The University of Lagos Distance Learning Institute (DLI) is one of the most flexible and affordable pathways to earning a degree from a first-generation Nigerian university. If you are a working professional, a stay-at-home parent, or anyone who cannot attend full-time classes, understanding UNILAG DLI courses and fee is crucial before you apply for the 2026/2027 academic session.
UNILAG DLI runs lectures exclusively on Saturdays, making it ideal for people who work during the week. The programme awards the same B.Sc and B.Ed degrees as the full-time programme, and graduates receive certificates from the University of Lagos without any distinction indicating distance learning. This guide provides a complete breakdown of UNILAG DLI courses and fee so you can plan your finances and choose the right programme with confidence.
What Is UNILAG DLI?
The Distance Learning Institute (DLI) is a unit of the University of Lagos that provides open and distance learning education. It allows students to obtain recognized university degrees through a weekend-based study system. Classes hold at the UNILAG Akoka campus in Lagos, typically on Saturdays (sometimes two or three Saturdays per month). The DLI programme runs for five years for candidates entering at 100 Level, and three to four years for direct entry candidates joining at 200 or 300 Level.
The institute currently offers programmes in two main categories: Social/Management Sciences and Education Sciences. This is what makes UNILAG DLI courses and fee particularly important—knowing which category your desired course falls under helps you estimate total costs and plan accordingly.
Why Choose UNILAG DLI?
When you compare UNILAG DLI courses and fee with what private universities charge for similar programmes, UNILAG DLI stands out as exceptional value. Here are the key advantages:
The degree certificate carries the full weight and prestige of the University of Lagos. There is no separate branding or label indicating distance learning on your certificate. Lectures hold only on Saturdays, so you can maintain your job or business throughout your studies. No JAMB exam is required for admission, removing one of the biggest barriers to university entry in Nigeria. And the fees are significantly lower than what most private universities in Lagos charge for a single session.
List of Courses Offered at UNILAG DLI
Before we get into fees, let us look at the full list of courses available. This is a core part of understanding UNILAG DLI courses and fee for the 2026/2027 session. The programmes currently available at UNILAG DLI include:
Social and Management Sciences
B.Sc. Accounting, B.Sc. Business Administration, B.Sc. Economics, B.Sc. Public Administration, and B.Sc. Finance. These five programmes focus on business, management, and economic principles. They are the most popular DLI courses and attract the highest number of applicants each session.
Education Sciences
B.Sc. (Ed.) Biology, B.Sc. (Ed.) Chemistry, B.Sc. (Ed.) Physics, B.Sc. (Ed.) Mathematics, B.Sc. (Ed.) Economics, B.Ed. Early Childhood Education, B.Ed. Educational Management, B.Ed. Guidance and Counselling, B.Sc. (Ed.) Business Studies, and B.A. (Ed.) English. Education programmes run for two to five years depending on your entry qualifications.
UNILAG DLI Courses and Their Estimated Fees
The table below is a detailed breakdown of UNILAG DLI courses and fee across all 15 programmes for every year level, including Direct Entry. Fees are estimated based on the most recent session and may vary slightly. Always confirm on the official UNILAG portal.
