Novena University, located in Ogume, Delta State, is one of the private institutions in Nigeria that runs an NUC-accredited Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme. Students researching admission into the medical school want a straightforward answer on what the programme costs per session, what additional charges apply, and how the fee compares with other private medical schools. This article lays out the fee structure for the 2026/2027 academic session, the payment components involved, and other information relevant to intending medical students.
About Novena University’s Medicine and Surgery Programme
Novena University runs a six-year MBBS programme that has been approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC), alongside Dentistry (BDS) and Pharmacy (Pharm.D) programmes. The university is a private institution established in 2005 and situated in Delta State, Nigeria, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across several faculties. Alongside Medicine and Surgery, the College of Health Sciences also runs Nursing, Anatomy, and Community Health programmes.
Admission into the MBBS programme is competitive, though less so than in some other private medical schools. Novena University sets its JAMB cut-off mark for Medicine at 180, which places it among the private universities with the lowest cut-off marks for Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria, making it a realistic option for candidates from Delta, Bayelsa, and neighbouring states who may not meet the higher entry requirements of some federal medical schools.
Novena University Medicine and Surgery Fees for 2026/2027
Tuition for Medicine and Surgery at Novena University is significantly higher than tuition for the university’s non-medical courses, which is standard practice across Nigerian private universities running clinical programmes. Recent figures place annual tuition for Medicine and Surgery at Novena University between ₦1,500,000 and ₦2,200,000, positioning it as one of the more affordable MBBS programmes among private universities offering the course, compared to institutions such as Madonna University and Igbinedion University, whose annual medical tuition runs higher.
It is worth noting that fee figures for the programme are not fully uniform across the sources tracking them. Older figures placed the medicine and surgery fee closer to ₦800,000 to ₦1,000,000 per session, inclusive of room and board but excluding books, supplies, and other personal expenses, while broader estimates of total annual cost of attendance at the university (across all faculties, not medicine specifically) have gone as high as roughly ₦2,000,000 per year. The variation reflects the fact that private university fees in Nigeria are reviewed periodically, and older published figures do not always reflect the current session’s charges. Prospective students and parents should treat the ranges below as a guide and confirm the exact current figure with the university’s admissions or bursary office before making payment.
Estimated Fee Breakdown for Medicine and Surgery (2026/2027)
| Fee Component | Estimated Amount (₦) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Medicine and Surgery, per session) | 1,500,000 – 2,200,000 | Varies by level of study (preclinical vs clinical years) |
| Acceptance Fee | 40,000 | Paid once, after admission is confirmed |
| Registration and Sundry Charges | Included in general fresh students’ fee | Covers ID cards, matriculation, and departmental registration |
| Medical Screening Fee | Included in general fresh students’ fee | Mandatory health check for new students |
| Hostel/Accommodation | Varies | Optional for students who choose university hostels |
| Sports and Library Levy | Included in general fresh students’ fee | Standard charge across all faculties |
The table above combines tuition figures specific to the medical programme with the general administrative charges that apply to all fresh students at the university. For non-medical courses, fresh students generally pay a flat administrative package that totals around ₦539,000, covering tuition, registration, medicals, sports, accommodation, and other charges, but medical students pay a higher tuition component on top of similar administrative charges, given the extra practical, laboratory, and clinical training costs that come with the MBBS programme.
Why Medicine and Surgery Costs More Than Other Courses
Medicine and Surgery is priced above every other undergraduate programme at Novena University for reasons that are common across Nigerian medical schools:
- Laboratory and practical training costs — Medical students use anatomy labs, physiology labs, and other specialised equipment that non-medical students do not require.
- Clinical postings — In the clinical years, students rotate through teaching hospitals and affiliated health facilities, which involves additional coordination and facility costs.
- Smaller class sizes — Medical programmes are capped to meet NUC accreditation requirements on the student-to-facility ratio, so the cost per student is spread across a smaller cohort compared to arts or social science courses.
- Extended duration — The MBBS programme runs six years rather than the typical four to five years for most other degrees, so cumulative training and facility costs run longer.
Payment Structure
Novena University generally allows students to pay tuition in instalments rather than as a single lump sum. Fees can be broken down into first and second semester instalments, which reduces the burden of paying the full amount at once. This applies to medical students as well as students in other faculties. Fresh students, including those admitted into Medicine and Surgery, are typically required to pay the same baseline administrative charges as every other new student, with the tuition component adjusted upward for the medical programme.
New students are also required to complete the acceptance fee payment before proceeding with other admission formalities. The acceptance fee is payable as soon as admission is confirmed and signals the student’s commitment to attending the university, forming part of the registration process before other payments and administrative tasks can proceed.
How Novena University’s Medical Fees Compare to Other Private Medical Schools
For context, Novena University’s medicine and surgery tuition sits on the lower-to-middle end of the range charged by private universities offering MBBS in Nigeria. Some private medical schools charge considerably more per session; for instance, Nile University’s Medicine and Surgery programme is priced at several million naira per session, making it one of the highest-cost MBBS programmes among private universities. This puts Novena University in a more accessible bracket for families that want a private, NUC-accredited medical education without the cost levels charged by some of the more expensive institutions.
Other Costs to Budget For
Beyond tuition and the standard administrative charges, medical students at Novena University should budget for a few recurring costs that are not always included in the published tuition figure:
- Textbooks and clinical equipment — stethoscopes, lab coats, dissection kits, and reference textbooks are typically bought separately.
- Accommodation and feeding — students who do not use university hostels will need to budget for private lodging and daily upkeep.
- Medical insurance or health levy — many universities require students, especially those in clinical training, to carry basic health coverage.
- Departmental and clinical posting fees — some charges are levied per academic year rather than as part of the general fresh students’ fee, particularly once a student advances into the clinical phase of the programme.
FAQs
How much is Novena University’s Medicine and Surgery tuition per session?
Current estimates place it between ₦1,500,000 and ₦2,200,000 per session, though the exact figure depends on the student’s level and is subject to periodic review by the university.
Is the acceptance fee different for medical students?
No. The acceptance fee applies uniformly to all new students across faculties, including those admitted into Medicine and Surgery.
Can medical students pay fees in instalments?
Yes. Novena University generally allows tuition to be split into first and second semester payments for all students, medical students included.
What is the JAMB cut-off mark for Medicine at Novena University?
The cut-off mark is 180, which is comparatively lower than some other private universities running MBBS programmes.
Does the published tuition include accommodation and feeding?
Not entirely. While some administrative packages include a hostel component, feeding, books, and personal supplies are typically separate costs students must plan for independently.