Universities Offering Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria. Medicine and Surgery is the most prestigious, the most competitive, and arguably the most consequential course a Nigerian student can choose to study. The decision to pursue an MBBS degree is not one most students make lightly — it involves six years of intensive academic work, one year of housemanship, and a lifetime commitment to a profession that carries some of the highest responsibilities any human being can hold. But before any of that begins, there is one practical decision that shapes everything that follows: which university you study at.
Not every institution in Nigeria that claims to offer medicine and surgery is fully accredited. Not every medical school produces graduates who pass the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria licensing examination. And not every university with a College of Medicine gives students the clinical training — the hospital experience, the supervised patient contact, the exposure to the full spectrum of human illness — that a genuinely competent doctor needs.
This guide covers every important fact about universities offering medicine and surgery in Nigeria for 2026 — the full accredited list separated by federal, state, and private categories, the JAMB cut off marks and subject combination required, the O’Level requirements, what MDCN accreditation means and why it matters more than NUC approval alone, the duration of the programme, private university fees, and honest answers to the questions every aspiring medical student in Nigeria is asking. Read this completely before you register your JAMB subjects or fill out any university application.
Why MDCN Accreditation Matters More Than NUC Approval for Medicine
For almost every university course in Nigeria, NUC accreditation is the relevant standard — it tells you the programme is recognised by the National Universities Commission and that the degree will be accepted by employers and professional bodies. For medicine and surgery, NUC accreditation is necessary but not sufficient. There are about 43 accredited colleges of medicine in Nigeria, of which 37 have full accreditation while 6 have partial accreditation. The body that specifically accredits medical programmes and licenses doctors in Nigeria is the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria — MDCN — and a medical school must have MDCN accreditation for its graduates to be eligible for licensing as medical doctors in Nigeria.
This distinction matters in practice because some universities have NUC approval to run a medicine programme but have not yet received MDCN accreditation. A student who completes an MBBS degree from such a programme cannot be licensed as a medical doctor until the school’s accreditation is in place. Medicine and Surgery is the most prestigious medical course in Nigeria. Duration is 6 years. The regulatory body is MDCN. Before applying to any university for medicine and surgery — particularly a newer or less well-known institution — verify its MDCN accreditation status directly through the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria’s official records, not just through the university’s own marketing materials.
JAMB Subject Combination for Medicine and Surgery — The Fixed Combination
Before looking at any list of universities, the most important practical fact for any student planning to study medicine and surgery is the JAMB subject combination — because choosing the wrong subjects in UTME automatically disqualifies you from the course regardless of your score. To study Medicine and Surgery in any Nigerian university for the 2026/2027 academic session, you must register and write these UTME subjects: English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Selecting and writing these four subjects in your UTME is mandatory. If you choose a different subject like Mathematics or Economics instead of any of the above, you will be ineligible to study Medicine and Surgery regardless of your score.
The logic behind this fixed combination is straightforward. English Language is needed for communication, comprehension, and interpretation skills — essential for medical training and future doctor-patient interactions. Biology is the foundation of everything you will study in medicine — human anatomy, physiology, cell biology, genetics, and microbiology are all built on biological understanding. Chemistry underpins pharmacology, biochemistry, and the study of how drugs work in the human body. Physics provides the scientific reasoning and quantitative thinking that supports diagnostic imaging, radiation therapy, and medical equipment operation. Together these four subjects are the non-negotiable gateway into medical education in Nigeria. Confirm your subject choices before submitting your UTME registration. Ensure you select English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics — no substitutions.
O’Level Requirements for Medicine and Surgery
In Nigeria, you must have an O’Level score of at least 5 credits including English and Mathematics in order to study medicine and surgery. More specifically, the required O’Level subjects for medicine and surgery are English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics — all at credit level (grade C6 or above) — obtained in not more than two sittings through WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB. Applicants must have at least five credit passes in WAEC, NECO, or equivalent, including these subjects. Many institutions accept results from one or two sittings.
