Jigawa State — the “New World” state of northern Nigeria — has one of the most unusual private-university stories in the country. If you’re a prospective jambite, parent, or transfer student researching the private universities in Jigawa state and their fees, this guide gives you the full picture, including a major recent development you must know before applying anywhere.
Here’s the straight truth up front: as of the 2026/2027 academic session, Jigawa State has NO currently operating NUC-accredited private university. The state’s only private institution, Khadija University Majia, was acquired by the Jigawa State Government in October 2024 and is transitioning to become a state-owned institution. Any article claiming multiple private universities in Jigawa state and their fees operate today is working from outdated information. This guide walks you through the full story and what your real options are.
Jigawa State Universities at a Glance
Here’s a clean overview of every university currently operating in Jigawa State as of 2026/2027. This context matters because it shapes what admission options Jigawa indigenes and applicants actually have:
| Type | University | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | Federal University, Dutse (FUD) | Dutse | Operational |
| Federal | Federal University of Technology, Babura | Babura | Operational (newly established) |
| State | Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa | Kafin Hausa | Operational |
| State | Khadija University, Majia (formerly private) | Majia, Taura LGA | Transitioning to state |
| Private | (No current private university) | — | See “nearby alternatives” section |
Four universities currently operate in Jigawa State — two federal, one established state, and one transitioning from private to state ownership. This leaves a real gap in the list of private universities in Jigawa state and their fees structures — a gap the state government may address in future through public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements.
The Khadija University Story: From Private to State-Owned
Any serious discussion of private universities in Jigawa state and their fees must address what happened to Khadija University Majia (KUM) — the only private university the state ever hosted.
Timeline of Khadija University
- 2014: Khadija University established as a private institution by Alhaji Abdulaziz Garba Namadi — a businessman and philanthropist — and named after his mother
- 2018 (March 13): Officially incorporated
- 2021: Fully recognised and accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC)
- July 2024: Jigawa State Government inaugurates technical and administrative committees to begin acquisition process
- October 2024: State Executive Council approves acquisition for N11 billion; 40% advance payment (N4.07 billion) made
- 2025: Governor Umar Namadi announces the university will be converted into a specialised institution under a public-private partnership (PPP) model
- 2026/2027 session: Transition continues; the institution is no longer categorised as a private university
The reason for the acquisition was stated plainly by state officials — the private proprietor faced financial sustainability challenges, while Jigawa State wanted to expand tertiary-education access for its youth. The result is that Jigawa’s only private university moved into the public sector.
Khadija University Historical Fees (Reference Only)
For researchers still looking at past versions of private universities in Jigawa state and their fees, here’s what Khadija University charged during its final private session (2024/2025) across its 15 NUC-accredited programmes. Please note — these fees applied while it operated as a private institution and do NOT reflect current state-owned rates.
| Programme | Faculty | Estimated Fees (₦/session) |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Science | Basic Medical Sciences | 600,000 – 800,000 |
| Medical Laboratory Science | Basic Medical Sciences | 500,000 – 700,000 |
| Computer Science | Natural & Applied Sciences | 350,000 – 500,000 |
| Cyber Security | Natural & Applied Sciences | 350,000 – 500,000 |
| Software Engineering | Natural & Applied Sciences | 350,000 – 500,000 |
| Biology / Chemistry / Physics | Natural & Applied Sciences | 300,000 – 450,000 |
| Mathematics | Natural & Applied Sciences | 300,000 – 400,000 |
| Accounting / Economics | Management & Social Sciences | 300,000 – 450,000 |
| Mass Communication | Management & Social Sciences | 300,000 – 450,000 |
| Criminology & Security Studies | Management & Social Sciences | 300,000 – 400,000 |
| Entrepreneurship | Management & Social Sciences | 300,000 – 400,000 |
Since the institution transitioned to state ownership in 2024/2025, fees may now be significantly lower than these figures. Prospective students should contact the Bursary at kum.edu.ng directly for current 2026/2027 rates under the new state ownership.
Why Jigawa Currently Has No Private University
Several factors shape the current status of private universities in Jigawa state and their fees:
- State-led expansion: Jigawa has prioritised government-funded tertiary institutions — two federal universities, two state universities, plus polytechnics and colleges of education
- Tuition affordability pressure: Federal and state fees in Jigawa range from ₦50,000 to ₦135,500, making private fees (often ₦300,000+) a much harder sell locally
- Financial sustainability: The Khadija private model proved difficult to sustain without government support — triggering the 2024 state acquisition
- Population dynamics: Many Jigawa candidates commute to nearby Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, or Katsina for private-university admission
- Regulatory pipeline: No new private-university licence for Jigawa has been publicly announced by NUC as of early 2026
Strong Affordable Alternatives Inside Jigawa State
Given the current absence on any list of private universities in Jigawa state and their fees, many Jigawa candidates simply apply to the state’s federal and state universities — which offer a far cheaper route to a Nigerian degree than private schools anywhere in the country.
| University | Type | Est. Fees (₦/session) | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal University, Dutse (FUD) | Federal | 70,000 – 135,500 | 2011 |
| Federal University of Technology, Babura | Federal | Check portal | Recently established |
| Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa | State | 60,000 – 110,000 | 2013 |
| Khadija University, Majia (state-transitioning) | State (new) | Reduced post-acquisition | 2014 → 2024 acquired |
Federal University Dutse carries strong academic rankings, while Sule Lamido University is actively growing its faculty base. Both offer Medicine, Engineering, Sciences, and Social Sciences at fees below ₦150,000 per session — dramatically less than any private university in Nigeria.
