Port-Harcourt Polytechnic, now officially named Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic (CEAPOLY), is a Rivers State-owned institution located in Rumuola, Port Harcourt. Many people still search for it under its older name, and the institution is also referred to informally as Elechi Amadi Polytechnic. This article sets out the school fees payable across the different courses offered at the polytechnic for the 2026/2027 academic session, along with the admission charges, course list, and payment process students need to know.
Background on Port-Harcourt Polytechnic (Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic)
The institution started out as the Rivers State College of Arts and Science before the Rivers State House of Assembly renamed it Port Harcourt Polytechnic in 2016. It has since been renamed again to Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in honour of the celebrated Rivers State writer and academic. The polytechnic is accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and runs National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes across engineering, business, science, environmental, and general studies fields, alongside full-time, part-time, and weekend options for students who cannot commit to a standard daytime schedule.
Being a state-funded polytechnic, tuition at CEAPOLY stays well below what students pay in private polytechnics or degree-awarding private universities in Rivers State, which makes it a preferred choice for many Port Harcourt-based and Rivers State students seeking technical and vocational qualifications.
Schools and Courses Offered at Port-Harcourt Polytechnic
CEAPOLY organises its academic programmes under several schools and departments. The main schools include the School of Engineering Technology, the School of Business and Administration Studies, the School of Environmental Sciences, the School of Financial Studies, the School of Information and Communication Technology, and the School of Foundation and General Studies. Under these schools, the polytechnic runs the following courses at ND and HND level:
- Accountancy
- Banking and Finance
- Business Administration and Management
- Office Technology Management
- Marketing
- Public Administration
- Civil Engineering Technology
- Electrical/Electronics Engineering Technology
- Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Computer Science
- Statistics
- Science Laboratory Technology
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Estate Management
- Mass Communication (offered under some sessions, subject to NBTE accreditation status)
Each department admits students into a two-year ND programme first. After the ND, students typically undergo a mandatory one-year Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) before qualifying to apply for the two-year HND programme, provided they meet the required grade point at ND level and secure a relevant work placement.
School Fees Breakdown for ND and HND Programmes
School fees at CEAPOLY vary depending on the department, the level of study (ND or HND), and whether a student is a fresher or a returning student. Engineering, computer-based, and laboratory-heavy courses generally attract slightly higher departmental and practical charges than business, social science, and management courses, because of the cost of maintaining workshops, laboratories, and technical equipment.
| Category | Fresher (ND/HND 1) Fee (approx.) | Returning Student Fee (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Management courses (Accountancy, Business Admin, Marketing, Office Tech. Mgt, Public Admin, Banking & Finance) | ₦55,000 – ₦75,000 | ₦45,000 – ₦60,000 |
| Engineering and technology courses (Civil, Electrical/Electronics, Mechanical Engineering Technology) | ₦65,000 – ₦85,000 | ₦50,000 – ₦70,000 |
| Science and computing courses (Computer Science, Statistics, Science Laboratory Technology) | ₦60,000 – ₦80,000 | ₦48,000 – ₦65,000 |
| Environmental courses (Urban and Regional Planning, Estate Management) | ₦58,000 – ₦78,000 | ₦46,000 – ₦62,000 |
These figures represent the total session or semester bill bundled from tuition, registration, and departmental charges, and remain generally below ₦100,000 per session across most departments, which keeps CEAPOLY within the affordable range for a state polytechnic. Because fees can be reviewed by the polytechnic management from one session to another, admitted students should confirm the exact current figure for their specific department through the official CEAPOLY student portal before making any payment.
What the School Fees Cover
The tuition figure paid each session at CEAPOLY typically bundles several components into a single payment, rather than being a flat charge for classes alone. This normally includes:
- Tuition fee for the semester or session
- Registration fee
- Library fee
- ICT and e-learning fee
- Departmental/practical fee (higher for engineering, science, and computer-based departments due to laboratory and workshop use)
- Sports and student welfare fee
- Examination fee
- Security fee
Fresh students carry an additional one-time cost in their first session that returning students do not pay again, which includes the acceptance fee, identity card fee, and matriculation-related charges.
Acceptance Fee and Admission-Related Charges
Once a candidate is offered admission into any ND or HND programme at CEAPOLY, an acceptance fee combined with the ID card charge is required, and this typically totals around ₦10,000. This fee confirms that the candidate accepts the offer of admission and must be paid before the student can proceed to pay the main school fees or begin course registration.
