Are you planning to study at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi? One of the most critical things to understand before enrolling is the financial commitment required. Whether you're a new student or a returning undergraduate, this blog post gives you a full breakdown of the school fees and acceptance fees at ATBU for the 2024/2025 academic year.
Located in Bauchi, the capital city of Bauchi State, ATBU is one of Nigeria’s foremost federal universities of technology. With various faculties ranging from engineering and sciences to medicine and veterinary medicine, the university has built a reputation for academic excellence. However, the cost of education varies across departments, and knowing exactly what to pay and when can make your transition into university life smoother.
Understanding ATBU Acceptance Fee for Freshers
What Is the Acceptance Fee?
The acceptance fee is the amount paid by newly admitted students to confirm their admission and secure their slot at the university. It is a non-refundable fee and must be paid before any other school activities such as course registration or hostel allocation.
How Much Is the ATBU Acceptance Fee?
For the 2024/2025 academic session, the ATBU acceptance fee is ₦40,000. This applies to all freshers, regardless of their course of study or faculty.
Why You Should Pay Early
Failure to pay the acceptance fee within the stipulated deadline may lead to automatic forfeiture of your admission. Hence, newly admitted students are advised to pay the acceptance fee immediately after receiving their admission offer from JAMB or the university portal.
ATBU School Fees for 2024/2025: Full Breakdown
The school fees at ATBU vary depending on the faculty and whether you are a new or returning student. Here's a comprehensive guide.
1. For Freshers (New Students)
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All Faculties (General Rate): ₦100,700
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College of Medical Sciences: ₦171,000
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine: ₦115,200
The higher fees for medical and veterinary students reflect the cost of specialized equipment, laboratory facilities, and professional training.
2. For Returning Students
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All Faculties (General Rate): ₦84,900
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College of Medical Sciences: ₦145,200
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine: ₦141,000
These reduced fees for returning students exclude one-time charges such as matriculation, ID card issuance, and some administrative costs that are only applicable to first-year students.
Additional Charges Embedded in the School Fees
While the figures mentioned are consolidated, they include multiple line items such as:
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Library fee
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ICT fee
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Sports development levy
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Examination fee
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Medical services
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Identity card (freshers only)
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Matriculation fee (freshers only)
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Laboratory fee (for science-related courses)
This breakdown may vary slightly based on departmental requirements.
How to Pay ATBU School Fees and Acceptance Fee
All fees at ATBU are paid via the official student portal. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Login to Student Portal
Visit https://atbu.safrecords.com/login and log in with your matriculation number or JAMB registration number and your password.
Step 2: Generate RRR
Navigate to the “Fees Payment” section and generate your Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR).
Step 3: Make Payment
Choose your payment method:
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Online: Pay directly using a debit/ATM card on the Remita platform.
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Bank: Take your RRR to any commercial bank in Nigeria and make payment over the counter.
Step 4: Print Receipts
After payment, return to the portal to confirm your payment and print your receipt and clearance slip for documentation.
What Happens After Payment?
Once you pay your acceptance fee, you can proceed with:
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Clearance at your faculty
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Hostel allocation (if required)
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Course registration
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Orientation and matriculation
Returning students who pay their school fees can immediately proceed to register courses for the session.
ATBU Medical and Veterinary Students: Why Are Fees Higher?
If you're enrolling in the College of Medical Sciences or Veterinary Medicine, you may wonder why your fees are higher. Here’s why:
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Lab Equipment: These faculties require highly specialized lab facilities, which are costly to maintain.
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Clinical Rotations: Medical students participate in clinical training in hospitals, which incurs additional costs.
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Field Work: Veterinary students engage in animal handling and practical fieldwork, which comes with resource-intensive logistics.
Are There Instalment Payment Options?
At the time of writing, freshers must pay in full, especially the acceptance fee and the initial school fee, before registration. However, some faculties allow returning students to pay in two instalments, subject to approval by the department or Students’ Affairs.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
ATBU offers several opportunities for students to get financial relief:
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Merit Scholarships for students with high CGPAs
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Federal Government Bursaries
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Departmental Scholarships from alumni bodies or partner industries
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State Scholarships (for indigenes of Bauchi or other states)
Students are encouraged to visit the Students’ Affairs office regularly for announcements on scholarship openings.
Budgeting Tips for New and Returning Students
To make your stay at ATBU financially sustainable:
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Plan Ahead: Set aside money before each session begins.
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Avoid Late Payments: Penalties can increase your expenses.
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Minimize Luxuries: Focus on academic essentials.
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Share Accommodation: Off-campus living can be affordable if costs are shared.
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Use Campus Facilities: Save money by using the library, clinic, and recreational facilities on campus.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is the ATBU acceptance fee refundable?
A: No. The acceptance fee is non-refundable and must be paid by all newly admitted students.
Q: Can I pay my school fees in instalments?
A: Only returning students may be allowed to pay in instalments. Freshers must pay in full.
Q: What happens if I don’t pay my fees on time?
A: Late payment can attract penalties or prevent access to course registration, exams, and even hostel allocation.
Q: Do school fees vary by course?
A: Yes. Medical and veterinary students pay higher fees than students in other faculties.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the school fees and acceptance fee structure at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) is crucial for academic and financial planning. For the 2024/2025 session, all freshers are expected to pay ₦40,000 as acceptance fee and between ₦100,700 and ₦171,000 as school fees, depending on their faculty. Returning students pay slightly less, ranging from ₦84,900 to ₦145,200.
All payments should be made through the university’s student portal. Don’t wait till the deadline—early payment secures your place and helps you avoid late registration hassles.
