Prime Polytechnic, Jida Bassa is a privately owned polytechnic located along the Lokoja-Ajaokuta expressway in Kogi State, close to the Ajaokuta Steel Complex. Established in 2015 and accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the institution runs National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes across engineering, science, information technology, and business-related fields. This article lists every course offered at Prime Polytechnic by school or department, explains how the institution structures its fees, and gives prospective students the practical information they need before applying for the 2026/2027 academic session.
About Prime Polytechnic, Jida Bassa
Prime Polytechnic positions itself as an institution of international standard, approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria to run technical and vocational education programmes. It trains students for both employment and entrepreneurship, and it also offers a route into university education through IJMB and JUPEB programmes, which allow candidates to gain direct entry admission into a university without sitting the UTME. The polytechnic runs full-time ND and HND programmes, along with remedial and Pre-ND options for candidates who need to strengthen their academic background before starting a diploma course.
Courses Offered at Prime Polytechnic
Prime Polytechnic organises its academic departments under four schools. Each school groups related courses together, and a student’s fee, workshop requirements, and departmental structure depend on which school their course falls under.
School of Engineering
| Department | Programme Level |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering | ND/HND |
| Electrical/Electronics Engineering | ND/HND |
| Mechanical Engineering | ND/HND |
| Foundry Engineering Technology | ND/HND |
Engineering courses at Prime Polytechnic combine classroom instruction with laboratory and workshop practicals, which is a major reason engineering departments generally carry higher fees than non-technical departments across most polytechnics, including Prime Polytechnic.
School of Science and Environmental Studies
| Department | Programme Level |
|---|---|
| Hotel and Catering Management | ND/HND |
| Science Laboratory Technology | ND/HND |
| Statistics | ND/HND |
| Tourism (Leisure and Tourism Management) | ND/HND |
Science Laboratory Technology in particular requires access to laboratory equipment and consumables, which typically attracts a slightly higher fee component than purely theoretical courses in the same school.
School of Information Technology
| Department | Programme Level |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | ND/HND |
| Computer Operation | ND/Certificate |
| Computer Assembly and Repairs | ND/Certificate |
| Networking | ND/Certificate |
The School of Information Technology serves students who want a full ND/HND qualification in Computer Science as well as those who prefer shorter, skill-focused certificate courses in computer operation, hardware assembly and repair, or networking.
School of Business Studies
| Department | Programme Level |
|---|---|
| Financial Studies (Accountancy) | ND/HND |
| Business Studies (Business Administration and Management) | ND/HND |
| Secretarial Studies | ND/HND |
| Marketing | ND/HND |
| Public Administration | ND/HND |
The School of Business Studies is the largest of the four schools by number of departments and tends to attract the highest enrolment, since business-related qualifications remain in steady demand among Nigerian polytechnic applicants.
Pre-Degree and University Entry Programmes
In addition to its diploma departments, Prime Polytechnic runs a Remedial/Pre-ND programme for candidates whose O-Level results or entry scores fall short of direct ND admission, and it offers IJMB and JUPEB programmes that prepare candidates for direct entry admission into university degree programmes without going through UTME.
How Prime Polytechnic School Fees Are Structured
Prime Polytechnic, like most privately owned Nigerian polytechnics, does not publish a single fixed amount that applies uniformly to every course. Available information places overall tuition in the range of roughly ₦100,000 to ₦200,000 per session, though the exact figure a student pays depends on several factors:
- School and department – Engineering and science-based departments, which require laboratory access, workshop tools, and technical materials, typically cost more per session than business or administrative departments that rely mainly on classroom instruction.
- Programme level – HND fees generally run higher than ND fees, since HND coursework is more advanced and often involves more specialised equipment or project work.
- New versus returning student status – Freshers pay a one-time acceptance fee and other first-time registration charges in addition to tuition, while returning students pay tuition and standard recurring charges only.
- Programme type – Full ND/HND diploma programmes cost more overall than the shorter certificate-based IT courses such as Computer Operation or Networking, which run for a shorter duration.
Because Prime Polytechnic is a private institution, its management reserves the right to review fees between sessions, and the amount advertised for one intake may not automatically apply to the next. The reliable way to confirm the exact fee for a specific course and level is to contact the school’s admissions office directly or check the fee schedule on the official student portal once admission is offered.
What the Fees Typically Cover
Tuition at Prime Polytechnic, in line with standard private polytechnic practice, is expected to cover the following components:
- Tuition – The core academic charge for lectures and departmental instruction across the session.
- Registration fee – A recurring charge for enrolling into courses each session.
- Acceptance fee – A one-time, non-refundable charge paid by newly admitted students to confirm and secure their admission slot.
- Laboratory and workshop charges – Applicable mainly to Engineering, Science Laboratory Technology, and other practical-heavy departments.
- Examination fee – Covers internal tests, semester examinations, and NBTE-recognised assessments for ND and HND students.
- Library and ICT access – Minor recurring charges covering access to the school library and computer facilities.
Students should also budget separately for accommodation, textbooks, project materials in their final year, and personal upkeep, none of which are included in the standard tuition figure.
Admission Requirements
To gain admission into any ND department at Prime Polytechnic, a candidate generally needs:
- At least five credit passes in relevant O-Level subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, from WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination body.
- A JAMB UTME registration with Prime Polytechnic selected as the institution of choice, since the school participates in the standard JAMB admission process for its diploma programmes.
- Subject combinations relevant to the specific department, since Engineering and Science Laboratory Technology require stronger science subject backgrounds than Business Studies or Secretarial Studies.
Candidates who do not immediately meet the direct ND entry requirements can apply for the Remedial/Pre-ND programme, while those targeting university admission through IJMB or JUPEB should confirm the specific entry requirements for those programmes with the admissions office, as they differ from standard ND requirements.
Steps to Confirm and Pay School Fees
Prospective and returning students should follow these steps when preparing to pay fees for the 2026/2027 session:
- Confirm admission status and course placement through the official Prime Polytechnic student portal.
- Request or check the current fee schedule for the exact department and level, since fees differ across schools and between ND and HND.
- Generate the appropriate payment invoice or reference through the portal before making any payment.
- Complete payment through the official channel indicated on the portal, and avoid paying through unofficial agents or unverified bank accounts.
- Print or save the payment receipt, as this is required during registration and departmental clearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Prime Polytechnic charge the same fee for every course?
No. Fees vary by school and department, with Engineering and Science-based courses generally costing more than Business Studies or Secretarial Studies because of the additional laboratory and workshop components involved.
Is Prime Polytechnic accredited?
Yes. Prime Polytechnic is officially accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to run its National Diploma and Higher National Diploma programmes.
Can a student gain university admission through Prime Polytechnic without ND/HND?
Yes. Prime Polytechnic runs IJMB and JUPEB programmes, which allow candidates to earn direct entry admission into a university degree programme without sitting UTME.
Does Prime Polytechnic use JAMB for its diploma programmes?
Yes. Candidates apply for ND admission through JAMB UTME registration with Prime Polytechnic selected as their institution of choice, in line with the standard national admission process for polytechnics.
How can a student get the exact fee for a specific course?
By contacting the Prime Polytechnic admissions office directly or checking the fee schedule on the official student portal after admission, since the school does not publish one fixed amount that applies to every department.