National Open University Of Nigeria (2025/2026 Session) Acceptance And School Fees

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re considering (or already have) securing admission into the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Lagos. First off, congratulations! You’ve made a bold choice. Not just because NOUN is Nigeria’s leading open and distance learning institution, but because this school was literally designed for people who want flexibility—students who want to study while working, running businesses, or juggling family responsibilities.

But before you officially become a full-fledged NOUN student, one small but important detail stands in the way—money. Yes, that same thing that has caused young men to start online courses they didn’t finish and made aunties turn motivational speakers on WhatsApp.

So today, let’s sit down and talk about acceptance fees and school fees at NOUN—because nobody wants to get hit with surprise charges after printing admission letters with joy.

Sponsored:

Do you Want to Earn Money Online as a Student? Konnect is the Platform for you! Click the picture below to get started 

Let’s Start With the Acceptance Fee – The “Yes, I’m Ready” Money

So, you’ve been offered admission. The first thing you should know is that NOUN expects you to say “yes” to the offer—but with your wallet. That’s what the acceptance fee is for. Think of it like a traditional bride price in the university world—it shows you’re serious and you’re not playing games.

How Much is the NOUN Acceptance Fee?

As at the last update, the acceptance fee is ₦10,000. Not bad at all, right? I mean, considering some universities in Nigeria will boldly ask you for ₦40,000 or ₦50,000 just to “accept” the offer. NOUN is humble. It’s the type of university that asks, “Do you love me?” with only a ₦10,000 tag attached. Respect.

This fee is non-refundable o, so once you pay it, no going back. But once you pay that ₦10k, you can proudly shout “I am now a student of NOUN!” in your family WhatsApp group.

Now, Let’s Talk About School Fees – The Real Commitment

Ah, school fees. That one topic that makes even the bravest students pause for a second.

Unlike traditional universities where you attend lectures in crowded halls and have to deal with surprise strikes from ASUU, NOUN’s mode of operation is different. It’s distance learning, and that comes with a different fee structure.

Now, before I go into breakdown mode, let’s clarify something: NOUN doesn’t use the same tuition system for all students. Your course of study and level determines how much you’ll pay. But let me give you a general idea—an average picture that you can paint over with your course-specific details later.

Breakdown of NOUN School Fees

Let’s break down the general fees you’ll encounter whether you’re a fresh student or a returning one. These are the major players in the world of NOUN finance:

For Fresh Students:

Estimated Total (excluding tuition): ₦46,000

So, as a fresh student, apart from the tuition itself, you’ll be looking at a starting cost of around ₦46,000.

Depending on the course—Law, Nursing, Communication, IT, Accounting, etc.—tuition fees may vary. For instance, some programmes like Law and Nursing come with heavier tags, while others like Education may be more affordable.

For Returning Students:

As a returning student, some fees disappear (thankfully). You won’t be paying acceptance again—after all, you already paid your bride price. Here’s what your bill could look like:

Estimated Total (excluding tuition): ₦24,500

This structure is much lighter, and thank heavens for that. NOUN understands that you’ve already “entered the family” and shouldn’t be overburdened. Very considerate.

Tuition – The Ever-Changing Variable

Now, about that tuition. This is where things vary based on your faculty and course of study.

Let me give you some sample estimates:

Undergraduate Programmes:

• Faculty of Sciences: ₦36,000 – ₦50,000

• Faculty of Education: ₦30,000 – ₦45,000

• Faculty of Arts: ₦35,000 – ₦40,000

• Faculty of Law: ₦45,000 – ₦70,000

• Faculty of Health Sciences: ₦40,000 – ₦60,000

Postgraduate Programmes:

• PGD (Postgraduate Diploma): ₦55,000 – ₦75,000

• Master’s Programmes: ₦85,000 – ₦120,000

• PhD Programmes: ₦150,000 – ₦180,000

Again, these are estimates. Always check the specific amount on the NOUN student portal based on your course and level. One man’s ₦45k is another’s ₦75k—depending on whether you’re studying Mass Comm or Microbiology.

NOUN Is Pay-As-You-Go Friendly

One beautiful thing about NOUN is that you don’t need to pay the entire school fees at once. Yep, I said it.

They understand that not everyone has ₦60k lying in their account waiting to be spent on school. So, the university allows students to pay in installments. You can pay per semester, per session, or even per course.

It’s like Jumia’s “Pay Small Small,” but this one is for your brain investment.

How to Make Payments at NOUN

Now, you don’t carry Ghana-Must-Go bag to the bursary office, please. All payments are done online.

Follow these steps:

1. Log in to the NOUN portal: www.nouonline.net

2. Click on “Student Login” and enter your credentials.

3. Select the semester, then generate RRR (Remita Retrieval Reference) for the fee you want to pay.

4. Take that RRR to any bank or use an online payment gateway.

5. Pay, print your receipt, and update your portal.

Simple. No need to beg the bursar or buy meat pie to “facilitate things.”

Things to Keep in Mind

Before we close this fee-paying conversation, let me leave you with some golden reminders:

• Deadlines matter: Don’t sleep on it. Late payments may deny you access to courses and exams.

• You must pay before registering for courses. Don’t think you can dodge the system. NOUN’s portal is more vigilant than Nigerian mothers during NEPA blackout.

• Always confirm tuition for your course: Different faculties = different price tags.

• Keep your receipts. You’ll need them for clearance, registrations, and even future arguments (just in case).

Conclusion: Is NOUN Worth the Money?

Yes. NOUN is one of the most cost-effective, flexible, and inclusive universities in Nigeria. Whether you’re a full-time worker, business owner, stay-at-home parent, or someone looking for a second chance at tertiary education, NOUN gives you the opportunity without the bottlenecks of traditional universities.

And let’s be honest: for a federal university offering such flexibility with moderate fees, NOUN is a golden opportunity—especially in this economy where even sachet water has trust issues with pricing.

So, if you’ve got your admission letter in hand, don’t let the fees scare you. Start small, pay gradually, and focus on your long-term academic goals.

If this post helped clear your confusion, consider sharing it with someone else who just gained admission into NOUN. Help them avoid those "Wait, they didn’t tell me about this" moments.