If you searched for a list of private universities in Jigawa State, you are about to get a more accurate answer than most blogs currently give you. Many older articles online still repeat outdated information, so before anything else, this guide sets the record straight, then walks you through what students in Jigawa State actually need to know for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Jigawa State, located in Nigeria’s northwestern region, has always had a smaller pool of universities compared to states like Lagos or Ogun. For years, Khadija University, Majia, stood as the only entry whenever anyone searched for private universities in Jigawa State. That has now changed, and this article explains exactly what happened, what it means for prospective students, and where you can look instead.
The Current Reality: What Happened to Khadija University
Khadija University, Majia (KUM), was founded in 2014 by businessman and philanthropist Alhaji Abdulaziz Garba Namadi. For a decade, it proudly carried the title of the first and, for a long stretch, the only private university in Jigawa State. Students who wanted quality education without long JAMB queues or public-school delays often chose Khadija University because of its manageable tuition and generous scholarship policy for local indigenes.
However, in 2024, the Jigawa State Government approved the acquisition of Khadija University for ₦11 billion. By early 2026, the takeover was complete, a new Vice-Chancellor had been appointed, and the state government began recruiting lecturers to run the institution as a fully public university. This means that, as of the 2026/2027 academic session, Khadija University is no longer privately owned. It now operates as the state’s second public university.
Here is why this matters: if you are still searching for private universities in Jigawa State, the honest answer right now is that there are currently none operating independently within the state. This is not a common situation across Nigeria, which is exactly why it deserves a clear, honest explanation rather than a recycled article pretending nothing has changed.
Why This Gap Exists in Jigawa State
Unlike southern Nigeria, where private university ownership is widespread, northern states like Jigawa have historically had fewer private investors willing to fund standalone universities. Khadija University filled that gap for a decade, and its acquisition by the state government reflects a broader pattern where thriving private institutions eventually get absorbed into state education systems to expand access and stabilize funding.
For students who specifically want the private universities in Jigawa State experience — smaller class sizes, faster resumption dates, and closer lecturer access — this shift means looking either at Khadija University’s new public status or at private options in neighboring states.
What Khadija University Used to Charge (For Historical Reference)
Before its conversion, Khadija University’s fee structure gave a good idea of what private education cost in the state. This is useful background if you’re comparing prices across the region:
- Tuition varied by faculty and programme, covering courses like Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Accounting, and Mass Communication
- Acceptance fee: around ₦15,000
- Matriculation fee: around ₦20,000
- Accommodation: ranged from ₦130,000 to ₦200,000 depending on room type
- Scholarship waivers: up to 50% for Jigawa State indigenes and 30% for students from neighboring Kano State
These figures no longer apply directly since the university is now government-owned, but they give useful context for what private tuition in the region traditionally looked like.
Where Jigawa State Students Can Look Now
Since there are currently no standalone private universities in Jigawa State, students have two realistic paths:
1. Public Universities Within Jigawa State
Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa, and Federal University, Dutse, remain strong, fully accredited options within the state. Khadija University, now under state ownership, also continues to admit students, just under public tuition rates rather than private ones.
2. Private Universities in Neighboring States
Students who specifically want the private university experience can look at nearby options such as Al-Istiqama University in Sumaila, Kano State, or other NUC-accredited private institutions across northern Nigeria. These schools are within reasonable distance for Jigawa indigenes and often maintain similar admission timelines to what Khadija University once offered.
What Determines School Fees at Northern Private Universities
Even outside Jigawa, tuition patterns across similar private universities in the north tend to follow the same logic:
- Course of study: Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, and Engineering-related courses cost more due to equipment and accreditation needs
- Indigene status: Many northern private universities, following Khadija University’s old model, offer discounted fees to students from the host state or nearby states
- Accommodation type: Hostel costs are billed separately from tuition and vary by room capacity
- New versus returning student charges: Freshers typically pay extra one-time fees like matriculation and ID card charges
Knowing these patterns helps you budget realistically, whether you end up at a public institution in Jigawa or a private one nearby.
Tips for Jigawa State Students Planning for 2026/2027
- Confirm a university’s current ownership status before applying; some listings online are outdated, as this article demonstrates
- If considering Khadija University, budget for public-tuition rates rather than the old private fee structure
- Reach out directly to any university’s official admissions office rather than relying solely on third-party blogs
- Compare nearby private options in Kano, Bauchi, or Kaduna States if a private university experience is a priority
- Always verify official bank account details before making any payment to avoid falling victim to admission scams
Conclusion
The honest, updated answer to the list of private universities in Jigawa State with their school fees is that there are currently no independently run private universities operating in the state, following Khadija University’s conversion into a public institution. This is an important update for any student or parent relying on older articles for guidance. Public options like Sule Lamido University, Federal University Dutse, and the newly public Khadija University remain solid choices within Jigawa State, while private university seekers can look toward neighboring states. Always confirm current details directly from each institution before the 2026/2027 admission cycle closes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are there any private universities currently in Jigawa State? No. Khadija University, Majia, was the only private university in Jigawa State, and it became a fully public institution following the state government’s acquisition completed by 2026.
2. What happened to Khadija University? The Jigawa State Government acquired Khadija University for ₦11 billion in 2024, and by 2026, it had officially become the state’s second public university, complete with a new Vice-Chancellor and government-recruited staff.
3. Can I still apply to Khadija University? Yes, but you would be applying as a public university student, which typically means lower fees than the university’s original private tuition structure.
4. Where can Jigawa State students find private university options? Students interested in private universities can look at accredited institutions in neighboring states like Kano, Bauchi, or Kaduna, since no standalone private university currently exists within Jigawa State.
5. What were Khadija University’s fees before the takeover? Tuition varied by course, with acceptance fees around ₦15,000, matriculation around ₦20,000, and accommodation between ₦130,000 and ₦200,000, alongside generous scholarship waivers for indigenes.
6. Is this information likely to change again soon? Education policy in Nigeria shifts often, so always check official government or university announcements for the most current status before the 2026/2027 session begins.