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Private Universities in Nigeria That Offer Medicine and Surgery: Complete Guide 2026 

If you or your child dreams of becoming a doctor in Nigeria but did not secure a spot at a public medical school, or simply wants to avoid the frequent academic calendar disruptions that have affected public universities, you have likely started researching private universities offering Medicine and Surgery. This is one of the most significant financial and academic decisions a Nigerian family can make, and I want to walk you through it with the honesty it deserves, because a medical degree represents years of commitment and, at many of these institutions, a genuinely enormous financial investment.

A necessary note before we begin. Medical school fees at Nigerian private universities are among the highest of any undergraduate program in the country, and reported figures vary considerably between sources and change from session to session. Every figure below reflects the most recent publicly reported ranges at the time of writing. Given how much money is involved, please confirm exact, current fees directly with each university's admissions office before making any financial commitment.

What You Must Know Before Choosing a Private Medical University

1. Accreditation Is Critical

Before anything else, confirm that a university's Medicine and Surgery program holds current accreditation from both the National Universities Commission and, critically, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. Accreditation from the NUC alone is not sufficient for a medical degree to be recognized for professional licensing. Without proper MDCN accreditation, graduates cannot be registered to practice, regardless of how much they have paid or how well they performed academically. This single verification step matters more than any other factor on this list.

2. Duration of Medicine in Nigeria

Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria is typically a six year program, followed by a mandatory one year housemanship after graduation before a doctor can be fully registered to practice independently. This timeline is broadly consistent across both public and private universities, though some direct entry candidates with relevant prior qualifications may be admitted at an advanced level, shortening their overall study duration.

3. Cost of Studying Medicine in Private Universities

This is where private medical education in Nigeria distinguishes itself most sharply from the public alternative. While public university medical programs often cost a few hundred thousand naira per session, private university medical programs commonly range from roughly ₦1 million at the more affordable end up to ₦7 million or more per session at the most expensive institutions. Across a full six year program, this can mean a total tuition investment ranging from several million to well over forty million naira, before accounting for accommodation, feeding, books, and other compulsory charges.

Full List of Private Universities in Nigeria That Offer Medicine and Surgery

Below is a closer look at the private universities most commonly cited as offering accredited Medicine and Surgery programs, along with what current reporting suggests about their fees.

1. Babcock University (Ogun State)

Key Details

Babcock University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution in Ilishan-Remo, was among the earlier private universities to establish a well regarded College of Medicine, supported by its own teaching hospital.

School Fees

Reported figures vary considerably by source and level of study, ranging from approximately ₦3 million at the lower end to as much as ₦7 million per session for later, clinical years, according to recent reporting.

Why Choose Babcock?

Babcock is frequently cited among the strongest private options for Medicine, largely due to its established teaching hospital, disciplined academic environment, and long track record of producing licensed graduates.

2. Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ekiti State

School Fees

ABUAD has been reported charging between approximately ₦6 million and ₦6.95 million per session depending on the student's level, placing it among the most expensive private medical programs in the country.

Key Advantages

ABUAD's large, purpose built teaching hospital is considered one of the more extensive private medical training facilities in West Africa, and the university has invested heavily in modern equipment and international academic partnerships.

3. Igbinedion University, Okada (Edo State)

School Fees

Igbinedion University fees for Medicine and Surgery have been reported across a wide range, from approximately ₦1.2 million to ₦4.5 million per session depending on level, making it comparatively more accessible than some of its private peers.

Why It Stands Out

As the first private university in Nigeria to offer Medicine and Surgery, established in 1999, Igbinedion has the longest track record of any private institution on this list, with decades of licensed graduates.

4. Madonna University (Elele Campus)

School Fees

Madonna University fees for Medicine have been reported in the range of roughly ₦2.8 million to ₦3.8 million per session, positioning it in the middle of the private medical fee spectrum.