Nearby Private Universities for Jigawa Candidates
If a private university is still the goal, Jigawa students typically look across state lines. Here are the closest NUC-accredited private options beyond the current list of private universities in Jigawa state and their fees, with estimated annual fees.
| Private University | State | Est. Fees (₦/session) | Travel Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skyline University Nigeria | Kano | 675,000 – 2,700,000 | ~2 hours from Dutse |
| Maryam Abacha American University | Kano | 700,000 – 2,500,000 | ~2 hours |
| Capital City University | Kano | 600,000 – 1,500,000 | ~2 hours |
| Al-Qalam University | Katsina | 130,000 – 350,000 | ~3 hours |
| Rayhaan University | Kebbi | Check portal | ~5 hours |
| North Eastern University | Gombe | Check portal | ~4 hours |
| Al-Istiqama University | Kano | Check portal | ~2 hours |
Al-Qalam University, Katsina stands out as the most affordable established private option in the north, with tuition well below ₦400,000 per session. Skyline University Kano delivers premium international-style education at higher cost. Always confirm fees on each institution’s official portal before applying.
How to Apply to Nearby Private Universities
Until the private universities in Jigawa state and their fees list expands again, cross-state admission is the practical route. Here’s the standard process:
- Register for JAMB UTME and list the target out-of-state private university as first or second choice
- Meet the university’s JAMB cut-off (140–180 for most non-competitive courses)
- Hold five O’Level credits including English and Mathematics (WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB)
- Pay the admission form fee on the target school’s official portal
- Attend post-UTME screening where required
- Accept the admission offer and pay the acceptance fee within the stated window
- Plan for accommodation — out-of-state study means hostel or private lodging costs
Scam Alert: Extra Caution for Jigawa Candidates
Because the landscape of private universities in Jigawa state and their fees is currently in transition, fraudsters exploit the confusion aggressively. Protect yourself from these common schemes:
- Fake “Khadija University private admission” offers — the institution is no longer private, so any such offer is outdated or fraudulent
- Invented “new private universities in Jigawa” circulating on social media — verify on nuc.edu.ng before paying anything
- Agents claiming to secure admission into Sule Lamido or FUD for cash — these institutions admit strictly through JAMB and CAPS
- Fake acceptance letters on WhatsApp — cross-check directly with the Registrar’s office of the claimed university
- Pre-payment demands for “admission processing” outside official portals — always use jamb.gov.ng and the school’s verified domain
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many private universities are in Jigawa State in 2026? Zero currently operational. The list of private universities in Jigawa state and their fees stands empty as of 2026/2027 — Khadija University Majia, formerly the only private institution, was acquired by the state government in October 2024 and is now transitioning into a state-owned university.
2. Is Khadija University still accepting private students? Khadija University is now under Jigawa State Government ownership. New admissions are being processed under state-university terms, meaning fees and policies differ from the previous private structure. Contact kum.edu.ng directly for current arrangements.
3. What happened to students already admitted under private ownership? The Jigawa State Government’s Technical Committee on the acquisition specifically addressed continuity for enrolled students. Current students continue their programmes under transitional arrangements; the Registrar’s office handles individual queries.
4. Will Jigawa get a new private university soon? Possibly. NUC periodically licenses new private universities across Nigeria, and the list of private universities in Jigawa state and their fees could expand again in future years. Governor Namadi has also mentioned a PPP model for the acquired Khadija campus. Always check nuc.edu.ng for latest approvals.
5. Which is the cheapest university option for Jigawa candidates? Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa typically offers the lowest fees in the state at ₦60,000–₦110,000 per session. Federal University Dutse sits slightly higher at ₦70,000–₦135,500 depending on course.
6. Can Jigawa indigenes get catchment advantage at FUD? Yes. Federal University Dutse operates catchment-area policies that favour Jigawa indigenes alongside candidates from other north-western states. Indigene candidates often clear admission with slightly lower JAMB scores than non-indigenes.
7. What is the nearest private university to Dutse, Jigawa? Skyline University Nigeria in Kano is about two hours away by road, making it the closest established private option. Capital City University and Maryam Abacha American University (both in Kano) are similarly reachable.
8. Are the universities listed in this guide NUC-accredited? Every university mentioned in this article carries active NUC accreditation as of early 2026. Always verify the specific programme accreditation on nuc.edu.ng before enrolling — individual courses can lose or gain accreditation between institutional reviews.
Final Thoughts
The honest story of private universities in Jigawa state and their fees in 2026/2027 centres on one big transition — Khadija University moved from private to state ownership, leaving the state temporarily without a privately-owned institution. That situation could change in future sessions as NUC processes new licences.
For now, Jigawa candidates have two strong paths — the affordable federal and state universities within Jigawa itself, or nearby private options in Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, and Gombe. The evolving landscape of private universities in Jigawa state and their fees deserves careful monitoring. Verify every institution on the NUC website, confirm fees through official portals, and apply through JAMB CAPS. Your admission is earned through preparation — not through agents or shortcuts.