Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, commonly written as NUBAPOLY, is a state-owned tertiary institution located along the Kaduna–Zaria road in Kaduna State. The Kaduna State Government established the polytechnic in February 1989 to train technicians and technologists in engineering, applied sciences, environmental studies, business, and administration. The institution takes its name from Alhaji Nuhu Bamalli, a former Nigerian foreign affairs minister, and it currently operates from a main campus on the old UPE site along the Kaduna–Zaria road, with additional campuses at Tudun Wada Gaskiya and Samaru Kataf in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area.
For students preparing to apply for National Diploma (ND) or Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes at NUBAPOLY for the 2026/2027 academic session, two questions come up repeatedly: which courses does the school run, and how much does each course cost per session. This article answers both questions directly and explains the fee structure candidates should expect.
Schools and Departments at Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic
NUBAPOLY organizes its academic programmes under several schools, each housing related departments. The polytechnic runs both National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes, and in some departments it also offers part-time and pre-ND options. The core academic schools are the School of Applied Sciences, the School of Engineering, the School of Environmental Studies, and the School of Management and Business Studies (sometimes grouped with administrative and communication-related departments).
The departments and courses that run at the polytechnic include:
- Computer Science
- Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology
- Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Science Laboratory Technology
- Statistics
- Estate Management and Valuation
- Quantity Surveying
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Mass Communication
- Office Technology and Management
- Public Administration
- Accountancy
- Business Administration and Management
- Marketing
- Banking and Finance
Not every department runs both ND and HND simultaneously in a given session, and admission into HND typically requires an ND with the appropriate grade plus, where applicable, evidence of the mandatory one-year industrial work experience. Applicants should confirm current departmental offerings and available levels of study through the school’s admissions office or portal before making a final course choice, since programme availability can shift slightly from one session to the next depending on accreditation status and staffing.
How School Fees Work at Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic
As a state-government-owned polytechnic, NUBAPOLY charges fees that are considerably lower than what private polytechnics charge, and they are broadly in line with what other Kaduna State-owned tertiary institutions charge. The fee a student pays is not a single flat figure across the school; it depends on several factors.
Level of study. ND1 and HND1 (fresh entry) fees are usually higher than ND2/ND3 or HND2 fees, because fresh students pay one-off charges such as acceptance fees, ID card fees, matriculation gown hire, and departmental registration fees that returning students do not pay again.
Department. Science- and technology-based departments — such as Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, and Science Laboratory Technology — attract higher fees than the average, because these departments carry laboratory, workshop, and practical charges on top of the standard tuition and departmental dues. Departments in the humanities and management cluster, such as Office Technology and Management, Public Administration, and Mass Communication, generally sit at the lower end of the fee scale.
State of origin. Like most state polytechnics in Nigeria, NUBAPOLY charges indigenes of Kaduna State a lower tuition rate than it charges non-indigene Nigerian students. A student who is not from Kaduna State should expect a noticeably higher tuition component, though other charges (accommodation, ID card, library, etc.) remain largely the same regardless of state of origin.
Mode of study. Full-time students on regular ND/HND programmes pay a different fee package from part-time or weekend/overhaul programme students, since part-time and upgrading programmes at the polytechnic are billed per session on a different schedule that reflects the reduced contact hours and Friday/Saturday lecture format used for such programmes.
Accommodation. Fees quoted by most departments cover tuition and compulsory institutional charges only. Hostel accommodation, where available and chosen by the student, is billed separately and is optional for students who prefer off-campus lodging.
Estimated Fee Breakdown by Category
Because polytechnic fees in Nigeria are reviewed periodically by the school’s governing council and can change from one session to another, the table below presents the fee categories and the typical range within which NUBAPOLY students in the affected group usually pay, rather than one fixed number that applies to everyone. Students should treat this as a planning guide and confirm the exact, current figure for their specific department and level from the school’s official fee schedule or bursary department before making payment.
| Fee Category | Applies To | Typical Range (Full Session) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and departmental charges — Kaduna State indigenes | ND/HND, all departments | ₦25,000 – ₦45,000 |
| Tuition and departmental charges — Non-indigenes | ND/HND, all departments | ₦45,000 – ₦75,000 |
| Science/Engineering laboratory and workshop levy | Engineering, Science Lab Technology departments | ₦5,000 – ₦15,000 (added to tuition above) |
| Fresh student one-off charges (acceptance fee, ID card, matriculation) | ND1/HND1 only | ₦10,000 – ₦20,000 |
| Part-time / overhaul (upgrading) programme fee | Part-time ND/HND upgrading students | ₦40,000 – ₦70,000 |
| Hostel accommodation (optional) | Students who choose on-campus lodging | ₦15,000 – ₦30,000 |
These ranges reflect the general pattern of fees at Kaduna State-owned polytechnics and are meant to help candidates and their sponsors budget realistically. The bursary department publishes the definitive, department-specific figures for each session, and payment is typically made through the designated bank or online payment platform indicated on the student’s admission letter.
Additional Costs to Plan For
Beyond the fees paid directly to the polytechnic, students preparing for the 2026/2027 session should budget for a few recurring costs that are not part of the official school fees but are unavoidable in practice. These include the cost of departmental practical materials (particularly in engineering and science laboratory departments), textbooks and handouts, transport to and from the Zaria campuses, and feeding, whether the student stays in a hostel or lives off campus. Students in professional-leaning departments such as Accountancy, Banking and Finance, and Estate Management and Valuation may also need to budget separately for relevant professional body registration or examination fees later in their programme, since these are billed independently by the professional bodies concerned and not by the polytechnic.
How to Confirm the Exact Fee for a Chosen Course
Because fee schedules are reviewed and can be adjusted by the polytechnic’s management before each new session, the most reliable way to get the exact amount for a specific department and level is to check directly with the school rather than relying solely on estimates. Applicants can do this by checking the official NUBAPOLY website for the fee schedule attached to admission offers, visiting the bursary or admissions office in person at the Zaria campus, or contacting the department they intend to study in, since departmental secretaries usually have the most current figure for that department’s laboratory or practical charges. Newly admitted students typically receive a personalized fee breakdown alongside their admission letter, which remains the most accurate source for that individual’s payment obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic charge the same fees for ND and HND programmes?
No. HND fees are generally higher than ND fees in the same department, and HND1 fresh students also pay the one-off fresh-student charges that returning students do not pay.
Do indigenes of Kaduna State pay less than non-indigenes?
Yes. As with most state-government-owned polytechnics in Nigeria, Kaduna State indigenes pay a lower tuition rate than students from other states, while other institutional charges remain largely uniform.
Which departments are the most expensive at NUBAPOLY?
Engineering and science-based departments — particularly Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, and Science Laboratory Technology — tend to cost more per session because of laboratory and workshop levies attached to their tuition.
Is hostel accommodation included in the school fees?
No. Hostel accommodation is billed separately from tuition and departmental charges, and it is optional for students who prefer to live off campus.
Can candidates pay school fees before they receive admission?
No. Fees are paid only after an applicant receives a formal admission offer, since payment before admission carries the risk of loss with no guarantee of a placement.