Heritage Polytechnic, located in Ikot Udota, Eket, Akwa Ibom State, is a private tertiary institution and one of the largest private polytechnics in Nigeria. Founded as a private initiative of Dr. Emmanuel Ekott with support from NGOs and companies operating within the Niger Delta region, the institution began as a Continuing Education Centre in 1994, grew into a college in 2003, and was officially licensed by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in 2010 to award National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) certificates. This article covers all the courses currently offered at Heritage Polytechnic, the admission requirements, and the school fees payable for the 2026/2027 academic session.
About Heritage Polytechnic
Heritage Polytechnic sits on more than 30 hectares of land in the community of Ikot Udota, Eket, roughly three kilometers from the ExxonMobil airstrip in Eket and about a ten-minute drive from the heart of Eket town. The institution runs four major faculties — Engineering, Environmental Studies, Management Sciences, and Science and Technology — and offers more than 32 accredited programmes across full-time, weekend, and online (ODFeL) study modes. This flexibility makes Heritage Polytechnic a practical option for both school leavers pursuing a standard academic path and working adults who need a more adaptable study schedule.
A distinguishing feature of Heritage Polytechnic is its academic partnership with Paul University, Awka, which allows HND graduates to pursue accelerated Top-Up programmes leading to a Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc), and eventually a Master’s (M.Sc) or Doctorate (PhD), without needing to restart their education from scratch at a different institution.
Courses Offered at Heritage Polytechnic
Heritage Polytechnic offers National Diploma (ND) programmes, Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes, and a set of courses available through its Open and Distance Flexible e-Learning (ODFeL) online study mode.
ND Programmes (Full-Time/Weekend)
The following courses are available at ND level, through both full-time and weekend study options:
- Electrical/Electronics Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Science Laboratory Technology
- Statistics
- Mass Communication
- Public Administration
- Building Technology
- Estate Management/Valuation
- Quantity Surveying
- Accountancy
- Business Administration and Management
- Computer Science
- Marketing
HND Programmes (Full-Time/Weekend)
At HND level, Heritage Polytechnic expands its Electrical/Electronics Engineering offering into three specialized options, and adds several science-based courses not available at ND level:
- Electrical/Electronics Engineering (Power/Machine Option)
- Electrical/Electronics Engineering (Control and Instrumentation Option)
- Electrical/Electronics Engineering (Electronics/Telecommunication Option)
- Mass Communication
- Public Administration
- Building Technology
- Estate Management/Valuation
- Quantity Surveying
- Accountancy
- Physics Electronics
- Business Administration and Management
- Computer Science
- Marketing
- Environmental Biology
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
ND/HND Programmes (Online — ODFeL)
For candidates who need a more flexible, remote study option, Heritage Polytechnic runs the following courses at both ND and HND level through its Open and Distance Flexible e-Learning platform:
- Mass Communication
- Marketing
- Accountancy
- Computer Science
- Business Administration
- Public Administration
| Faculty | Representative Courses |
|---|---|
| Engineering | Electrical/Electronics Engineering (Power/Machine, Control & Instrumentation, Electronics/Telecom options), Computer Engineering, Physics Electronics |
| Environmental Studies | Building Technology, Estate Management/Valuation, Quantity Surveying |
| Management Sciences | Accountancy, Business Administration and Management, Marketing, Public Administration |
| Science and Technology | Computer Science, Science Laboratory Technology, Statistics, Environmental Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry |
| Arts and Communication | Mass Communication |
Notice that the HND-level Electrical/Electronics Engineering programme splits into three distinct specializations — Power/Machine, Control and Instrumentation, and Electronics/Telecommunication — giving students the chance to focus on a specific technical track rather than a single general engineering curriculum. Similarly, several science courses such as Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Chemistry are only available at HND level, meaning students typically enter these fields through a related ND programme such as Science Laboratory Technology before progressing.
Admission Requirements at Heritage Polytechnic
To gain admission into Heritage Polytechnic, prospective students generally need to meet the following minimum requirements:
- Five credit passes in WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination body, including English Language and Mathematics, along with three other subjects relevant to the chosen course of study.
