Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) runs a Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) programme under its College of Medicine and Health Sciences, offering one of the more affordable routes into a medical career among state universities in North-Central Nigeria. This article sets out what freshers and returning students should expect to pay for the 2026/2027 academic session, how fees differ between indigenes and non-indigenes, and what other costs come with training as a medical student at NSUK.
About the Medicine and Surgery Programme at NSUK
Nasarawa State University is located in Keffi, roughly 58 kilometres from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and operates additional campuses in Lafia, Gudi, and Pyanku. The MBBS programme sits under the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, which trains students from a dedicated complex equipped with lecture theatres, science laboratories, and spaces designed for clinical instruction. The programme runs for six years, structured in three phases: a two-year pre-clinical phase covering Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology; a two-year para-clinical phase introducing Pathology, Microbiology, and Community Medicine; and a two-year clinical phase involving supervised rotations in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, and other specialties at affiliated teaching hospitals. Graduates who complete the programme are awarded the MBBS degree and become eligible to sit for the professional qualifying examination administered by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
Tuition Fees for Fresh Students
Tuition for newly admitted Medicine and Surgery students at NSUK depends on whether the candidate is an indigene of Nasarawa State or a non-indigene from elsewhere in the country. As a state-funded institution, NSUK subsidises tuition more heavily for indigenes, in line with the general practice at most state universities in Nigeria.
| Student Category | Estimated Tuition Per Session (₦) |
|---|---|
| Fresh Indigene | 150,000 – 200,000 |
| Fresh Non-Indigene | 200,000 – 260,000 |
This figure sits well above the general school fees range published for other courses at NSUK, which typically falls between ₦65,000 and ₦160,000 for most non-medical programmes. The gap reflects the additional cost of laboratory access, clinical training materials, and the medical supplementation levy that applies specifically to students in the College of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Tuition Fees for Returning Students
Returning MBBS students at NSUK generally pay less than freshers once the one-off charges tied to first admission, such as the acceptance fee, no longer apply. However, fees rise again once a student progresses into the clinical years, since hospital-based rotations from 400 level onward carry additional practical and supervision costs.
| Level Category | Indigene (₦ per session) | Non-Indigene (₦ per session) |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Clinical/Para-Clinical Returning (200–300 Level) | 80,000 – 120,000 | 120,000 – 160,000 |
| Clinical Years (400–600 Level) | 180,000 – 250,000 | 250,000 – 350,000 |
The increase for clinical-year students reflects the cost of hospital rotations, direct patient-care supervision, and the use of specialised clinical equipment, none of which apply during the earlier, more classroom- and laboratory-based years of the programme.
Other Mandatory Fees and Charges
Beyond the core tuition figure, MBBS students at NSUK pay several additional charges that are bundled into the total cost of a session. These charges apply on top of tuition and, in most cases, recur every session rather than being one-off payments.
| Fee Category | Estimated Amount (₦) |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Fee (one-time, freshers only) | 15,000 – 20,000 |
| Medical/Clinical Supplementation Levy | 20,000 – 50,000 per year |
| Departmental Fee | 10,000 – 15,000 |
| Laboratory and Practical Fee | 15,000 – 25,000 |
| ICT/Technology Fee | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| Student Union Fee | 3,000 – 5,000 |
| Library Fee | 5,000 – 7,500 |
| Examination Fee | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| ID Card and Documentation | 3,000 – 5,000 |
The medical/clinical supplementation levy is specific to students in the College of Medicine and Health Sciences and covers the cost of clinical materials, hospital access arrangements, and the practical supplies used during laboratory and ward-based training. This levy tends to increase once a student enters the clinical years, when time spent in hospital settings increases significantly.
Indigene and Non-Indigene Fee Differences
Because Nasarawa State University is funded primarily by the Nasarawa State Government, students who are indigenes of the state receive a subsidised tuition rate compared to non-indigenes. Across the MBBS programme, indigene students generally pay between 25 percent and 35 percent less than non-indigenes, which typically works out to a difference of roughly ₦50,000 to ₦100,000 per session depending on the level. Over the full six-year duration of the programme, this difference accumulates into significant savings for indigene students. To benefit from the indigene rate, a student must present a valid certificate of origin or equivalent local government identification confirming their status as a Nasarawa State indigene during registration.