Features

Madonna is known for strict academic and moral discipline as a Catholic institution, and it has built a reputation for relative affordability compared to some of the newer, more heavily marketed private medical programs.

5. Bingham University (Nasarawa State)

School Fees

Bingham University has historically been positioned among the more affordable private medical options, though fees have risen in recent years alongside the broader trend across the sector, and current figures should be confirmed directly with the university.

Advantages

As an ECWA affiliated institution, Bingham combines faith based values with a structured medical training program and has built a reputation for relative cost accessibility within the private sector.

6. Bowen University (Osun State)

School Fees

Bowen University Medicine and Surgery fees have been reported anywhere from approximately ₦2 million up to over ₦5 million per session depending on the source and level, reflecting how significantly figures can shift between reporting periods.

Why Choose Bowen?

Bowen, a Baptist affiliated institution, is known for its well regarded teaching hospital in Ogbomoso and a holistic approach to medical training that combines clinical instruction with strong ethical grounding.

7. Nile University (Abuja)

School Fees

Nile University has recently been reported charging approximately ₦7.15 million per session for Medicine and Surgery, placing it among the most expensive private medical programs currently available in Nigeria.

Benefits

Nile University's location in Abuja and its more recently built facilities appeal to families prioritizing modern infrastructure, though the cost places it firmly at the premium end of the private medical education market.

8. Gregory University, Uturu (Abia State)

School Fees

Gregory University has been reported as one of the more cost effective private medical programs, with fees cited in the region of ₦1.2 million to ₦1.25 million per session, considerably below many of its private peers.

9. PAMO University of Medical Sciences (Rivers State)

School Fees

PAMO University, Nigeria's first private university dedicated exclusively to medical and health sciences education, has reported fees generally ranging between ₦2.5 million and ₦4.5 million per session depending on program and level.

Key Advantage

As a specialized medical institution founded on decades of experience from its affiliated hospital group, PAMO offers a curriculum built specifically around clinical training from the outset, rather than medicine being one program among many broader disciplines.

10. Eko University of Medical and Health Sciences (Lagos State)

School Fees

EkoUNIMED, a specialized private medical institution in Ijanikin, Lagos, does not have consistently reported current fee figures across public sources, so prospective applicants should contact the university directly for its current fee schedule.

11. Novena University (Delta State)

School Fees

Current, reliable fee figures specifically for Novena University's Medicine program were not consistently available across public sources at the time of writing, and prospective applicants should verify directly with the university.

12. Lead City University (Ibadan)

School Fees

As with several newer or less widely reported private medical programs, current specific fee figures for Lead City University's Medicine program should be confirmed directly through the university's admissions office.

13. Benson Idahosa University (Benin City)

Benson Idahosa University, a faith based institution in Benin City, offers Medicine and Surgery among its health science programs, though prospective applicants should contact the university directly for current, accredited fee details.

14. EkoUNIMED (Lagos State)

This refers to the same institution noted above as Eko University of Medical and Health Sciences, a dedicated medical university in Lagos State offering Medicine and Surgery alongside related health science programs.

Cheapest Private Universities in Nigeria That Offer Medicine

Based on current reporting, Gregory University and Igbinedion University tend to appear among the more affordable private options, with fees that can fall well below ₦2 million per session for at least part of the program, though this remains substantially higher than public university tuition for the same course.

Most Expensive Private Medical Universities

Nile University and Afe Babalola University currently rank among the most expensive, with reported fees exceeding ₦6 million per session, followed closely by Babcock University and Bowen University at the higher end of their respective reported ranges.

Admission Requirements for Private Universities Offering Medicine

UTME Requirements

Most private universities offering Medicine require a JAMB score in the range of 180 to 200, though this can vary by institution and should always be confirmed against the specific university's current admission notice.

O'Level Requirements

Candidates generally need a minimum of five credits, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in no more than two sittings of WAEC or NECO.