- A JAMB UTME score of 180 and above for most courses. Candidates applying for Mass Communication specifically need a higher score of 200 and above, reflecting the more competitive nature of admission into that programme.
- Completion of an application form, which can be obtained either through the school’s official website or directly from the admissions office.
- Attendance at an interview conducted by the school as part of the final admission screening process.
Since Heritage Polytechnic is a private institution, its admission process tends to move faster and involve fewer bureaucratic steps than what is typical at many government-owned polytechnics, though candidates still need to meet the stated UTME and O’Level requirements to be considered.
Heritage Polytechnic School Fees for 2026/2027
As a private polytechnic, Heritage Polytechnic charges tuition directly, without the subsidy that lowers fees at federal and state-owned institutions. Even so, the school has positioned its fees to remain reasonably competitive among private polytechnics in the South-South region, with published figures placing overall tuition somewhere between ₦100,000 and ₦200,000 depending on the specific course, level, and any additional charges that may apply.
The school fees structure at Heritage Polytechnic is organized by level rather than strictly by course, with a slight reduction in cost for students in their second year at both ND and HND stages. The table below sets out the standard fee schedule.
| Level | School Fees |
|---|---|
| ND I (First Year) | ₦100,000 |
| ND II (Second Year) | ₦92,000 |
| HND I (First Year) | ₦100,000 |
| HND II (Second Year) | ₦90,000 |
This pattern, where first-year fees are slightly higher than second-year fees, is common across many Nigerian polytechnics and reflects the additional administrative, orientation, and onboarding costs typically billed to fresh students. Courses that require heavier laboratory or workshop use, such as those under the Engineering and Science and Technology faculties, may carry supplementary practical charges on top of the standard fee listed above, so students in these departments should confirm whether any additional laboratory fees apply to their specific programme.
These figures represent the most recently published fee information available and should be treated as a reliable working estimate. Since Heritage Polytechnic periodically reviews its fee structure in response to inflation and operating costs, and since some fee estimates found online date back to earlier academic sessions, prospective and returning students should always confirm the exact, current amount directly from the school’s official fees page or admissions office before making any payment.
How to Apply and Pay Fees at Heritage Polytechnic
Prospective students generally follow this sequence when applying to and settling fees at Heritage Polytechnic:
- Obtain the application form either through the school’s official website or directly at the admissions office in Ikot Udota, Eket.
- Complete the form with accurate personal, contact, and academic details, ensuring the chosen course matches the required subject combination.
- Register for the UTME through JAMB, meeting the minimum score requirement of 180 (or 200 for Mass Communication), and select Heritage Polytechnic accordingly.
- Attend the school’s admission interview as part of the final screening process.
- Once admitted, pay the applicable school fees for the relevant level (ND I, ND II, HND I, or HND II) through the designated payment channel indicated by the school.
- Retain all payment receipts and confirm with the school’s finance office that fees have been correctly recorded before proceeding to course registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Heritage Polytechnic accredited?
Yes. Heritage Polytechnic has been licensed by the Federal Government of Nigeria and accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) since 2010 for the award of ND and HND certificates.
What is the minimum JAMB score required for Heritage Polytechnic?
The general minimum UTME score is 180, though candidates applying for Mass Communication need a score of 200 and above.
Does Heritage Polytechnic offer online or distance learning courses?
Yes. Heritage Polytechnic runs select ND and HND programmes through its Open and Distance Flexible e-Learning (ODFeL) platform, covering courses such as Mass Communication, Marketing, Accountancy, Computer Science, Business Administration, and Public Administration.
Can HND graduates from Heritage Polytechnic pursue a degree afterward?
Yes. Through the school’s academic partnership with Paul University, Awka, HND graduates can enroll in accelerated Top-Up programmes leading to a B.Sc, and eventually M.Sc or PhD qualifications.
Are school fees the same for all courses at Heritage Polytechnic?
Fees are generally structured by level (ND I, ND II, HND I, HND II) rather than by individual course, though students in laboratory or workshop-intensive programmes under the Engineering and Science and Technology faculties may be billed additional practical charges.