Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, is a private institution in Akwa Ibom State that many prospective students research when comparing options for studying medicine in Nigeria’s private university system. This article explains what the university actually offers in the health sciences space, what its general tuition structure looks like for the 2026/2027 session, and what a candidate interested in Medicine and Surgery needs to confirm before applying.
Does Ritman University Currently Run a Medicine and Surgery Programme?
Based on the university’s accredited course list published through the National Universities Commission (NUC), Ritman University does not currently operate a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS/MBBCh) programme. The university’s accredited departments sit mainly within three faculties: Management and Social Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences, and Humanities. Programmes on the approved list include Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, English Language, History and International Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, and related fields.
This matters because Medicine and Surgery is one of the most tightly regulated programmes in the Nigerian university system. A university must go through a separate, rigorous accreditation process with the NUC and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) before it can admit students into MBBS/MBBCh, build the required teaching hospital or clinical training partnership, and graduate doctors who are eligible for provisional licensing. Many private universities that plan to introduce Medicine and Surgery announce it well before the programme is fully accredited, so it is common to see the course name circulating online before it is actually open for admission.
If you have seen a source advertising “Ritman University Medicine and Surgery” fees, treat that figure with caution until you confirm it directly against the university’s official admissions office or the NUC’s current list of accredited programmes. Nigerian universities update their course offerings from one academic session to the next, so it is possible that a Medicine and Surgery programme could be introduced in a future session even if it is not part of the accredited list at the time of writing. The safest approach is to call the admissions office or check the official Ritman University website before making any payment.
What Ritman University Actually Offers in the Health and Science Space
While Ritman does not run Medicine and Surgery, it does offer science-based programmes that overlap with pre-medical study, including:
- Biology / Biological Sciences
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
Students who eventually want to pursue Medicine and Surgery through Direct Entry after a first degree, or who want a strong science foundation before transferring or applying elsewhere, sometimes use programmes like these as a stepping stone. This is different from being admitted directly into a Medicine and Surgery degree, and the two paths should not be confused.
General School Fees Structure at Ritman University
Since a specific Medicine and Surgery fee schedule is not available, it helps to understand how Ritman University prices its existing programmes, since any future medical programme would likely follow a similar fee framework, adjusted upward to reflect the higher cost of running a clinical programme.
Ritman University positions itself as one of the more affordable private universities in Nigeria. Tuition for standard undergraduate programmes has historically fallen within a moderate band compared to older private universities, and the university markets this affordability as a key selling point. The exact figure a student pays depends on the department, the level of study, and whether the student is a fresh (new) intake or a returning student, since returning students typically pay a lower amount because they are not charged certain one-time fees.
| Fee Component | Applies To | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | All undergraduate programmes | Varies by department; science-based and professional-inclined courses are usually priced higher than arts and social science courses |
| Acceptance fee | New students only | Paid after an offer of admission is confirmed, before registration |
| Registration/incidental fee | All students | Covers ID cards, library access, and administrative processing |
| Accommodation fee | Students who choose on-campus hostels | Charged separately from tuition; optional if a student arranges off-campus housing |
| Feeding/meal plan | Students on the university’s meal plan | Optional at some private universities; check current policy |
| Departmental/laboratory fee | Science, technology, and lab-based departments | Covers practical sessions, materials, and equipment use |
For a professional programme like Medicine and Surgery, if and when it becomes available, expect additional cost components beyond what is listed above, such as:
- Clinical/teaching hospital fees
- Laboratory and dissection fees for anatomy and related courses
- Practical/attachment fees during clinical postings
- Higher departmental charges reflecting equipment-heavy training
Medicine and Surgery tuition at Nigerian private universities that do offer the programme typically runs into millions of naira per session, since the cost of building and running functional teaching hospitals, laboratories, and clinical partnerships is far higher than for a standard arts or social science degree. If Ritman University introduces the programme in a future session, prospective students should expect its pricing to sit in a comparable range to other private medical schools in Nigeria, rather than the moderate tuition band the university currently charges for its existing courses.
How to Confirm Accurate, Current Fees
Because school fees at Nigerian private universities change from session to session and can be adjusted after admission lists are released, the most reliable way to get an exact figure is to go directly to the source rather than rely on older blog posts or third-party listings. Practical steps include:
- Visit the official Ritman University website and look for the admissions or bursary section for the 2026/2027 session.
- Contact the university’s admissions office directly by phone or email to ask whether Medicine and Surgery is being offered for the session you are applying to, and if so, request the fee breakdown in writing.
- Check the JAMB Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) course list for Ritman University during the application window, since a university cannot admit students into a programme through JAMB unless it is listed as an approved course for that institution.
- Cross-check with the NUC’s list of accredited programmes for private universities, which is publicly available and updated periodically.
- Avoid making payment to any individual or unofficial account claiming to process “medicine and surgery admission” outside the university’s designated payment channels, since this is a common route for admission scams in Nigeria.
Admission Route Considerations
For students who are set on studying Medicine and Surgery specifically, it is worth widening the search to universities with a confirmed, currently accredited MBBS/MBBCh programme, rather than waiting on the possibility that a particular university will introduce one. JAMB’s UTME brochure and CAPS platform list, for each session, exactly which universities have approved slots for Medicine and Surgery. Cross-referencing that list before choosing a first-choice institution avoids the disappointment of scoring well on UTME or post-UTME screening only to discover the course is not actually running at the chosen school.
Students who are already enrolled at Ritman University in a science-related department and are hoping to use it as a pathway into Medicine and Surgery elsewhere should speak with the academic affairs or admissions office about credit transfer policies, since these vary by institution and by how much overlap exists between the completed coursework and the receiving university’s curriculum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ritman University offer Medicine and Surgery (MBBS)?
Based on its current NUC-accredited programme list, no. The university’s accredited offerings are concentrated in management and social sciences, natural and applied sciences, and humanities. Confirm directly with the university before assuming the programme is available for a given session.
What is the general tuition range at Ritman University?
Tuition for existing undergraduate programmes has historically been priced as a moderately affordable option among Nigerian private universities, with the exact amount depending on department, level, and whether a student is a fresh or returning intake. Always request the current session’s fee schedule directly from the university.
Where can I check if a private university has an accredited Medicine and Surgery programme?
Check the JAMB CAPS course list during the admission cycle and the NUC’s published list of accredited programmes for private universities. Both sources are updated to reflect which institutions currently have approved slots for the course.
Is it safe to pay fees for “Medicine and Surgery admission” at Ritman University to an agent?
No. Payments should only be made through the university’s official, designated channels after an admission offer has been verified. Unofficial agents advertising guaranteed admission into a programme that is not on the accredited list are a common warning sign of an admission scam.