Foundation Polytechnic, Ikot Ekpene, is a privately owned polytechnic in Akwa Ibom State offering National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes across engineering, management, and science-related fields. Anyone planning to apply for the 2026/2027 academic session needs a clear picture of which courses the polytechnic runs, what each course requires for admission, and how much tuition and other charges cost. This article lays out that information directly, department by department.
About Foundation Polytechnic, Ikot Ekpene
Foundation Polytechnic is located at Ikot Idem, along the Ikot Idem Offikono Road in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. The institution, also referred to by its older name Foundation College of Technology, was established in 2013 and received accreditation for its programmes from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) shortly after. As a privately owned polytechnic, it operates independently of state or federal government funding, and its fee structure reflects the running costs typical of privately managed tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The polytechnic organises its academic departments into three faculties: Engineering Technology, Management Technology, and Science & Technology. Each faculty houses departments offering specific ND and, in some cases, HND programmes.
List of Courses Offered at Foundation Polytechnic
Faculty of Engineering Technology
This faculty runs two departments:
- Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology — offers National Diploma (ND) in Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Electrical/Electronic Engineering (Electronics/Telecoms).
- Computer Engineering Technology — offers National Diploma (ND) in Computer Engineering and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computer Engineering.
Faculty of Management Technology
This faculty runs three departments, each currently offering a National Diploma programme:
- Accountancy — National Diploma in Accountancy.
- Business Administration & Management — National Diploma in Business Administration and Management.
- Public Administration — National Diploma in Public Administration.
Faculty of Science & Technology
This faculty runs three departments:
- Computer Science — offers National Diploma (ND) in Computer Science, and two Higher National Diploma options: HND in Software and Web Development, and HND in Networking and Cloud Computing.
- Statistics — offers National Diploma in Statistics and Higher National Diploma in Statistics.
- Science Laboratory Technology — currently runs short certificate programmes rather than a full ND, including Certificate in Oil & Gas Treatment and Analysis, Certificate in Paint Production & Technology, and Certificate in Soap & Detergent Production.
The table below summarises the full spread of programmes by faculty and department.
| Faculty | Department | Programmes Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technology | Electrical/Electronic Engineering | ND and HND (Electronics/Telecoms) |
| Engineering Technology | Computer Engineering | ND and HND |
| Management Technology | Accountancy | ND |
| Management Technology | Business Administration & Management | ND |
| Management Technology | Public Administration | ND |
| Science & Technology | Computer Science | ND, HND (Software and Web Development), HND (Networking and Cloud Computing) |
| Science & Technology | Statistics | ND and HND |
| Science & Technology | Science Laboratory Technology | Certificate programmes (Oil & Gas Treatment and Analysis, Paint Production and Technology, Soap and Detergent Production) |
Candidates should note that HND admission at Foundation Polytechnic is not automatically available in every department in a given session, since HND intake typically depends on demand and the polytechnic’s current NBTE-approved HND allocations. It is advisable to confirm directly with the Admissions Office or the polytechnic’s official portal which departments are actively receiving HND applications for the 2026/2027 session.
Admission Requirements for ND Programmes
Admission requirements at Foundation Polytechnic vary slightly by department, since each field expects a slightly different mix of O’level subjects, but the general framework across all ND programmes includes:
- A minimum of five O’level credit passes in WAEC, NECO, GCE, or an equivalent examination, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- English Language and Mathematics as compulsory credits in the five-subject combination for nearly all departments.
- A minimum UTME/JAMB score, generally set at 130 points, with Foundation Polytechnic selected as the candidate’s first choice institution. Candidates who did not originally select the polytechnic as first choice are expected to carry out a Change of Institution on the JAMB portal to make Foundation Polytechnic their first choice before applying.
- Successful participation in the polytechnic’s Post-UTME screening exercise.
Beyond these general conditions, each department specifies its own combination of relevant O’level subjects, summarised below.