| S/N | DLI Course | Year / Level | Est. Fee / Session |
| 1 | B.Sc. Accounting | Year 1 (100L) | ₦120,000 |
| 2 | B.Sc. Accounting | Year 2 (200L) | ₦110,000 |
| 3 | B.Sc. Accounting | Year 3 (300L) | ₦110,000 |
| 4 | B.Sc. Accounting | Year 4 (400L) | ₦115,000 |
| 5 | B.Sc. Accounting | Year 5 (500L – Final) | ₦120,000 |
| 6 | B.Sc. Accounting | DE Entry (200L) | ₦120,000 |
| 7 | B.Sc. Business Administration | Year 1 (100L) | ₦120,000 |
| 8 | B.Sc. Business Administration | Year 2 (200L) | ₦110,000 |
| 9 | B.Sc. Business Administration | Year 3 (300L) | ₦110,000 |
| 10 | B.Sc. Business Administration | Year 4 (400L) | ₦115,000 |
| 11 | B.Sc. Business Administration | Year 5 (500L – Final) | ₦120,000 |
| 12 | B.Sc. Business Administration | DE Entry (200L) | ₦120,000 |
| 13 | B.Sc. Economics | Year 1 (100L) | ₦120,000 |
| 14 | B.Sc. Economics | Year 2 (200L) | ₦110,000 |
| 15 | B.Sc. Economics | Year 3 (300L) | ₦110,000 |
| 16 | B.Sc. Economics | Year 4 (400L) | ₦115,000 |
| 17 | B.Sc. Economics | Year 5 (500L – Final) | ₦120,000 |
| 18 | B.Sc. Economics | DE Entry (200L) | ₦120,000 |
| 19 | B.Sc. Public Administration | Year 1 (100L) | ₦120,000 |
| 20 | B.Sc. Public Administration | Year 2 (200L) | ₦110,000 |
| 21 | B.Sc. Public Administration | Year 3 (300L) | ₦110,000 |
| 22 | B.Sc. Public Administration | Year 4 (400L) | ₦115,000 |
| 23 | B.Sc. Public Administration | Year 5 (500L – Final) | ₦120,000 |
| 24 | B.Sc. Public Administration | DE Entry (200L) | ₦120,000 |
| 25 | B.Sc. Finance | Year 1 (100L) | ₦120,000 |
| 26 | B.Sc. Finance | Year 2 (200L) | ₦110,000 |
| 27 | B.Sc. Finance | Year 3 (300L) | ₦110,000 |
| 28 | B.Sc. Finance | Year 4 (400L) | ₦115,000 |
| 29 | B.Sc. Finance | Year 5 (500L – Final) | ₦120,000 |
| 30 | B.Sc. Finance | DE Entry (200L) | ₦120,000 |
| 31 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Biology | Year 1 (100L) | ₦115,000 |
| 32 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Biology | Year 2 (200L) | ₦105,000 |
| 33 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Biology | Year 3 (300L) | ₦105,000 |
| 34 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Biology | Year 4 (400L) | ₦110,000 |
| 35 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Biology | Year 5 (500L – Final) | ₦115,000 |
| 36 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Biology | DE Entry (200L) | ₦115,000 |
| 37 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Chemistry | Year 1 (100L) | ₦115,000 |
| 38 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Chemistry | Year 2 (200L) | ₦105,000 |
| 39 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Chemistry | Year 3 (300L) | ₦105,000 |
| 40 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Chemistry | Year 4 (400L) | ₦110,000 |
| 41 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Chemistry | Year 5 (500L – Final) | ₦115,000 |
| 42 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Chemistry | DE Entry (200L) | ₦115,000 |
| 43 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Physics | Year 1 (100L) | ₦115,000 |
| 44 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Physics | Year 2 (200L) | ₦105,000 |
| 45 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Physics | Year 3 (300L) | ₦105,000 |
| 46 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Physics | Year 4 (400L) | ₦110,000 |
| 47 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Physics | Year 5 (500L – Final) | ₦115,000 |
| 48 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Physics | DE Entry (200L) | ₦115,000 |
| 49 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Mathematics | Year 1 (100L) | ₦115,000 |
| 50 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Mathematics | Year 2 (200L) | ₦105,000 |
| 51 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Mathematics | Year 3 (300L) | ₦105,000 |
| 52 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Mathematics | Year 4 (400L) | ₦110,000 |
| 53 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Mathematics | Year 5 (500L – Final) | ₦115,000 |
| 54 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Mathematics | DE Entry (200L) | ₦115,000 |
