The Federal University of Technology, Akure runs its Computer Science programme under the School of Computing, one of the university’s most sought-after departments given the growing demand for technology-related skills in Nigeria. As a federal university, FUTA does not charge tuition to Nigerian undergraduates, including Computer Science students. What students pay instead is a consolidated school charge covering academic services such as laboratory access, ICT infrastructure, examinations, library use, and other mandatory institutional fees. This charge applies at a flat rate across the university’s departments, meaning Computer Science students pay the same general school fee as students in Mass Communication, Mathematics, or Medicine and Surgery, since FUTA does not operate a course-specific tuition model.
For the 2026/2027 academic session, prospective and continuing Computer Science students should work with the most recently verified fee schedule, since the university had not released a distinctly new undergraduate schedule at the time of this guide, and the 2025/2026 figures remain the strongest available planning reference.
FUTA’s Flat-Rate Fee Structure Explained
A key detail every FUTA applicant needs to understand is that the university does not price courses individually. Instead of Computer Science attracting a different fee from, say, Civil Engineering or Biology, FUTA applies one general school charge to all departments, with the only variation coming from the student’s level of study (fresh versus returning) rather than the specific course. Because of this, the amount payable by a Computer Science fresher is identical to what a fresher in any other department pays in a given session, aside from occasional department-specific charges such as field trips, professional accreditation dues, or specialized levies that apply only to particular schools like Medicine or Estate Management.
FUTA School Fees for Computer Science: Fresh Students
Newly admitted Computer Science students, classified as 100 Level students, pay the highest total among all levels at FUTA. This is not because Computer Science itself is more expensive, but because fresh students absorb several one-time onboarding charges that returning students do not pay again in subsequent sessions. These one-off items include certificate verification, development levy, and municipal charges, all of which are bundled into the fresher’s total.
Based on the most recently verified schedule, fresh Computer Science students at FUTA pay a total of ₦258,000 for the 2026/2027 session. This figure covers the mandatory academic service charges applicable at the point of entry and excludes the acceptance fee and application fee, both of which are paid separately before a candidate’s admission is fully processed.
FUTA School Fees for Computer Science: Returning Students
Once a Computer Science student progresses beyond the first year, the total amount payable drops significantly, since the one-time entry charges no longer apply and tuition itself remains free. The verified school fees for returning Computer Science students at FUTA follow this pattern across levels:
| Level | Estimated School Fee (Per Session) |
|---|---|
| 100 Level (Fresh students) | ₦258,000 |
| 200 Level | ₦80,000 |
| 300 Level | ₦80,500 |
| 400 Level | ₦68,000 |
| 500 Level (where applicable) | ₦75,000 |
These figures represent the general schedule of charges applicable across most undergraduate departments at FUTA, including Computer Science. Students should note that departments with additional practical, laboratory, or accreditation-related requirements may see slightly different totals in specific sessions, so confirming the exact invoice through the student portal remains the most reliable step before payment.
Acceptance Fee and Application Fee
Before a newly admitted Computer Science student proceeds to pay the main school fee, two separate charges apply at the point of securing admission.
The acceptance fee is a mandatory, non-refundable payment confirming that the candidate accepts the offer of admission and intends to enroll. For the 2025/2026 cycle, this fee was set at ₦50,000, and candidates should expect a similar figure for the 2026/2027 session unless the university announces a revision. This fee must be paid within the timeline stated on the admission notice, since failure to do so risks forfeiture of the admission offer entirely.
The application fee, separate from the acceptance fee, is set at ₦20,000 and is also non-refundable. This fee is typically paid earlier in the admission process, often at the point of screening or registration, before a candidate’s name appears on the final admission list.
Both charges are distinct from the school fees described earlier and must be settled independently on the university’s designated payment portal.
Why Tuition Is Free but Total Costs Still Apply
FUTA, like most Nigerian federal universities, operates under the government policy of tuition-free undergraduate education for Nigerian citizens. This means Computer Science students do not pay a fee labeled strictly as “tuition.” However, this does not mean university attendance is free of charge altogether. The school fee that Computer Science students pay each session functions as a consolidated charge covering laboratory consumables, ICT service maintenance, examination administration, library access, student union dues, and other operational costs the university incurs in running academic programmes. This distinction is important for students and parents budgeting for the session, since the absence of “tuition” in the strict sense does not translate to a zero-cost experience.
Additional Charges That May Apply to Computer Science Students
Beyond the general school fee schedule, certain circumstances can introduce additional costs for Computer Science students at FUTA:
- Field trip charges: Applied where the department organizes an academic excursion or industrial visit relevant to the course.
- Professional accreditation fees: While more commonly associated with programmes like Medicine, Medical Laboratory Science, or Public Health, some computing-related accreditation exercises tied to National Universities Commission (NUC) reviews may introduce departmental levies in specific sessions.
- Late payment penalties: Students who fail to complete payment by the university’s stated deadline incur additional charges, and continued non-payment can result in the inability to sit for semester examinations.
- Practical and laboratory materials: While the general ICT fee covers standard computing lab access, students may occasionally need to purchase specific software licenses, flash drives, or project-related materials not covered under the university’s standard charges.
How Computer Science Students Pay FUTA School Fees
FUTA processes school fees, acceptance fees, and application fees through its official online student portal. The general steps students follow are:
- Log in to the student portal using the matriculation number or JAMB registration number issued at the point of admission.
- Generate the appropriate invoice for the specific fee type (acceptance fee, application fee, or school fee) applicable to the current session and level.
- Complete payment through the designated bank channels linked to the portal or via approved point-of-sale (POS) terminals available around Akure metropolis for candidates who prefer to pay using their ATM cards.
- Retain proof of payment, typically a payment slip or portal confirmation, as evidence for registration and course enrollment.
Payments made through POS terminals around the university area still require confirmation through the official portal to ensure the transaction reflects correctly against the student’s academic record.
Consequences of Late Payment
FUTA applies clear penalties for students who miss the stipulated payment deadlines for school fees. These consequences include additional financial charges layered onto the outstanding balance, ineligibility to sit for semester examinations until payment is completed, and in more serious or prolonged cases, forfeiture of the admission offer for fresh students who fail to meet the acceptance fee deadline. Computer Science students, like all other FUTA students, are strongly advised to complete their payments as early as possible within the announced timeline to avoid disruption to their academic registration and examination eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is FUTA school fees for Computer Science in 2026/2027?
Fresh Computer Science students pay a total of ₦258,000 for the 2026/2027 session, while returning students pay considerably less, ranging from approximately ₦68,000 to ₦80,500 depending on their level of study.
Does FUTA charge Computer Science students more than other departments?
No. FUTA applies a flat-rate school fee structure across most undergraduate departments, so Computer Science students generally pay the same amount as students in other faculties, aside from occasional department-specific charges that apply to a small number of specialized programmes.
Is tuition really free for Computer Science students at FUTA?
Yes, in the strict sense. As a federal university, FUTA does not charge tuition to Nigerian undergraduate students. However, students still pay a consolidated school fee covering laboratory, ICT, examination, and other academic service charges each session.
Are the acceptance fee and application fee included in the Computer Science school fee?
No. The acceptance fee (₦50,000) and application fee (₦20,000) are paid separately from the main school fee and apply specifically to newly admitted students during the admission confirmation process.
What happens if a Computer Science student pays school fees late?
Late payment attracts additional penalty charges and can result in the student being unable to sit for semester examinations. Fresh students who miss the acceptance fee deadline risk losing their admission offer entirely.