AbdulEngineering is one of the most respected — and also one of the most demanding — courses in Nigerian universities. From long practical hours to complex laboratory sessions and field projects, studying Engineering requires not just mental dedication but also significant financial investment.
As we approach the 2025 academic session, many parents and students are asking:
“Why do Engineering students pay more than others?”
“What are these special levies all about?”
“How much should I expect to pay for tuition and hostel accommodation?”
This article answers all those questions and more, giving you a complete breakdown of Engineering students’ special levies, tuition, and hostel fees across Nigerian universities in 2025.
Why Engineering Students Pay Higher Fees
Before diving into the actual figures, it’s important to understand why Engineering students are billed differently from those in other faculties.
Here are the main reasons:
1. Practical and Laboratory Expenses
Engineering courses are heavily practical. Students use machines, lab equipment, and workshop tools that require maintenance and calibration.
Each lab session consumes materials like soldering wires, cables, components, and fuels — all of which cost money.
2. Accreditation and Equipment Maintenance
For an Engineering faculty to stay accredited by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the university must maintain up-to-date labs and equipment.
This means universities constantly spend on modernization and safety compliance — costs that reflect in student levies.
Read Also: School Fees for Returning Students vs Freshers in Nigerian Universities 2025 (Differences Explained)
3. Project and Field Work Requirements
Engineering students often carry out technical projects, excursions, and industrial training (SIWES). Universities sometimes include a “practical levy” or “project support fee” to cover logistics for these experiences.
4. Specialized ICT and Workshop Fees
Modern Engineering relies on software such as AutoCAD, MATLAB, SolidWorks, and ANSYS. Access to these requires licensed versions — hence ICT or software access fees are charged.
Breakdown of Fees for Engineering Students in Nigerian Universities (2025)
Let’s look at the estimated costs for Engineering students across federal, state, and private universities in 2025.
1. Federal Universities
Federal universities remain the most affordable in Nigeria, even after recent adjustments.
| University | Tuition | Special Levies | Hostel Fees | Total (Approx.) |
| University of Lagos (UNILAG) | ₦150,000 – ₦180,000 | ₦25,000 – ₦45,000 | ₦50,000 – ₦80,000 | ₦230,000 – ₦300,000 |
| University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) | ₦130,000 – ₦160,000 | ₦20,000 – ₦40,000 | ₦40,000 – ₦60,000 | ₦190,000 – ₦260,000 |
| Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) | ₦140,000 – ₦180,000 | ₦30,000 – ₦50,000 | ₦45,000 – ₦70,000 | ₦215,000 – ₦300,000 |
| Ahmadu Bello University (ABU Zaria) | ₦120,000 – ₦150,000 | ₦20,000 – ₦35,000 | ₦35,000 – ₦55,000 | ₦175,000 – ₦240,000 |
Federal universities charge modest tuition, but their special levies (like lab fees, faculty dues, and maintenance charges) add significantly to total costs.
2. State Universities
State universities have slightly higher charges due to limited federal subsidies and higher operational costs.
| University | Tuition | Special Levies | Hostel Fees | Total (Approx.) |
| Lagos State University (LASU) | ₦180,000 – ₦230,000 | ₦30,000 – ₦60,000 | ₦70,000 – ₦100,000 | ₦280,000 – ₦390,000 |
| Ekiti State University (EKSU) | ₦160,000 – ₦200,000 | ₦25,000 – ₦50,000 | ₦50,000 – ₦80,000 | ₦235,000 – ₦330,000 |
| Kwara State University (KWASU) | ₦180,000 – ₦220,000 | ₦25,000 – ₦45,000 | ₦60,000 – ₦90,000 | ₦265,000 – ₦350,000 |
| Delta State University (DELSU) | ₦150,000 – ₦200,000 | ₦20,000 – ₦40,000 | ₦45,000 – ₦70,000 | ₦215,000 – ₦310,000 |
Most state universities include Engineering Development Levies or Workshop Maintenance Fees in their overall billing.
3. Private Universities
Private universities offer world-class Engineering programs — but at a much higher cost.
| University | Tuition | Special Levies | Hostel Fees | Total (Approx.) |
| Covenant University | ₦900,000 – ₦1,200,000 | ₦70,000 – ₦150,000 | ₦300,000 – ₦400,000 | ₦1.3M – ₦1.7M |
| Babcock University | ₦850,000 – ₦1,100,000 | ₦50,000 – ₦100,000 | ₦250,000 – ₦350,000 | ₦1.1M – ₦1.5M |
| Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) | ₦1,000,000 – ₦1,400,000 | ₦80,000 – ₦150,000 | ₦300,000 – ₦450,000 | ₦1.4M – ₦2.0M |
| Landmark University | ₦850,000 – ₦1,000,000 | ₦50,000 – ₦100,000 | ₦250,000 – ₦350,000 | ₦1.1M – ₦1.4M |
While expensive, private universities often provide state-of-the-art labs, air-conditioned workshops, and fully furnished hostels that justify the cost.