| 55 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Economics | Year 1 (100L) | ₦115,000 |
| 56 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Economics | Year 2 (200L) | ₦105,000 |
| 57 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Economics | Year 3 (300L) | ₦105,000 |
| 58 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Economics | Year 4 (400L) | ₦110,000 |
| 59 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Economics | Year 5 (500L – Final) | ₦115,000 |
| 60 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Economics | DE Entry (200L) | ₦115,000 |
| 61 | B.Ed. Early Childhood Education | Year 1 (100L) | ₦110,000 |
| 62 | B.Ed. Early Childhood Education | Year 2 (200L) | ₦100,000 |
| 63 | B.Ed. Early Childhood Education | Year 3 (300L) | ₦100,000 |
| 64 | B.Ed. Early Childhood Education | Year 4 (400L) | ₦105,000 |
| 65 | B.Ed. Early Childhood Education | Year 5 (500L – Final) | ₦110,000 |
| 66 | B.Ed. Early Childhood Education | DE Entry (200L) | ₦110,000 |
| 67 | B.Ed. Educational Management | Year 1 (100L) | ₦110,000 |
| 68 | B.Ed. Educational Management | Year 2 (200L) | ₦100,000 |
| 69 | B.Ed. Educational Management | Year 3 (300L) | ₦100,000 |
| 70 | B.Ed. Educational Management | Year 4 (400L) | ₦105,000 |
| 71 | B.Ed. Educational Management | Year 5 (500L – Final) | ₦110,000 |
| 72 | B.Ed. Educational Management | DE Entry (200L) | ₦110,000 |
| 73 | B.Ed. Guidance and Counselling | Year 1 (100L) | ₦110,000 |
| 74 | B.Ed. Guidance and Counselling | Year 2 (200L) | ₦100,000 |
| 75 | B.Ed. Guidance and Counselling | Year 3 (300L) | ₦100,000 |
| 76 | B.Ed. Guidance and Counselling | Year 4 (400L) | ₦105,000 |
| 77 | B.Ed. Guidance and Counselling | Year 5 (500L – Final) | ₦110,000 |
| 78 | B.Ed. Guidance and Counselling | DE Entry (200L) | ₦110,000 |
| 79 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Business Studies | Year 1 (100L) | ₦115,000 |
| 80 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Business Studies | Year 2 (200L) | ₦105,000 |
| 81 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Business Studies | Year 3 (300L) | ₦105,000 |
| 82 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Business Studies | Year 4 (400L) | ₦110,000 |
| 83 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Business Studies | Year 5 (500L – Final) | ₦115,000 |
| 84 | B.Sc. (Ed.) Business Studies | DE Entry (200L) | ₦115,000 |
| 85 | B.A. (Ed.) English | Year 1 (100L) | ₦110,000 |
| 86 | B.A. (Ed.) English | Year 2 (200L) | ₦100,000 |
| 87 | B.A. (Ed.) English | Year 3 (300L) | ₦100,000 |
| 88 | B.A. (Ed.) English | Year 4 (400L) | ₦105,000 |
| 89 | B.A. (Ed.) English | Year 5 (500L – Final) | ₦110,000 |
| 90 | B.A. (Ed.) English | DE Entry (200L) | ₦110,000 |
Note: Fees above are estimated tuition per session. Additional costs such as acceptance fee (₦50,000), course materials, and JAMB registration (₦3,500) are not included. Confirm the latest schedule on applications.unilag.edu.ng.
UNILAG DLI Fee Structure Explained
A key part of understanding UNILAG DLI courses and fee is knowing what the total financial commitment looks like. DLI fees are paid yearly (per session), not per semester. There is no installment payment option currently available. Here is what the fees typically cover:
Tuition and course registration fees make up the bulk of what you pay each session. For Social/Management Science courses (Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Public Administration), fresh students pay approximately ₦120,000 per session, while returning students pay between ₦100,000 and ₦115,000. Education Science courses are slightly lower, with fresh students paying around ₦110,000 to ₦115,000 per session.
Beyond tuition, you should also budget for the acceptance fee of approximately ₦50,000, which you pay once upon gaining admission. The JAMB registration fee is ₦3,500, and the UNILAG DLI application form costs ₦20,000. Over five years, the total cost of completing a programme based on current UNILAG DLI courses and fee is roughly ₦575,000 to ₦625,000 in tuition alone, making it one of the most affordable degree options in Lagos.
