The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, commonly known as TOPS, is a state government-owned polytechnic located in Saki, Oyo State. It gained autonomy in 2014 after operating as a satellite campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and now runs its own National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes across several schools and departments. As a state-owned institution, TOPS charges fees that are considerably lower than what private polytechnics demand, and its fee structure follows a fixed pattern that applies uniformly to every course offered, with the only variation being indigene or non-indigene status and level of study. This article sets out exactly what a student at TOPS pays, across every ND and HND programme, for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Courses Offered at The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki
TOPS runs programmes through several schools, covering engineering, environmental studies, science, financial management, and business and communication. The full list of accredited ND and HND courses at the institution includes:
- Accounting
- Banking and Finance
- Business Administration and Management
- Public Administration
- Local Government and Development Studies
- Statistics
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Insurance
- Transport Planning and Management
- Civil Engineering
- Civil Engineering Technology
- Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Agricultural Engineering and Technology
- Building Technology
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Estate Management and Valuation
- Quantity Surveying
- Surveying and Geoinformatics
- Science Laboratory Technology
- Computer Science
- Agricultural Technology
- Animal Health and Production Technology
- Horticultural Technology
- Food Science and Technology
- Production Technology
As with the tuition rates at many state polytechnics, TOPS does not charge different tuition for different departments. A student studying Civil Engineering Technology pays the same base tuition as a student studying Public Administration or Food Science and Technology. What determines the actual amount payable is the student’s residency status within Oyo State and the level or programme category the student falls under, not the course of study itself.
Tuition Fee Structure at TOPS
TOPS operates a two-part tuition payment system, where a student pays 60 percent of the fee at the start of registration and the remaining 40 percent later in the session. The total combined amount differs depending on whether the student is an indigene of Oyo State or a non-indigene, and depending on the specific diploma category the student is enrolled in. The table below breaks down the tuition for each category for the 2026/2027 session.
| Programme Category | Oyo State Indigene (Total) | Non-Indigene (Total) |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Nursing/Related Professional Programme (DNP), 1st Year | ₦55,331 | ₦60,331 |
| DNP, 2nd Year | ₦52,902 | ₦57,902 |
| ND1 (Full-Time) | ₦44,833 | ₦49,833 |
| ND2 (Full-Time) | ₦38,729 | ₦43,729 |
| HND1 (Full-Time) | ₦51,288 | ₦56,288 |
| HND2 (Full-Time) | ₦45,293 | ₦50,293 |
| General/Other Category | ₦52,667 | ₦57,667 |
Each of these totals is made up of a 60 percent instalment payable at registration and a 40 percent instalment payable later in the session. For example, an ND1 indigene student pays ₦26,900 as the first instalment and ₦17,933 as the second instalment, adding up to ₦44,833 for the full year. Non-indigene students pay a consistently higher rate across every category, generally between ₦3,000 and ₦5,000 more than indigenes, reflecting the standard practice at Nigerian state-owned polytechnics of charging a premium to students who are not from the host state.
Why Fees Differ Between ND1, ND2, HND1, and HND2
The tuition amount at TOPS decreases slightly as a student moves from the first year to the second year within the same diploma category. ND1 students pay more than ND2 students, and HND1 students pay more than HND2 students. This pattern reflects the fact that first-year students typically incur additional onboarding costs bundled into their tuition, such as orientation and initial registration processing, which are not repeated once a student progresses to the second year of the same programme. HND tuition, on the other hand, is set higher overall than ND tuition, since Higher National Diploma programmes are more advanced, more specialized, and require more intensive practical and technical training than the entry-level National Diploma.
Acceptance Fee for New Students
Every newly admitted student at TOPS, regardless of the course or department offered, pays a mandatory acceptance fee of ₦20,000. This fee confirms that the student has accepted the admission offer and intends to proceed with registration. The acceptance fee is non-refundable and is charged separately from the tuition fee outlined above. It applies once, at the point of first admission, and is not paid again in subsequent years of study.
Hostel Accommodation Fee
TOPS provides hostel accommodation to interested students at a fee of ₦10,000 per academic year. This fee covers bed space allocation and basic maintenance of the hostel facility. Given how low this figure is compared to accommodation costs at private institutions, hostel accommodation at TOPS remains one of the more accessible aspects of studying at the polytechnic, though space is limited and allocated based on availability, so early registration improves a student’s chances of securing a bed space.
Part-Time Programme Fees
TOPS also runs part-time ND and HND programmes for students who are unable to enrol as full-time students, often because they are already working or could not secure full-time admission through the regular UTME process. Part-time tuition at TOPS is generally estimated to fall between ₦60,000 and ₦75,000 per session for both ND and HND part-time students. Unlike the full-time fee schedule, the exact part-time tuition figure is not always published as precisely by the institution, since part-time programmes are internally administered and fees can vary slightly depending on the department and current session. Prospective part-time students are advised to confirm the specific figure directly from the school’s bursary department or academic office before making payment.
Total Estimated Cost for a New Full-Time Student
Combining the components above gives a clear picture of what a newly admitted full-time ND1 student should expect to pay in total for the first year at TOPS:
- Acceptance fee (one-time): ₦20,000
- ND1 tuition (Oyo State indigene): ₦44,833, or ₦49,833 for non-indigenes
- Hostel accommodation (optional): ₦10,000
For an Oyo State indigene choosing to stay in the polytechnic’s hostel, the total first-year cost comes to approximately ₦74,833. For a non-indigene doing the same, the total comes to approximately ₦79,833. These figures do not include admission form charges, departmental practical fees that may apply to technical courses such as Civil Engineering Technology or Science Laboratory Technology, textbooks, feeding, or personal transportation, all of which a student should budget for separately.
Admission Requirements for TOPS
To gain admission into any ND programme at TOPS, a candidate needs at least five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, obtained from WASC, SSCE, NECO, NABTEB, or GCE, in not more than two sittings. Candidates must also sit the UTME and meet the departmental cut-off mark set by the polytechnic, which for the 2026/2027 admission cycle stands at 120, one of the more accessible cut-off marks among Nigerian polytechnics. For HND admission, a candidate must hold a National Diploma with at least a lower credit grade in the relevant field of study from an accredited polytechnic or college of technology. In some cases, candidates with a pass grade in their ND, combined with a minimum of two years of relevant post-qualification work experience, may also be considered for HND admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does TOPS charge different fees for different courses?
No. Tuition at TOPS follows a fixed structure based on diploma level (ND1, ND2, HND1, HND2) and indigene status, not on the specific course a student is offered. A Civil Engineering Technology student and an Accounting student in the same category and level pay the same tuition.
How much more do non-indigenes pay compared to Oyo State indigenes?
Non-indigenes typically pay between ₦3,000 and ₦5,000 more than Oyo State indigenes across every diploma category, reflecting the standard indigene-versus-non-indigene fee gap common at Nigerian state polytechnics.
Is the acceptance fee part of the tuition fee?
No. The ₦20,000 acceptance fee is charged separately from tuition and is a one-time, non-refundable payment made only by newly admitted students to confirm their admission.
How much is hostel accommodation at TOPS?
Hostel accommodation costs ₦10,000 per academic year and is optional, covering bed space and basic maintenance for students who choose to live on campus.