If you hold admission offers from both the University of Lagos and the University of Benin, or you simply want to compare the two before applying, cost matters. This guide places the actual charges at both universities side by side so you can see, in real naira terms, which one costs less.
UNIBEN costs less than UNILAG. Both are federal universities with government-subsidised tuition, so neither will bankrupt you, but the gap between them is real and worth knowing before you commit.
Why Neither University Charges Tuition in the Usual Sense
Federal universities in Nigeria do not charge undergraduates a conventional tuition fee. UNILAG and UNIBEN both replace it with a package of compulsory charges that cover registration, examinations, library access, medical services, sports, ICT and similar services. UNILAG calls this package “obligatory fees.” UNIBEN calls it “school charges.” Neither name means the education is free. It means most of what you pay funds services and administration rather than classroom instruction directly.
UNILAG Fee Breakdown
UNILAG lists undergraduate tuition as Nil and charges obligatory fees instead. The amount depends on whether your course uses a laboratory or studio.
New students pay:
- ₦126,325 for courses without a lab or studio
- ₦176,325 for courses with a lab or studio
- Around ₦190,000 for medical and pharmacy-related programmes
Returning students pay:
- ₦100,750 for courses without a lab or studio
- ₦140,250 for courses with a lab or studio
- Around ₦170,250 for medical, pharmacy and health-related programmes
Every undergraduate also pays a utility charge, set between ₦15,000 and ₦20,000 depending on the session. New students pay a one-time toxicology screening fee of ₦10,000. Final-year students pay a convocation fee of roughly ₦27,000 to ₦30,000.
UNIBEN Fee Breakdown
UNIBEN charges noticeably less. Its charges held steady into the 2025/2026 session, with no increase from the previous session.
New students pay:
- Around ₦85,500 for non-science courses
- Around ₦95,500 for science courses
This covers examinations, laboratory fees where relevant, library, sports, ICT, counselling, utility, medical charges, sanitation and development levy in one total. New students pay a few thousand naira more for orientation, certificate screening and academic gown rental, roughly ₦5,000 each.
Returning students pay:
- Around ₦56,500 for non-science courses
- Around ₦60,500 for science courses
A small NUGA charge applies on top: ₦250 for returning students, ₦1,200 for new students. A bank, portal and technology charge of ₦5,000 also applies from the 2024/2025 session to the current session.
Confirm the exact current figure on the university’s own portal before you pay, since charges can still shift session to session.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | UNILAG | UNIBEN |
|---|---|---|
| New students, non-lab courses | ₦126,325 | ~₦85,500 |
| New students, lab or science courses | ₦176,325 | ~₦95,500 |
| Returning students, non-lab courses | ₦100,750 | ~₦56,500 |
| Returning students, lab or science courses | ₦140,250 | ~₦60,500 |
| Medical and health-related programmes | ~₦170,000 to ₦190,000 | Higher acceptance fee tier applies |
| Extra one-time charges for new students | Toxicology screening, ₦10,000 | Orientation, gown, certificate screening, roughly ₦15,000 combined |
UNIBEN costs less in every category above, and the gap widens for lab-based and science courses.
Acceptance Fees and One-Time Charges
UNIBEN charges a one-time acceptance fee of ₦60,000 for most new admits and ₦80,000 for those entering the College of Medical Sciences. UNILAG’s current acceptance fee is harder to pin down with , so check the exact amount on your admission letter or the student portal once you receive an offer.
Costs Beyond School Fees
School charges tell only part of the story. Lagos, where UNILAG sits, costs more for accommodation, transport and feeding than Benin City, where UNIBEN sits. Living off campus in Lagos typically costs more each month than doing the same in Benin City, so the real affordability gap between the two schools runs wider than the fee tables alone show.
Which University Is More Affordable Overall
UNIBEN wins on cost, for new and returning students, across both lab-based and non-lab courses. UNILAG still charges modestly for a federal university, but if cost is your deciding factor, UNIBEN asks for less.
Cost alone shouldn’t decide your choice. The next section covers what else belongs in that decision.
Factors Beyond Fees to Consider
- Course strength. Pay the higher UNILAG fee if the specific department you want is stronger there.
- Admission competitiveness. UNILAG draws heavier competition for many departments, so your JAMB score may open doors more easily at UNIBEN.
- Location and cost of living. Weigh Lagos versus Benin City living costs alongside the school charges.
- Hostel availability. Compare accommodation space and pricing at both schools before you finalise a budget.
- Personal circumstances. Factor in proximity to home, family support and existing networks in either city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UNILAG more expensive than UNIBEN?
Yes. UNILAG’s obligatory fees run higher than UNIBEN’s school charges across every comparable category, for both new and returning students.
Does UNILAG charge tuition?
No. UNILAG lists undergraduate tuition as Nil and charges obligatory fees instead, covering registration, exams, library, ICT and similar services.
Which university costs less for science or lab-based courses?
UNIBEN. Its science-course charges for new and returning students sit well below UNILAG’s lab or studio course charges.
Should fees alone decide which university I choose?
No. Weigh course strength, admission competitiveness, location cost of living and personal circumstances alongside the fee difference.
Conclusion
UNIBEN costs less than UNILAG for new students, returning students, and both science and non-science courses. UNILAG still charges fairly for a federal university, and the gap may matter less once you weigh course strength, admission competitiveness and where you’d rather live for the next four to six years. Treat the fee comparison as one clear data point, confirm the current figures directly with each university before you commit, and decide with the fuller picture in view.