Direct Entry Requirements

Direct entry candidates typically require relevant A Level passes or an equivalent qualification in the required science subjects, in addition to meeting the standard O'Level credit requirements.

Why Choose Private Universities for Medicine?

1. Stable Academic Calendar

Private universities are generally far less prone to the strike related disruptions that have historically affected Nigeria's public university system, which can meaningfully shorten the real world time it takes to complete a six year medical program.

2. Better Learning Environment

Smaller class sizes and, in several cases, dedicated purpose built teaching hospitals allow for closer clinical supervision and more individualized instruction than many overcrowded public medical schools can offer.

3. Higher Admission Chances

Private medical programs generally admit students with somewhat lower JAMB scores than the most competitive public medical schools, provided the family can afford the significantly higher tuition.

Challenges of Private Medical Schools

1. High Cost

The most obvious and significant challenge is cost. Across a full six year program, private medical education can total tens of millions of naira, a sum well beyond what most Nigerian families can comfortably afford without significant financial planning, loans, or sacrifice.

2. Accreditation Issues (in some schools)

Not every private university offering health science programs maintains consistent, current MDCN accreditation for Medicine and Surgery specifically. Always verify accreditation status directly with the MDCN rather than relying solely on a university's own marketing materials.

How to Choose the Best Private University for Medicine

Accreditation

Confirm current NUC and, especially, MDCN accreditation status directly, since this determines whether your eventual degree will actually allow you to practice as a licensed doctor in Nigeria.

Facilities

Investigate whether the university operates its own teaching hospital or has a strong affiliation with one, since hands on clinical exposure is central to genuine medical competence.

Budget

Calculate the full six year cost realistically, including tuition increases that commonly occur year to year, rather than budgeting based only on the first year's published fee.

Location

Consider proximity to family, cost of living in the university's host city, and the strength of the local healthcare ecosystem for clinical exposure and eventual housemanship opportunities.

Career Opportunities After Studying Medicine

Graduates of accredited Medicine and Surgery programs, whether from public or private universities, follow broadly the same professional pathway: a mandatory one year housemanship, National Youth Service Corps placement, and then full registration to practice, whether in clinical medicine, specialization through postgraduate residency training, research, public health, or increasingly, opportunities abroad through international licensing pathways. The specific university attended matters less for eventual career opportunities than genuine competence, licensing, and continued professional development.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which private university is best for Medicine in Nigeria?

Babcock University, Afe Babalola University, and Igbinedion University are frequently cited among the strongest private options, largely due to established teaching hospitals and long track records of producing licensed graduates, though "best" ultimately depends on your specific priorities and budget.

2. What is the cheapest private university for Medicine in Nigeria?

Gregory University and Igbinedion University have generally been reported among the more affordable options, though even these remain significantly more expensive than public university medical programs.

3. How many years is Medicine in private universities?

Medicine and Surgery is typically a six year program in Nigerian private universities, consistent with the standard duration at public universities, followed by a mandatory one year housemanship.

4. Is Medicine accredited in private universities?

Most established private universities offering Medicine and Surgery hold accreditation from both the NUC and the MDCN, but this should always be verified directly and independently rather than assumed, since accreditation status can change.

5. Can I study Medicine without JAMB in private universities?

No. All universities in Nigeria offering Medicine and Surgery, public and private alike, require a valid UTME result as part of the standard admission process, alongside institution specific post-UTME or screening requirements.

Choosing a private university for Medicine and Surgery is ultimately a decision that combines genuine academic aspiration with serious financial planning. The cost gap between public and private medical education in Nigeria is enormous, and no family should commit to this path without a realistic, honest assessment of whether they can sustain the full six year financial commitment, not just the first year's fee. Verify accreditation directly, calculate total cost realistically, and choose an institution whose teaching hospital and clinical training genuinely support the kind of doctor you or your child hopes to become. A medical degree is worth the investment when it leads to real licensure and genuine competence, and that outcome depends far more on diligent verification today than on any single university's reputation alone.