more choices than ever to make it happen on your own terms.