Admission Requirements for Medicine at NSUK
Medicine and Surgery is one of the most competitive programmes at NSUK, and candidates need to meet a stricter set of requirements than those applying for most other courses at the university.
- JAMB UTME Cut-Off Mark: Medicine-specific admission typically requires a score of 200 and above, considerably higher than NSUK’s general institutional cut-off mark of around 170.
- UTME Subject Combination: English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- O’Level Requirements: A minimum of five credit passes, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- Post-UTME Screening: Mandatory for all candidates, with performance in this screening playing a significant role in final selection given the limited number of admission slots available each session.
- Direct Entry Route: Candidates with strong A-Level or IJMB results in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics may apply for direct admission into 200 level.
Because Medicine attracts far more applicants than the available quota permits, meeting the minimum cut-off mark only qualifies a candidate for screening; it does not guarantee a final admission offer.
How to Pay School Fees at NSUK
Fee payment at Nasarawa State University is processed entirely through the university’s official student portal, and candidates should avoid making payments through any unofficial channel. The general process follows these steps:
- Log in to the NSUK student portal using your registered credentials.
- Navigate to the fees payment section and select the specific fee category to be paid for the current session.
- Choose a payment method, either online through a debit card or through one of the university’s designated bank branches.
- Complete the payment and print or save the receipt for personal record-keeping.
- Confirm that the payment reflects correctly on the portal before proceeding with course registration for the session.
Fees are expected to be paid within the deadline set by the university each session. Late payment can attract additional charges and may result in a student being unable to sit for semester examinations. NSUK permits part-payment in some circumstances, but full clearance of all outstanding fees is required before a student can take examinations.
Estimated Cost of Living for Medical Students in Keffi
Beyond tuition and mandatory fees, medical students at NSUK should budget for accommodation and daily living expenses. Off-campus accommodation in Keffi typically ranges from ₦40,000 to ₦120,000 per year, while monthly feeding costs generally fall between ₦15,000 and ₦30,000. Keffi’s relatively low cost of living compared to nearby Abuja makes it a manageable location for students on a tight budget, though those who need to travel to Abuja occasionally for additional academic or research resources should factor in transportation costs as well. Taking tuition, mandatory fees, accommodation, and feeding together, a fresh medical student at NSUK should reasonably budget between approximately ₦400,000 and ₦700,000 for a full session.
Why Candidates Consider NSUK for Medicine
Several factors make NSUK an attractive option for candidates pursuing Medicine and Surgery in North-Central Nigeria. The university’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences operates from a newly completed complex with modern lecture and laboratory facilities. Its proximity to Abuja gives students reasonably convenient access to major teaching hospitals, research institutions, and healthcare organisations within the Federal Capital Territory, which can support clinical exposure and career networking. The combination of affordable tuition, particularly for indigenes, and a comparatively low cost of living in Keffi also makes NSUK a financially manageable choice relative to many federal universities and most private universities offering the same degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do fresh MBBS students pay at NSUK per session?
Fresh indigene students pay approximately ₦150,000 to ₦200,000 per session, while non-indigenes pay between ₦200,000 and ₦260,000. These figures cover tuition only; additional mandatory charges apply on top of this amount.
What is the JAMB cut-off mark for Medicine at NSUK?
The cut-off mark for Medicine and Surgery is typically 200 and above, which is higher than the university’s general cut-off mark of around 170 that applies to most other courses.
Do indigenes of Nasarawa State pay lower fees for Medicine?
Yes. Indigene students generally pay between 25 percent and 35 percent less than non-indigenes across each session, a difference that accumulates into substantial savings over the six-year duration of the programme.
How long does the MBBS programme at NSUK take to complete?
The programme runs for six years, divided into a two-year pre-clinical phase, a two-year para-clinical phase, and a two-year clinical phase, after which graduates are eligible to sit for the MDCN professional qualifying examination.
Can medical students at NSUK pay their fees in instalments?
NSUK permits part-payment in some cases, but all outstanding fees must be fully cleared before a student is allowed to sit for semester examinations. Students should confirm the current payment policy through the official NSUK portal each session, since arrangements can be reviewed periodically.