Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, commonly called ATAP or ATAPOLY, is a state-owned institution in Bauchi State established by Edict No. 1 of 1988. It runs academic activities across two campuses — one at Wuntin Dada along Jos Road in Bauchi, and another at Azare — and offers programmes spanning National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND), Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), Pre-ND, Pre-NCE, and degree-in-affiliation options. This article covers the full list of courses available at ATAP and the school fees attached to each level of study for the 2026/2027 academic session.
About Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic
ATAP is organized into seven unit schools spread across its two campuses, covering engineering, environmental studies, science, management, and education-related fields. As a state polytechnic, it receives funding from the Bauchi State Government, which keeps tuition considerably lower than what students would pay at a private polytechnic. The institution also runs a two-tier fee system based on residency status: students who are indigenes of Bauchi State pay less than students who come from other states, a structure common across most state-owned tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
List of Courses Offered at ATAP Bauchi
ATAP offers a wide spread of ND and HND programmes, along with NCE and degree-in-affiliation tracks in education. The National Diploma programmes cover:
- Accountancy
- Agricultural Technology
- Animal Health and Production Technology
- Architectural Technology
- Banking and Finance
- Building Technology
- Business Administration and Management
- Civil Engineering Technology
- Computer Engineering Technology
- Computer Science
- Electrical/Electronics Engineering Technology
- Estate Management and Valuation
- Fisheries Technology
- Forestry Technology
- Geological Technology
- Leisure and Tourism Management
- Library and Information Science
- Local Government Studies
- Marketing
- Mass Communication
- Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Office Technology and Management
- Public Administration
- Quantity Surveying
- Science Laboratory Technology
- Statistics
- Surveying and Geo-Informatics
- Taxation
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Welding and Fabrication Technology
At the HND level, the polytechnic runs a slightly narrower list, made up mainly of programmes with an established ND feeder course. These include:
- Accountancy
- Banking and Finance
- Building Technology
- Business Administration and Management
- Civil Engineering Technology
- Computer Science
- Electrical/Electronics Engineering (Electronics/Communication Option)
- Estate Management and Valuation
- Geological Technology
- Mass Communication
- Mechanical Engineering Technology (Manufacturing Option)
- Public Administration
- Science Laboratory Technology (Biochemistry, Chemistry, Microbiology, and Physics Electronics options)
- Social Development (Social Welfare)
- Statistics
ATAP also runs NCE programmes in fields such as Agricultural Education, Business Education, Integrated Science Education, Mathematics/Computer Education, Mathematics/Physics Education, Early Childhood Care and Education, Primary Education, and Technical Education, along with matching Pre-NCE options for candidates who need to meet entry requirements first. In addition, the polytechnic offers Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degrees in affiliation with a partnering university, covering areas like Accounting Education, Management Education, Computer Science Education, Building Technology Education, Electrical/Electronic Technology Education, Metalwork Technology Education, and Woodwork Technology Education.
ATAP Bauchi School Fees for 2026/2027
School fees at ATAP follow a dual structure based on residency status — indigene and non-indigene — and this applies across ND, HND, and NCE levels. Indigene students of Bauchi State pay a lower rate as part of the state government’s support for local residents, while students from other states pay a higher rate to cover the same tuition.
| Programme/Level | Indigene Fee (₦) | Non-Indigene Fee (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| ND I (Freshers) | 31,000 | 58,000 |
| ND II (Returning) | 24,000 | 43,000 |
| HND I (Freshers) | 44,000 | 79,000 |
| HND II (Returning) | 37,000 | 69,000 |
| NCE I (Freshers) | 31,000 | 59,000 |
| NCE II (Returning) | 26,000 | 50,000 |
| NCE III (Final Year) | — | 50,000 |
These figures represent tuition and core charges for the general run of courses. A small number of ND and HND programmes — particularly those tied to the School of Environmental Technology, such as Estate Management and Valuation, Mass Communication, Social Development, and Business Administration — sometimes carry a slightly adjusted fee bracket compared to core engineering and science-based courses, so the amount for a specific department can differ by a few thousand naira from the general figures above. Students are advised to confirm the exact figure attached to their specific course from the bursary or admission office before payment.
Do All Courses at ATAP Cost the Same?
Not entirely. While ATAP applies a fairly standardized fee bracket by level (ND, HND, or NCE) and residency status, some variation exists between departments. Engineering and technology-based programmes — including Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, and Computer Science — often sit at the higher end of their fee bracket because of laboratory, workshop, and practical-related charges. Management and social science-based courses, such as Business Administration, Public Administration, Estate Management, and Mass Communication, sometimes fall slightly below that figure since they require less equipment-based practical work. The difference across departments is generally modest and does not change the overall affordability of the institution, which remains one of the cheaper state polytechnics in northern Nigeria.
What the School Fees Cover
Tuition paid at ATAP covers the core academic needs of a student for the session, including:
- Course registration and academic levies
- Examination fees and result processing
- Library access
- Laboratory and workshop use for technical and science-based courses
- ICT and computer access where applicable
- General administrative and student support services
Fees outside this core tuition figure — such as accommodation, acceptance charges, and registration form fees — are billed and paid separately from the tuition itself.
Additional Charges at ATAP Bauchi
Beyond tuition, new students should plan for a few one-time or session-specific charges:
- Acceptance Fee — paid once by newly admitted students to confirm their place after receiving an admission offer.
- Registration Fee — a one-time administrative charge paid by freshers during clearance.
- Textbook and Departmental Charges — some departments bundle a small allowance for co-curricular materials or textbooks into the overall new-student fee.
- Hostel Accommodation — optional, and paid separately by students who secure a place in the school’s hostel facilities rather than living off-campus.
How to Pay ATAP School Fees
Fee payment at Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic is processed online, in line with most Nigerian polytechnics that have moved away from direct bank deposits. The general procedure is:
- Log in to the school’s student or admission portal using the registration number or login details provided after admission.
- Generate a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) or payment invoice for the specific fee due — acceptance fee, tuition, or hostel fee.
- Complete payment through the linked bank branch, USSD code, or online card payment channel tied to the Remita platform.
- Confirm that the payment reflects on the portal and print the evidence of payment.
- Proceed with course registration and clearance using the confirmed payment receipt.
Fees are typically expected to be paid before the start of each session or semester, and confirmation of payment is required before a student can complete registration or sit for examinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic a state or federal institution?
It is a state-owned polytechnic funded and managed by the Bauchi State Government.
Do non-indigene students pay more than indigene students?
Yes. Non-indigene students pay significantly more across ND, HND, and NCE levels compared to indigenes of Bauchi State, which is standard practice at most state polytechnics in Nigeria.
Are ATAP school fees the same for every course?
Fees follow a general bracket by level and residency status, though engineering and laboratory-based courses can carry slightly higher charges than management or social science courses due to practical work requirements.
Does ATAP offer part-time or evening programmes?
Yes. The School of Part-Time Studies runs evening classes for candidates who cannot attend the regular morning (full-time) programme.
Where should students confirm the exact fee for their course?
Exact figures for a specific department or level should be confirmed directly from the ATAP bursary or the official student portal, since fees can be reviewed at the start of each academic session.