Finding a bed space is one of the biggest worries for Nigerian students, and the price gap between universities is huge. A federal university hall can cost less than ₦60,000 a session, while a premium private hostel can pass ₦3 million. This guide compares hostel fees at popular public and private universities so you can plan your budget before resumption.
Nigerian University Hostel Fees at a Glance
- Federal universities such as UI, OAU and ABU generally charge between about ₦20,000 and ₦100,000 per session for ordinary halls.
- State and public hostels built under newer arrangements can cost far more. At LASU, new hostels charge ₦352,500 per student, and a newer UNILAG hostel charges up to ₦950,000.
- Private universities range from roughly ₦310,000 to over ₦3,000,000 a session depending on room type.
- Most public hostels cover far fewer students than the school enrols, so many students end up renting off campus.
Note on accuracy: Hostel fees change often and sources sometimes disagree. The figures below come from the universities’ own pages where available and from recent news reports otherwise. Always confirm the current amount on your school’s portal before paying.
Hostel Fees in Public Universities
| University | Reported hostel fee per session | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| University of Lagos (UNILAG) | ₦80,000 (general bed space); ₦250,000 (Sodeinde Hall); ₦500,000 (Moremi Hall Extension) | These were announced after a meeting between students’ leaders and management in October 2025 and were described as subject to review. |
| University of Lagos (newer public-private hostel) | ₦710,000 (four-man en-suite room); ₦950,000 (single room) | Reported by BusinessDay and Legit.ng for a 484-bed hostel. |
| Lagos State University (LASU) | ₦352,500 (new hostels); about ₦80,000 (older school-run hostels) | Reported by P.M. News in early 2026. Older blocks are cheaper but often crowded. |
| University of Ibadan (UI) | About ₦30,000 to ₦60,000 (most halls); ₦80,000 (Alexander Brown Hall) | A 2026 fresher reported paying ₦60,000 for a four-man room. Other guides still list ₦30,000, so confirm on the portal. |
| Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) | Above ₦50,000 | The fee jumped from ₦3,090 to ₦30,000 in 2022/23. Students’ groups reported paying over ₦50,000 in 2024/25. |
| Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria | About ₦20,000 plus a maintenance fee of about ₦7,000 | Some sources cite higher figures depending on hall. Halls reportedly house about a third of students. |
| University of Benin (UNIBEN) | ₦31,000 to ₦150,000 | The range depends on the hostel and accommodation category. |
Hostel fees for UI postgraduate students
The University of Ibadan publishes separate rates for postgraduates. In Tafawa Balewa Hall, a one-man room costs ₦150,000 and a double room ₦87,500. In Abdusalami Abubakar Hall, a one-man room is ₦75,000 per semester and a two-man room ₦50,000 per semester.
Hostel Fees in Private Universities
Babcock University (2026/2027)
Babcock publishes its accommodation charges on its official portal. The full-year amounts are:
| Hostel type | Full year | First semester |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Hostel | ₦397,712 | ₦198,856 |
| Premium Hostel | ₦404,398.40 | ₦202,199.20 |
| Classic Hostel | ₦526,568 | ₦263,284 |
| Classic Plus | ₦564,180 | ₦282,090 |
Feeding is billed separately. The three-meals-a-day plan costs up to ₦1,428,000 for the year.
Wigwe University (2026/2027)
| Room type | Occupants | Fee per student, per session |
|---|---|---|
| Classic 2 (Quad) | 4 | ₦1,600,000 |
| Classic 1 (Double) | 2 | ₦2,000,000 |
| Premium (En-suite) | 2 | ₦3,000,000 |
The fees are charged per semester at ₦800,000, ₦1,000,000 and ₦1,500,000 respectively. Only 11 premium rooms are available, so book early.
Afe Babalola University (ABUAD)
ABUAD is fully residential, so every student lives on campus. The most recent official schedule reported is for 2025/2026, and the 2026/2027 amounts may differ.
| Room type | Fee |
|---|---|
| 4-Person Room | ₦310,000 |
| 2-Person Room | ₦510,000 |
| 1-Person Room | ₦610,000 |
| Ensuite 2-Person and 3-Person Room | ₦610,000 |
| Ensuite 1-Person Room | ₦810,000 |
| Super Deluxe 1-Person Room | ₦1,010,000 |
Al-Hikmah University (2026/2027, returning students)
Al-Hikmah has some of the widest price ranges because it offers many hostels across campuses. Reported rates run from ₦75,000 at the Igbaja hostel to ₦500,000 for the Medical Hostel at Atere Campus. Founder New Hostels I to IV at Atere cost ₦250,000, and the International Hostel at Adeta costs ₦250,000 for male and ₦350,000 for female students.
Why Hostel Fees Differ So Much
Ownership and funding. Federal and older state hostels are heavily subsidised and are often decades old. Newer hostels built through private partnerships or loans must recover their costs.
Room type. Fewer occupants, an en-suite bathroom and air conditioning all push the price up quickly. At ABUAD, going from a four-person room to a super deluxe single room more than triples the cost.
Bundled services. Private universities often charge for feeding, utilities and internet on top of the bed space.
Demand. In most public universities, hostels house a minority of students, so competition for space is intense and private hostels near campus can charge several hundred thousand naira.
How to Save on Hostel Costs
- Apply the moment booking opens. Allocation is usually first come, first served, and unpaid bookings can be cancelled.
- Compare on-campus and off-campus options. Off-campus rent can be cheaper in towns like Zaria, but costs more in Lagos once you add transport.
- Share a room. Moving from a single to a double or quad room cuts the fee sharply.
- Check what is included. A higher fee that covers feeding and utilities may cost less than a cheap bed space plus extras.
- Pay through official portals only. Avoid agents who promise bed spaces for a fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Nigerian university has the cheapest hostel? Federal universities such as UI, OAU and ABU generally have the lowest fees, often between ₦20,000 and ₦60,000 for an ordinary hall, though demand is high and spaces are limited.
How much is hostel accommodation at UNILAG? The general bed space was set at ₦80,000, with Sodeinde Hall at ₦250,000 and Moremi Hall Extension at ₦500,000. A newer hostel charges ₦710,000 to ₦950,000. These fees were described as subject to review.
How much is hostel accommodation at Babcock University? For 2026/2027, it ranges from ₦397,712 for a Regular Hostel to ₦564,180 for Classic Plus, for the full year.
Which is the most expensive university hostel in Nigeria? Wigwe University’s Premium En-suite room is among the highest, at ₦3,000,000 per session.
Is hostel accommodation compulsory? At private universities like Babcock and ABUAD, living on campus is generally required. At public universities, it is optional, and many students rent privately.
Is feeding included in hostel fees? Usually not at public universities. At Babcock, feeding is billed separately. Check each school’s fee schedule.
Hostel costs now vary from a few tens of thousands of naira at some federal halls to millions at premium private campuses, so the cheapest option for you depends on your school and room type. Use this guide as a starting point, then confirm current amounts and booking dates with your university before you pay.
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