Detailed Explanation of the Fees
Let’s break down what each major charge covers — so students and parents understand where every naira goes.
1. Tuition Fees
This covers the main academic cost — lectures, assessments, and access to the university’s teaching resources. For Engineering students, tuition is slightly higher because the programs demand both theoretical and technical instruction.
🔧 2. Special Levies (Engineering-Specific Fees)
This is where the major difference lies. Common levies include:
- Laboratory Fees: For use of departmental labs and workshops.
- Workshop Maintenance Fees: To repair or replace damaged equipment.
- Software and ICT Fees: To maintain access to essential Engineering software.
- SIWES/Industrial Training Levy: Covers supervision and coordination of students’ industrial attachments.
- Faculty/Departmental Dues: Contributions to faculty operations and student associations.
- Project Levy: For final-year project supervision, materials, and exhibitions.
Together, these can range from ₦20,000 to ₦150,000 annually, depending on the university.
🏠 3. Hostel Fees
Hostel accommodation varies by university type:
- Federal hostels: ₦30,000 – ₦80,000 per session.
- State hostels: ₦50,000 – ₦100,000 per session.
- Private hostels: ₦200,000 – ₦450,000 per session.
Some Engineering faculties provide faculty-based hostels, especially for students involved in late lab or workshop work.
Real-Life Perspective: Why These Fees Matter
For a course as hands-on as Engineering, fees directly affect the quality of learning and training students receive.
Well-funded faculties can afford:
- Functional laboratories with modern machines.
- Proper workshop safety tools.
- Effective supervision during SIWES and final-year projects.
Conversely, underfunded Engineering departments often struggle with obsolete tools and overcrowded workshops — which can impact students’ readiness for real-world challenges.
Comparison Across Engineering Faculties (Tuition + Levies)
| Field of Engineering | Estimated Annual Cost (Federal) | Estimated Annual Cost (State) | Estimated Annual Cost (Private) |
| Civil Engineering | ₦200,000 – ₦280,000 | ₦250,000 – ₦350,000 | ₦1.2M – ₦1.5M |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering | ₦220,000 – ₦300,000 | ₦270,000 – ₦380,000 | ₦1.3M – ₦1.6M |
| Mechanical Engineering | ₦210,000 – ₦290,000 | ₦260,000 – ₦360,000 | ₦1.2M – ₦1.7M |
| Computer Engineering | ₦200,000 – ₦280,000 | ₦250,000 – ₦340,000 | ₦1.1M – ₦1.4M |
| Chemical Engineering | ₦230,000 – ₦310,000 | ₦270,000 – ₦380,000 | ₦1.3M – ₦1.6M |
These figures show that Engineering remains one of the top five most expensive courses in Nigeria, primarily due to its technical nature.
Students’ Voices: The Reality on Campuses
Across Nigerian universities, Engineering students often joke that their faculty is a “mini nation of stress and expenses.”
But behind the humor lies truth — between project materials, levies, and hostel payments, Engineering students face some of the highest financial responsibilities.
“By the time you pay departmental levies, project support, and buy tools for workshop practice, you realize Engineering is not for the faint-hearted,” says Tosin Adebayo, a 400-level Mechanical Engineering student at UNILORIN.
“We pay more, but we also learn more. It’s a sacrifice that pays off after graduation,” adds Chinaza Okorie, an Electrical Engineering student at UNN.
Tips for Engineering Students and Parents (2025 Academic Year)
- ✅ Budget beyond tuition. Always include special levies and project fees in your financial plan.
- ✅ Apply for scholarships. Many state governments and private organizations offer bursaries for Engineering students.
- ✅ Explore on-campus accommodation early. Hostels fill up fast — especially for Engineering students who prefer proximity to labs.
- ✅ Take care of equipment. Misuse often leads to higher maintenance levies the following session.
- ✅ Keep receipts. Universities occasionally audit payments — always have proof.
Final Thoughts
Engineering is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding career paths, but it comes with higher academic and financial demands.
In 2025, Engineering students in Nigerian universities can expect to pay between ₦200,000 and ₦400,000 in public universities and up to ₦2 million in private ones — covering tuition, special levies, and hostel fees.
While these costs may seem high, they reflect the realities of running technically intensive programs that prepare students to design, build, and innovate for the nation’s future.
As Nigeria continues to develop technologically, investing in Engineering education is not just a personal choice — it’s a contribution to the country’s growth and infrastructure advancement.
