Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), located in Ebonyi State, offers Computer Science under its Faculty of Physical Sciences. As a federal university, AE-FUNAI charges considerably lower fees than private institutions, and Computer Science falls into the university’s standard non-professional fee category, alongside courses such as Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Statistics. This article breaks down exactly what a Computer Science student at AE-FUNAI pays, from acceptance fee to yearly charges, and explains how these figures compare across student categories.
Overview of AE-FUNAI and Its Computer Science Programme
AE-FUNAI was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2011, originally under the name Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, before it was renamed in 2018 to honour Dr Alex Ekwueme, Nigeria’s first elected Vice President under the Second Republic. The university sits on the Ikwo axis of Ebonyi State and is often described as “the university in a garden” because of its landscaped, eco-friendly campus design. It runs over a dozen faculties, more than fifty departments, and a College of Medical Sciences, in addition to its regular science, engineering, humanities, and social science programmes.
Computer Science at AE-FUNAI sits within the Faculty of Physical Sciences and is a four-year degree programme for direct UTME entry, or a shorter duration for candidates admitted through Direct Entry with relevant prior qualifications such as a National Diploma or equivalent certification in a computing-related field. The department trains students in programming, systems analysis, data structures, computer networks, and related computing disciplines, and it typically records strong demand during admissions because of the wide career relevance of a computing degree.
Because Computer Science is not classified as one of AE-FUNAI’s professional or high-cost programmes (such as Medicine, Law, Nursing, or Nutrition), it falls under the fee band the university applies to its general science and arts-based courses. This places it among the more affordable programmes offered at the institution.
AE-FUNAI Computer Science School Fees for Fresh (100 Level) Students
New students admitted into Computer Science pay a combination of student charges, faculty and departmental dues, one-off matriculation costs, and other mandatory levies. These charges are billed as a single yearly total rather than split into semester instalments, since AE-FUNAI, like most Nigerian federal universities, does not operate a semester-based fee structure.
The table below sets out the components that make up the fresher fee for Computer Science and other similarly categorised courses in the “Others” faculty group at AE-FUNAI:
| Fee Component | Amount (₦) |
|---|---|
| Student charges | 75,500 |
| Faculty dues | 3,000 |
| Departmental dues | 2,000 |
| GST registration | 2,000 |
| Laboratory/workshop charges | 3,000 |
| Matriculation charges | 7,500 |
| ID card | 3,000 |
| Internet services | 6,500 |
| Student union dues | 2,000 |
| Student union registration | 3,000 |
| X-Ray charges | 5,000 |
| Student health insurance | 3,000 |
| Parent forum fees | 50,000 |
| Total (Fresher) | ₦165,500 |
This total does not include the acceptance fee, which every newly admitted student must pay separately after confirming admission and before commencing registration for school fees.
AE-FUNAI Computer Science Acceptance Fee
Computer Science falls under the “engineering and other faculties” category for acceptance fee purposes at AE-FUNAI, which means new Computer Science students pay ₦41,000 as acceptance fee. This is lower than what students admitted into Medicine or Law pay (₦81,000), and also lower than the Nutrition and Nursing acceptance fee of ₦51,000. The acceptance fee confirms a candidate’s intention to take up the offer of admission and must be paid before the student proceeds to pay the main school fees or begins departmental registration.
AE-FUNAI Computer Science School Fees for Returning Students
Students who have completed their first year and are progressing to 200 Level and beyond pay a reduced fee, since several one-off charges tied to first-year admission (such as matriculation charges and student union registration) no longer apply. Returning Computer Science students pay a yearly total that reflects only the recurring charges applicable every session.
| Fee Component | Amount (₦) |
|---|---|
| Student charges | 52,800 |
| Faculty dues | 3,000 |
| Departmental dues | 2,000 |
| Laboratory/workshop charges | 3,000 |
| Internet services | 6,500 |
| Student union dues | 2,000 |
| Student health insurance | 3,000 |
| Parents forum fee | 5,000 |
| Total (Returning student) | ₦77,300 |
This figure applies consistently from 200 Level through to the final year of the programme, barring any general fee review by the university management, which would apply uniformly across all levels and faculties rather than being specific to Computer Science alone.