| Department | Compulsory O’level Subjects | Additional Subject Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | One subject from Biology/Agricultural Science, Further Mathematics, Technical Drawing, or a relevant trade subject |
| Computer Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | One subject from Biology/Agricultural Science, Further Mathematics, Technical Drawing, or a relevant trade subject |
| Computer Science | English, Mathematics, a basic science subject | A pass in Physics is compulsory; two other subjects from Economics, Geography, Government/History, Further Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science, or relevant trade subjects |
| Statistics | English, Mathematics, a basic science subject | Two other subjects from Economics, Geography, Government/History, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science |
| Accountancy | English (not Literature in English), Mathematics | Three subjects from Economics/Commerce, Business Studies, Principles of Accounts, Geography, Government, sciences, or related commercial subjects |
| Business Administration & Management | English (not Literature in English), Mathematics | Three subjects from Economics/Commerce, Business Studies, Principles of Accounts, Geography, Government, or related commercial subjects |
| Public Administration | English (not Literature in English), Mathematics | Three subjects from Economics/Commerce, Business Studies, Principles of Accounts, Geography, Government, or related commercial subjects |
Admission Requirements for HND Programmes
For departments running HND intake, the general entry requirement is an ND certificate, or an equivalent National Innovation Diploma, in a directly related field, obtained with a minimum of Lower Credit grade from an NBTE-accredited institution, plus a minimum of one year of post-ND cognate work experience in the relevant specialisation. Candidates who graduated at ND Pass level, rather than Lower Credit or above, may still be considered for HND admission provided they have accumulated a minimum of two years of post-ND work experience in the relevant field.
School Fees at Foundation Polytechnic
Foundation Polytechnic publishes its school fees schedule directly through its official portal each session, broken down by level and semester. The most recent published schedule, covering the Rain Semester of the 2025/2026 academic session, is structured as follows.
| Level | Tuition (₦) | Development Fee (₦) | Course Form Fee (₦) | Total (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ND 1 | 86,250 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 96,250 |
| ND 2 | 86,250 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 96,250 |
| HND 1 | 91,250 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 101,250 |
| HND 2 | 91,250 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 101,250 |
In addition to the fees above, newly admitted students pay a separate, one-time acceptance fee of ₦15,000, which secures the candidate’s place on the admission list before school fees are due. This acceptance fee is distinct from the tuition, development, and course form charges listed in the semester fee schedule.
Because Foundation Polytechnic is a privately owned institution, fees are reviewed periodically and may shift from one session to the next, so candidates preparing for the 2026/2027 session should confirm the exact, current amount directly from the official polytechnic portal before making payment, rather than relying solely on the previous session’s figures.
How to Pay Foundation Polytechnic School Fees
Foundation Polytechnic requires that fee payment be made through approved bank channels rather than cash payment on campus. Students can pay in one of the following ways:
- Direct bank deposit or transfer into one of the polytechnic’s official bank accounts, held with UBA, FCMB, or First Bank, under the account name “Foundation Polytechnic.”
- Point of Sale (POS) payment, provided the POS terminal can capture the paying student’s name for record purposes.
- ATM card payment through POS at the Bursary Department on campus, for students who prefer to pay in person rather than through a separate bank branch.
Cash payment is explicitly not accepted on campus, so students must use one of the electronic payment channels above. All approved fees are expected to be paid within the first four weeks of resumption for each semester; students who miss this window are charged an additional late payment penalty of ₦5,000.
Additional Costs to Plan For
Beyond the tuition and compulsory charges listed in the official fee schedule, prospective and continuing students should also budget for:
- Post-UTME screening form fee, a modest, separate charge paid before the screening exercise, distinct from school fees paid after admission.
- Hostel accommodation, which is optional and priced separately depending on availability and room arrangement.
- Departmental practical materials, particularly relevant for Engineering Technology students, who may need to cover consumables and workshop materials tied to laboratory and practical sessions.
- Textbooks and study materials, which vary by department and level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum UTME score required for admission into Foundation Polytechnic?
The polytechnic generally sets its minimum UTME cut-off mark at 130 points for ND admission, though candidates should confirm the exact figure for the 2026/2027 session once the Post-UTME screening notice is officially released.
Does Foundation Polytechnic offer HND programmes in every department?
No. HND intake is currently concentrated in specific departments, including Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science (Software and Web Development, and Networking and Cloud Computing), and Statistics. Departments such as Accountancy, Business Administration and Management, and Public Administration currently run only ND programmes.
Is Science Laboratory Technology offered as a full ND programme?
At present, the Department of Science Laboratory Technology at Foundation Polytechnic runs short certificate programmes, namely Oil & Gas Treatment and Analysis, Paint Production and Technology, and Soap and Detergent Production, rather than a full National Diploma.
How much is the total school fee for a fresh ND1 student?
Based on the most recently published fee schedule, an ND1 student pays a total of ₦96,250 in tuition, development, and course form fees per semester, in addition to a separate one-time acceptance fee of ₦15,000 paid upon admission.
Can school fees be paid in cash on campus?
No. Foundation Polytechnic does not accept cash payment on campus. Fees must be paid through bank deposit or transfer, POS payment that captures the student’s name, or ATM card payment through POS at the Bursary Department.