Gone are the days when earning a degree meant being tied to a classroom or campus. Today, open universities in Nigeria are redefining what it means to learn—offering flexible, affordable, and fully accredited programs you can access from virtually anywhere.
Whether you’re a busy professional, a stay-at-home parent, or simply looking for a cost-effective alternative to traditional schooling, open universities bring quality education to your fingertips.
But with many options out there, how do you know which ones truly deliver? We’ve done the research for you. Here are our expert picks of the top 7 open universities in Nigeria that combine credibility, innovation, and student success.
Table of contents
- What Is An Open University?
- Why Should I Study at an Open University In Nigeria?
- Top 7 Open Universities In Nigeria
- Open University Vs Conventional University: Which Should I Go For?
- Do I Need JAMB To Study In An Open University?
- Requirements Needed To Study at an Open University
- Will I Go For NYSC After Attending An Open University In Nigeria?
- Conclusion
- We Also Recommend
What Is An Open University?
Open universities are institutions offering degrees with low or no entry requirements. They are the ideal study options for students who have graduated from their previous studies with low grades but want to continue their higher education.
They offer flexible, distance-learning programs that allow students to study remotely at their own pace. These institutions are ideal for working professionals, parents, or individuals who cannot attend traditional on-campus classes.
Open universities aim to offer everyone equal opportunities to develop their abilities, improve their education level, and retrain for a new career. They are also the ideal way to become eligible for pursuing a typical university degree afterward.
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Why Should I Study at an Open University In Nigeria?
Open universities are ideal for working professionals, parents, or individuals who cannot attend traditional on-campus classes. Open universities often have less stringent admission requirements and provide a variety of programs across different fields. Here are key reasons why you should study in an open university:
- Flexibility: Study anytime, anywhere, making it easier to balance education with work or family commitments.
- Accessibility: Open to a broader range of students, including those who may not meet traditional admission criteria.
- Cost-Effective: Generally lower tuition fees and no need for commuting or accommodation expenses.
- No Strikes: Academic calendars are typically uninterrupted by industrial actions.
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Top 7 Open Universities In Nigeria
Here’s a list of the best open universites you can attend in Nigeria:
1. National Open University (NOUN)
NOUN is a federal open and distance learning university with 103 study centers across Nigeria. The NUC-accredited university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma programs in nine faculties and 37 departments, with over 122 programs in fields such as arts, education, science, and law.
The university uses self-learning and sends study materials by mail, including printed texts, audio and video tapes, CD-ROMs, radio/TV broadcasts, and computer-based resources. The course materials are also accessible through the university’s website.
Like all NUC-accredited open distance learning universities in Nigeria, admission requires only a minimum of five O-Level credits, including English language and mathematics.
NOUN’s tuition fees are affordable compared with traditional institutions.
2. Miva Open University
Miva University, licensed by the NUC, is a degree-awarding open university offering programs through three main faculties: the School of Computing, the School of Management and Social Sciences, and the School of Allied Health Sciences. It also provides postgraduate programs, including the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Public Administration.
Recognized as one of Nigeria’s top online universities for computer science, Miva offers in-demand courses such as Cybersecurity, Data Science, and Software Engineering. Tuition begins at ₦280,000 per session, with flexible payment options available monthly, by semester, or per session.
Through its learning management system (LMS), Miva delivers course materials, facilitates discussions, conducts assessments, and supports real-time interaction with instructors. Students may take study breaks upon approval from the academic support team. Exams take place at designated centers across Nigeria, while international students can sit for online proctored exams.
Miva’s graduates are excluded from one year of NYSC mandatory service but will receive a “Letter of Exclusion.”
3. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) — Distance Learning Centre
ABU’s distance learning center offers online degrees in business administration, public administration, computer science, nursing science, international relations, and political science, among others. It also provides postgraduate, master’s, and certificate programmes, but unlike NOUN, these have limited options.
Students can choose from four study options: hard copies, e-copies, audio, and video. An online library is accessible, and offline e-libraries are available in Zaria, Lagos, and Abuja. Optional on-campus tutorials are held at the end of each semester, and sessions are streamed live for remote participation.
ABU DLC holds admission screening and semester examinations in Abuja, Gombe, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Zaria. You can select your screening and examination venues.
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4. Iconic Open University
Iconic Open University is an NUC-accredited private open, distance, and e-learning university in Nigeria. It offers courses in various disciplines, including allied health science, computing science, arts, humanities, and social and management science.