The requirement for all five of these specific subjects — particularly the combination of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics at credit level — is the most demanding O’Level requirement of any course in Nigerian tertiary education. Students who have a D7 or E8 in any of these three science subjects, or who sat some but not all of them, will need to resit through NECO GCE or WAEC GCE to complete their O’Level profile before any medical school application can succeed. There are no shortcuts here — every subject, at credit level, is mandatory.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for Medicine and Surgery 2026
For the 2026/2027 academic session, most Nigerian universities require a minimum JAMB score of 250 to be considered for Medicine and Surgery. However, top institutions often set higher internal cut-off marks. Meeting the cut-off only qualifies you for screening — it does not guarantee admission.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the realistic JAMB cut off marks by institution type, based on the 2026/2027 admission cycle data:
For the 2026/2027 session, top universities such as University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, and University of Nigeria Nsukka set their Medicine and Surgery departmental cut-off mark between 315. Schools like Ahmadu Bello University, Obafemi Awolowo University, and University of Benin set their departmental cut-off for MBBS around 300. State universities including LASU, UNICAL, UNIZIK, and BSU typically maintain MBBS departmental cut-offs between 270.
At the private university level, the picture is different. Igbinedion University requires between 180 and 200 — one of the lowest cut off marks for Medicine anywhere in Nigeria. Madonna University expects between 180 and 200 — similar to Igbinedion in accessibility. Private universities offer more accessible cut off marks, but their fees are significantly higher than public institutions — a trade-off that families need to understand clearly before choosing that route.
The critical fact to hold onto is this: the cut off mark for medicine and surgery serves as a qualifying threshold rather than a guarantee. Meeting this minimum allows you to participate in the Post-UTME screening exercise, where universities further assess candidates through additional examinations and credential verification. Your combined UTME score, Post-UTME performance, and O’Level results determine your final merit position for admission consideration. Medicine and Surgery is the most prestigious and competitive course in the Nigerian university system. For the 2026/2027 academic session, fewer than 5,000 students will gain admission into Medicine across all federal, state, and private universities combined.
Federal Universities Offering Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria 2026
Federal universities are the most competitive and most prestigious institutions offering medicine and surgery in Nigeria. Their affiliation with federal teaching hospitals — which handle the most complex and diverse patient presentations in the country — gives their students the broadest and deepest clinical training available. Here is the confirmed list of federal universities with fully accredited medicine and surgery programmes:
— University of Ibadan (UI) — Ibadan, Oyo State. Nigeria’s first and most prestigious medical school. Affiliated with University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan. Due to its high standards and intellectual calibre, getting accepted to study medicine at UI is extremely tough. The University of Ibadan is the first accredited university in Nigeria. JAMB cut off: 315 and above in practice.
— University of Lagos (UNILAG) — Lagos State. Affiliated with Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). UNILAG is fully staffed with medical professionals to
offer specialised medical education and a conducive setting for health-related research. JAMB cut off: 315 and above in practice.
— Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) — Ile-Ife, Osun State. Affiliated with Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC). JAMB cut off: 300 and above in practice.
— University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) — Enugu State. Affiliated with University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla. JAMB cut off: 315 and above in practice.
— University of Benin (UNIBEN) — Benin City, Edo State. Affiliated with University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). JAMB cut off: 300 and above in practice.
— Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) — Zaria, Kaduna State. Affiliated with Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), the largest teaching hospital in northern Nigeria. JAMB cut off: 300 and above in practice.
— University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) — Kwara State. Affiliated with University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH). JAMB cut off: 280 to 300 in practice.
— University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) — Rivers State. Affiliated with University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). JAMB cut off: 270 to 290 in practice.
— University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) — Borno State. Affiliated with University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). JAMB cut off: 250 to 270 in practice.
— University of Calabar (UNICAL) — Cross River State. Affiliated with University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH). JAMB cut off: 270 and above in practice.
— Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) — Awka, Anambra State. Affiliated with Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi. JAMB cut off: 270 in practice.
— Bayero University Kano (BUK) — Kano State. Affiliated with Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. JAMB cut off: 270 to 290 in practice.
— University of Uyo (UNIUYO) — Akwa Ibom State. Affiliated with University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. JAMB cut off: 260 to 280 in practice.