How Computer Science Fees Compare to Other Faculties at AE-FUNAI
AE-FUNAI’s fee structure is faculty-based rather than department-based, meaning Computer Science shares its fee bracket with most of the university’s science, arts, education, and social science courses, while a handful of professional and clinical programmes attract significantly higher charges. The comparison below shows where Computer Science fits within the broader fee landscape of the university:
| Faculty Category | Fresher Fee (₦) | Returning Student Fee (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science / Others | 165,500 | 77,300 |
| Engineering | 216,500 | 80,300 |
| Nutrition | 283,500 | 97,300 |
| Nursing | 371,500 | 179,000 |
| Law | 487,500 | 251,300 |
| Medicine | 497,500 | 251,300 |
This comparison makes clear that Computer Science is among the least expensive programmes at AE-FUNAI, roughly a third of what Medicine or Law students pay in their first year, largely because it does not carry the heavy development levy, X-ray, or clinical charges attached to health-related and professional courses.
Additional Costs Beyond Tuition
Aside from the standard school fees and acceptance fee, Computer Science students at AE-FUNAI should budget for a few additional expenses that are not bundled into the official fee schedule:
- Accommodation: Hostel fees are charged separately and depend on room type and occupancy. Students who prefer off-campus housing in Ndufu-Alike or nearby Ikwo can also budget for private rent, though on-campus hostels remain the more convenient option for most undergraduates.
- Departmental practical materials: While the laboratory/workshop charge covers general departmental practical costs, some computing-related courses may require students to purchase or access specific software licences, flash drives, or supplementary materials for coursework and projects.
- Textbooks and course materials: As with most computing programmes, students should plan for the cost of technical textbooks, though many departments now rely heavily on soft copies and online resources to reduce this expense.
- International student charges: Non-Nigerian students admitted into faculties outside Medicine and Engineering pay ₦144,000 as freshers and ₦80,100 as returning students, which is the applicable bracket for Computer Science under the “other faculties” category for international students.
How to Pay AE-FUNAI School Fees for Computer Science
Payment of Computer Science school fees follows the same university-wide process used across all faculties at AE-FUNAI. Students log in to the official student portal, generate a payment invoice for the applicable session, and use the Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) number to complete payment either at a designated bank or online using a debit or credit card. After payment, students return to the portal to confirm and upload proof of payment before proceeding with course registration. AE-FUNAI does not accept school fees in instalments for regular students; full payment is expected before registration, except in specific cases involving sponsorship or bursary arrangements, where fees may be released in tranches directly by the sponsoring body.
Why AE-FUNAI Is a Cost-Effective Option for Computer Science
Computer Science remains one of the most sought-after courses in Nigeria because of its relevance to software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, and the broader technology job market. At AE-FUNAI, students gain access to this field of study at a fraction of what private universities charge for similar or related computing programmes, which often run into hundreds of thousands or millions of naira per session. For students and parents working within a tight budget, AE-FUNAI’s fee structure for Computer Science, sitting under ₦170,000 for freshers and around ₦77,000 for returning students, positions the university as one of the more affordable federal institutions for pursuing a degree in computing.
FAQs
How much are AE-FUNAI Computer Science school fees for new students?
Fresh Computer Science students pay a total of ₦165,500 in school fees, in addition to a separate acceptance fee of ₦41,000 paid after admission is confirmed.
How much do returning Computer Science students pay at AE-FUNAI?
Returning Computer Science students, from 200 Level onward, pay ₦77,300 per session, since several one-off first-year charges no longer apply.
Does AE-FUNAI allow instalment payment of school fees?
No. AE-FUNAI generally requires full payment of school fees before registration, though partial or tranche-based payments are permitted for students on formal sponsorship or bursary schemes.
Is hostel accommodation included in the Computer Science school fees?
No. Hostel accommodation is billed separately from the standard school fees and depends on the type of room a student selects.
Which faculty does Computer Science belong to at AE-FUNAI?
Computer Science is offered under the Faculty of Physical Sciences and is billed under the university’s general “other faculties” fee category, which is one of the most affordable brackets at the institution.