The university uses a dedicated learning management system to conduct online learning, allowing students to access course materials, join discussions, submit assignments, and interact with instructors and peers.
Depending on the course, the university organizes assessments through a mix of online tests, project-based evaluations, and in-person proctored exams at the nearest learning centers. Iconic Open University assures its graduates of NYSC eligibility. While tuition fees vary by program and location, the university maintains affordable rates for most students.
5. University of Ibadan Distance Learning
The University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre (UIDLC) offers a wide range of courses across faculties such as Arts, Education, Social Sciences, Science, Health Sciences, Law, Management Sciences and Technology, and Agricultural Sciences. After registering for a session, students can log into the university portal, download their course manuals, and begin self-paced study from any location. They engage with E-Tutors and coursemates through the UIDLC Mobile Class LMS, which hosts all UI-ODeL courses.
UIDLC awards distance learning students the same certificate as on-campus students upon graduation. Unlike many other institutions, the university also makes its graduates eligible for the one-year compulsory NYSC service.
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6. West Midlands Open University
West Midlands Open University (WMOU) is one of Nigeria’s top open universities, offering fully accredited online degree programs licensed by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The university combines cutting-edge technology with flexible, high-quality education in Business, Social Sciences, and Computing, making it ideal for professionals and remote learners. Its leadership in digital learning and global academic recognition solidify its reputation as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s higher education landscape.
7. Al-Muhibbah Open University
Established by the Al-Muhibbah Institute of ICT & Entrepreneurship Ltd., AOU aims to serve humanity by providing sound and qualitative education embedded with 21st-century skills.
AOU offers a diverse range of undergraduate programs across various faculties, including Social Sciences, Management Sciences, Computing, and Allied Health Sciences. Courses such as Business Administration, Computer Science, Nursing Science, and International Relations are designed to equip students with practical knowledge and skills relevant to today’s job market.
The university’s flexible learning approach combines online and face-to-face methods, ensuring that students can access quality education regardless of their location or schedule constraints. With study centers in Abuja and Bauchi, AOU provides conducive environments equipped with modern facilities like e-libraries, ICT labs, and study halls to enhance the learning experience.
Open University Vs Conventional University: Which Should I Go For?
When choosing between an open university and a conventional university, it’s essential to consider your lifestyle, learning style, and long-term goals. Open universities like NOUN or Miva University offer flexible, self-paced learning ideal for working professionals, stay-at-home parents, or those seeking affordable education without the constraints of a physical classroom.
Conventional universities, on the other hand, provide a structured, campus-based experience with face-to-face lectures, vibrant student life, and access to physical resources. This option suits students who thrive in interactive environments and want the traditional university experience.
Open universities excel in flexibility, lower costs, and wider access, while conventional universities offer immersive learning and networking opportunities. Both award the same recognized degrees in Nigeria—your choice depends on what fits your current lifestyle and future aspirations.
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Do I Need JAMB To Study In An Open University?
Open universities in Nigeria don’t generally require candidates to write the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination to gain admission. Open universities like the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Iconic Open University, and Miva Open University offer alternative admission pathways. However, you will still need to meet the minimum admission requirements set by the university, which typically include having 5 credits at the Ordinary level, including English Language and Mathematics.
While you don’t need to write JAMB exam to get admission, the examination body, JAMB mandates individuals seeking to get admitted to the Nigerian Open University of Nigeria and other open distance learning centres to register via the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board, for record purposes before approaching their preferred institutions to process their admission with their respective JAMB registration numbers.
Applicants are also expected to pay a processing fee to their preferred institution.
Requirements Needed To Study at an Open University
Prospective students must meet the following requirements:
- Undergraduate Admission: Applicants must have at least five credits, including English and Mathematics, in not more than two sittings of WAEC or NECO.
- Direct Entry: Candidates with relevant qualifications such as A-levels, OND, or equivalent can apply for direct entry into 200-level courses. Also, candidates with an HND can apply for admission into 300 level.
Notably, there is no need for JAMB’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for admission to any open university in Nigeria.
Will I Go For NYSC After Attending An Open University In Nigeria?
The Nigerian government has mandated the Federal Ministry of Education to include graduates from open universities in the 1 year NYSC scheme.
Conclusion
I’m sure you are satisfied having found out the best open universities to attend in Nigeria, go and start your application. Cheers!
