Studying in Nigeria

What a year costs

Tuition. Nigeria publishes no national fee for international students; each university sets its own. The NUC confirmed in February 2024 that "only foreigners studying in universities in the country pay tuition in dollar", so expect a dollar fee schedule from public universities and a separate (often naira or dollar) schedule from private ones. Ask the university's international office for the current schedule in writing before you pay.

Living costs. No university or government body we checked publishes an official monthly budget for students. Costs in Lagos and Abuja are far higher than in university towns such as Nsukka, Zaria or Ile-Ife. University hostels, where offered to foreign students, are the cheapest option.

The residence card. Budget for the CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card): the Immigration Service lists USD 600 for students.

The visa

The student visa is the R7A Student Visa, a Temporary Residence Visa. According to the Nigeria Immigration Service, you need:

• a passport valid for at least six months, and a photo
• an admission letter from an accredited Nigerian educational institution
• proof of payment of the required minimum tuition fee, by you or a sponsor, with a statement
• evidence of funds: a six-month bank statement or proof of sponsorship
• a letter from the institution accepting immigration responsibility for you

The visa is valid for 90 days from issue (the time you have to enter), and on arrival it is regularised into a two-year renewable permit. The Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 lists the Temporary Residence Visa with a 90-day validity and a stay of 730 days.

The fee depends on your nationality and is paid online when you apply. Then, in Nigeria, you apply for the CERPAC, the residence card for foreigners staying a year or more; students are an eligible category.

Working while you study

There is no general right to work on a student visa and no weekly limit is published. The Immigration Service's R7A page says students are "permitted for employment subject to approval": any job needs permission first. Plan your budget without earnings.

After you graduate

Nigeria has no post-study work visa. The Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 lists no graduate category; to stay and work you need an employment visa, which an employer applies for. In practice most graduates leave and apply from home if they have a job offer.

Language

University teaching is in English, Nigeria's official language. Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo are widely spoken in the north, south-west and south-east; a few phrases help in daily life.

When to apply

Nigerian universities set their own calendars and sessions do not all start at the same time. Apply directly to the university's admissions or international office, which must then send the R7A application to the Immigration Service. Leave time for that step: the visa cannot be issued until the institution has accepted immigration responsibility for you.

What to watch out for

Check accreditation. Your admission must come from an accredited institution; the NUC publishes the list of approved universities. Check yours before you pay.

Pay tuition to the university, not to a person. The visa needs proof of payment, so pay into the university's own account and keep the receipt and statement.

Register for the CERPAC. Staying a year or more without the residence card is not allowed.

Where these numbers come from

Rules change, sometimes at short notice. Check the official source before you rely on any figure. No official tuition table for foreign students or living-cost budget was published in a form we could verify.