— University of Jos (UNIJOS) — Plateau State. Affiliated with Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). JAMB cut off: 260 to 280 in practice.
— Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS) — Sokoto State. Affiliated with Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital. JAMB cut off: 250 to 270 in practice.
— Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) — Bauchi State. Affiliated with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital. JAMB cut off: 250 to 270 in practice.
— Federal University of Medical Sciences (FUMS) — Multiple locations. A specialised federal medical university offering medicine and surgery at federal funding levels.
State Universities Offering Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria 2026
State universities offering medicine and surgery provide an important middle pathway — more accessible by JAMB score than most federal institutions, less expensive than private universities, and in many cases affiliated with state teaching hospitals that provide genuine clinical training. Here is the confirmed list of state universities with medicine and surgery programmes:
— Lagos State University (LASU) — Lagos State. Affiliated with Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). JAMB cut off: 270 and above in practice.
— Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) — Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. Affiliated with Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital. JAMB cut off: 250 to 270 in practice.
— Ambrose Alli University (AAU) — Ekpoma, Edo State. Affiliated with Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital. JAMB cut off: 250 to 270 in practice.
— Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) — Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Affiliated with LAUTECH Teaching Hospital. JAMB cut off: 260 to 280 in practice.
— Abia State University (ABSU) — Uturu, Abia State. College of Health Sciences. JAMB cut off: 250 and above in practice.
— Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) — Enugu State. Affiliated with ESUT Teaching Hospital. JAMB cut off: 250 to 270 in practice.
— Delta State University (DELSU) — Abraka, Delta State. Affiliated with Delta State University Teaching Hospital. JAMB cut off: 250 to 270 in practice.
— Rivers State University (RSU) — Port Harcourt, Rivers State. JAMB cut off: 250 and above in practice.
— Ekiti State University (EKSU) — Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Affiliated with Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital. JAMB cut off: 250 and above in practice.
— Benue State University (BSU) — Makurdi, Benue State. Affiliated with Benue State University Teaching Hospital. JAMB cut off: 270 in practice.
— Kogi State University (KSU) — Anyigba, Kogi State. JAMB cut off: 240 to 260 in practice.
— Ebonyi State University (EBSU) — Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. Affiliated with Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki. JAMB cut off: 250 and above in practice.
— Niger Delta University (NDU) — Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State. JAMB cut off: 240 to 260 in practice.
— Osun State University (UNIOSUN) — Osogbo, Osun State. Recently accredited medicine programme. Confirm current MDCN accreditation status before applying.
Private Universities Offering Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria 2026
Private universities offering medicine and surgery are the most accessible by JAMB score requirement but the most expensive in terms of school fees. The key advantages of private medical schools — smaller class sizes, more personalised teaching, modern facilities, and stable academic calendars — come at a substantial financial premium. Here is the confirmed list of private universities with medicine and surgery programmes, along with realistic fee ranges:
— Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) — Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. The institution is among the top 10 private universities in Nigeria that offer medicine and surgery. JAMB cut off: 200 to 220. Fees: ₦2,500,000 to ₦4,000,000 per session.
— Madonna University — Elele Campus, Rivers State. In 2004, the NUC approved Madonna University. The College of Medicine was established in 2001. The institution became the first to produce licensed medical doctors from a private Nigerian university. JAMB cut off: 180 to 200. Fees: ₦2,000,000 to ₦3,500,000 per session.
— Igbinedion University — Okada, Edo State. Igbinedion requires between 180 and 200 — one of the lowest cut off marks for Medicine anywhere in Nigeria. Fees: ₦2,500,000 to ₦4,000,000 per session.
— Babcock University — Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State. One of the most respected private universities in Nigeria with a well-regarded medical school. JAMB cut off: 200 to 220. Fees: ₦2,500,000 to ₦4,500,000 per session.
— Covenant University — Ota, Ogun State. JAMB cut off: 200 to 220. Fees: ₦3,000,000 to ₦5,000,000 per session.
— Gregory University — Uturu, Abia State. Gregory University has received full accreditation for medicine and surgery from NUC and NMCN. Gregory University’s school for medicine and surgery ranges from ₦2,000,000 to ₦4,000,000 per session. JAMB cut off: 200 to 220.