Before admission, applicants also pay an application form fee to apply for a place at the polytechnic. This form currently costs about ₦12,000 to ₦14,000, with an additional ₦2,500 charged for the online portal and ₦300 for bank transaction charges, bringing the total application cost to roughly ₦15,000 depending on the payment channel used.
Admission Requirements for ND and HND Programmes
Admission into the National Diploma (ND) programme at CEAPOLY follows the general entry requirements set by the National Board for Technical Education and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Candidates need:
- A minimum of four or five credit passes in relevant O’Level subjects (WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB), including English Language and Mathematics, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- A JAMB UTME score that meets the polytechnic’s approved cut-off mark for their chosen department, since some technical and business courses set slightly different minimum scores.
- Participation in the polytechnic’s post-UTME screening exercise, where required, as part of the final admission process.
Admission into the Higher National Diploma (HND) programme requires a National Diploma in a related field, typically with at least a Lower Credit classification, along with a completed one-year industrial attachment (SIWES). Direct entry into HND without an ND is not permitted; candidates must first complete their ND and attachment before applying for HND admission.
Part-Time and Weekend Programme Fees
CEAPOLY also runs part-time and weekend ND programmes for candidates who work or cannot attend regular daytime classes. The part-time and weekend track runs for two and a half years across five semesters, compared to the standard two years for full-time students. Because part-time programmes are internally coordinated by the polytechnic rather than centrally regulated in the same way as full-time admissions, fees for part-time and weekend courses tend to run somewhat higher than the full-time equivalent and can vary more from department to department. Prospective part-time students should confirm the exact fee for their chosen course directly from the admissions office or the polytechnic portal before registering, since these figures are set independently of the full-time fee schedule.
How to Pay Port-Harcourt Polytechnic School Fees
Payment of both application and school fees at CEAPOLY follows an online e-payment process:
- Visit the official CEAPOLY portal at portharcourtpoly.edu.ng or the e-campus portal at ecampus.portharcourtpoly.edu.ng.
- Log in using the applicant or student registration details provided after admission.
- Generate a transaction ID or Remita Retrieval Reference for the specific fee being paid, such as acceptance fee, school fees, or application fee.
- Complete payment online using a Verve or MasterCard through the Interswitch-enabled payment option, or take the generated reference to any of the approved banks, including Zenith Bank, First Bank, UBA, Fidelity Bank, Sterling Bank, FCMB, or Union Bank, and pay using the Pay Direct option.
- Print or save the payment receipt and submit it to the Bursary Department for verification where required, before proceeding to course registration.
Students should complete payment ahead of the deadline set for each session, since late payment can attract additional charges or delay course registration and examination clearance.
Other Costs to Budget For
Beyond the official school fees, students at CEAPOLY typically plan for a few additional expenses that fall outside the tuition bill:
- Accommodation: The polytechnic does not run on-campus hostel facilities, so students budget for off-campus lodging within Rumuola or nearby parts of Port Harcourt.
- Textbooks and practical materials: Engineering, science, and computer-based departments require students to purchase drawing sets, lab coats, or basic tools depending on the course.
- SIWES-related expenses: Students proceeding to the industrial attachment year between ND and HND budget for transport, logbooks, and, in some cases, accommodation near their attachment placement.
- Feeding and transportation: As with any tertiary institution located within a busy city like Port Harcourt, feeding and daily transport form a notable part of a student’s overall session budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current name of Port-Harcourt Polytechnic?
The institution is now officially known as Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic (CEAPOLY), though it is still widely referred to as Port-Harcourt Polytechnic or Elechi Amadi Polytechnic.
How much is the school fees at Port-Harcourt Polytechnic for fresh students?
Fresh ND and HND students generally pay between ₦55,000 and ₦85,000 per session depending on their department, with engineering and science-based courses on the higher end of that range.
How much is the acceptance fee at CEAPOLY?
The acceptance fee, combined with the ID card charge, totals approximately ₦10,000 and is paid after a candidate accepts an offer of admission.
Does Port-Harcourt Polytechnic have on-campus hostels?
No. The polytechnic does not currently provide on-campus accommodation, so students arrange lodging off-campus.
Can I proceed to HND immediately after ND at CEAPOLY?
No. Students must complete a one-year SIWES industrial attachment after the ND programme before they can apply for admission into the HND programme.