Admission Requirements for UNILAG DLI
Understanding UNILAG DLI courses and fee is incomplete without knowing the admission criteria. Here are the key requirements:
For 100 Level entry, you need a minimum of five O’Level credit passes including English Language and Mathematics. Results from WAEC, NECO, or GCE are accepted, and you can combine two sittings. There is no UTME (JAMB exam) required for DLI admission—this is one of the programme’s biggest advantages. You must, however, register on the JAMB CAPS portal and obtain a JAMB registration number by paying ₦3,500.
For Direct Entry into 200 or 300 Level, candidates with NCE, OND, HND, JUPEB, IJMB, or A’Level qualifications in related subjects are eligible. HND holders typically enter at 300 Level, while OND and NCE holders join at 200 Level. Applicants must be at least 16 years old by the application deadline.
How to Apply for UNILAG DLI Admission
Now that you know the UNILAG DLI courses and fee, here is how to apply for the 2026/2027 session:
First, register on the JAMB CAPS website and pay ₦3,500 to obtain your registration number. Next, visit the UNILAG application portal at applications.unilag.edu.ng and click “Start Fresh Application.” Select “Distance Learning Institute” as your application type and fill in your details including your JAMB number, phone number, and email address. Pay the ₦20,000 application fee online or via Remita at any commercial bank.
After payment, return to the portal and click “Continue Application.” Enter your payment reference number and your surname (in lowercase) as your password. Complete all required fields, upload your documents (O’Level results, passport photograph, and any higher qualifications), submit the form, and print a copy for your records. The application deadline is typically December 31st of the application year.
UNILAG DLI Lecture Schedule and Duration
Another practical detail within UNILAG DLI courses and fee is the lecture arrangement. All DLI classes take place on the main UNILAG campus at Akoka, Yaba, Lagos. Lectures hold on Saturdays only, sometimes two or three Saturdays in a month depending on the academic calendar. The programme duration is five years for 100 Level entrants and three to four years for Direct Entry students.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there an entrance exam for UNILAG DLI?
No. UNILAG DLI does not require a UTME or any entrance examination. Admission is based on your O’Level qualifications and available spaces. You only need to register on the JAMB CAPS portal to obtain a registration number.
Can I pay UNILAG DLI fees in installments?
Currently, the DLI programme does not accept installment payments. Based on current UNILAG DLI courses and fee, all fees must be paid in full per session before you can register for courses and sit for examinations.
Is the UNILAG DLI certificate different from the full-time certificate?
No. The certificate you receive upon graduation is issued by the University of Lagos and carries the same recognition as the full-time degree. There is no separate marking or indication that you studied through the DLI programme.
How much is the UNILAG DLI application form?
The application form costs ₦20,000 (excluding bank charges). You also need to pay ₦3,500 for JAMB CAPS registration. Upon admission, the acceptance fee is approximately ₦50,000.
Can two O’Level sittings be combined?
Yes. UNILAG DLI accepts a combination of two sittings from WAEC, NECO, or GCE. You can combine WAEC and NECO, or two WAEC results, or two NECO results. This flexibility is part of why UNILAG DLI courses and fee attract so many applicants.
What is the age requirement for UNILAG DLI?
Applicants must be at least 16 years old by the application deadline (typically October 31st of the admission year).
Conclusion
The UNILAG Distance Learning Institute offers one of the most accessible and affordable routes to earning a recognized university degree in Nigeria. With 15 programmes across Social Sciences and Education, Saturday-only lectures, and no entrance examination, it is built for working professionals and anyone who needs flexibility in their studies. This complete guide on UNILAG DLI courses and fee for the 2026/2027 session gives you everything you need to make an informed decision.
For the latest updates on UNILAG DLI courses and fee, visit the official UNILAG DLI website at dli.unilag.edu.ng or the application portal at applications.unilag.edu.ng. Start your application early, prepare your documents, and take the first step toward your degree. Good luck!