— Bingham University — Karu, Nasarawa State. JAMB cut off: 200 to 220. Fees: ₦2,000,000 to ₦3,500,000 per session.
— American University of Nigeria (AUN) — Yola, Adamawa State. JAMB cut off: 200 to 220. Fees: ₦3,500,000 to ₦5,000,000 per session.
— Bowen University — Iwo, Osun State. JAMB cut off: 200 to 220. Fees: ₦2,000,000 to ₦3,500,000 per session.
— Chrisland University — Owode, Ogun State. JAMB cut off: 200 to 220. Fees vary — confirm directly with institution.
Duration and Structure of the Medicine and Surgery Programme in Nigeria
Medicine and Surgery has a duration of 6 years with the regulatory body being MDCN. But the six-year MBBS programme is not the end of the road — it is the beginning of further mandatory training before a graduate can practice independently as a medical doctor in Nigeria. After completing the MBBS degree, graduates must complete a one-year housemanship — a supervised clinical training period at an accredited hospital — and then complete the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps. Only after all of that does a graduate become a fully licensed, independently practicing medical doctor in Nigeria. The realistic timeline from entering university to independent practice is therefore eight to nine years from the point of starting the degree.
The six-year MBBS programme is typically structured in phases. The first two years — known as the preclinical or basic medical sciences phase — cover anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, medical genetics, and behavioural sciences. These are taught primarily in lecture theatres and laboratories. The middle two years — the para-clinical phase — cover pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, community medicine, and the beginnings of clinical exposure.
The final two years — the clinical phase — are spent almost entirely in the teaching hospital, rotating through internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, psychiatry, ophthalmology, ear-nose-throat, and other specialty departments. This clinical phase is where the choice of teaching hospital matters most, because the volume and complexity of cases in that hospital directly determines the breadth of training the student receives.
What to Do If Your JAMB Score Is Not Enough for Medicine
One of the most important sections in this guide is this one — because the reality for many students is that their JAMB score, even after significant preparation, may not reach the 280 to 315 threshold required for medicine at federal universities. That does not mean the dream of becoming a doctor is over. It means a different strategy is needed.
Courses like Biochemistry, Microbiology, Physiology, or Anatomy are closely related to Medicine. You can start with one and later switch to Medicine if your school allows inter-department transfers. Some universities offer pre-degree or remedial programs. If you pass well, you can gain admission into the 100 Level Medicine programme the next year. Some universities, especially state or private institutions, may accept lower JAMB scores.
For Direct Entry medicine programmes, the cut off mark often exceeds UTME requirements due to limited spaces. A-Level candidates need minimum passes in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics to qualify for Direct Entry medicine programs. IJMB and JUPEB students require distinctions in relevant science subjects, as these programs specifically prepare students for Direct Entry admission. The IJMB and JUPEB routes — one-year advanced level programmes — are therefore worth considering for students whose UTME score was insufficient. After completing IJMB or JUPEB with distinctions in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, a student can apply for Direct Entry into 200 level of the medicine programme at universities that accept this route.
Key Differences Between Federal, State, and Private Medical Schools
Choosing between federal, state, and private universities for medicine and surgery involves a set of trade-offs that are specific to the medical education context and worth understanding clearly before making any application decision.
Federal medical schools offer the most rigorous clinical training — their affiliation with federal teaching hospitals, which are the largest and most complex referral centres in Nigeria, means students encounter a breadth of clinical presentations that smaller state or private hospital affiliations cannot match. The trade-off is admission difficulty — federal medical schools are extraordinarily competitive, and the combination of JAMB score, Post-UTME performance, and O’Level grades required to secure admission leaves a very small margin for error.
State medical schools are moderately competitive and offer clinical training through state teaching hospitals that vary in quality and resource level across Nigeria. For students from a particular state, catchment area provisions may give them a slight admission advantage at their home state university. Fees at state medical schools are significantly lower than private institutions — typically ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦500,000 per session — making them the most financially accessible option for families who want university-trained doctors without federal-level tuition fees.
Private medical schools are the most financially costly but the most accessible by JAMB score. One of the advantages of studying medicine and surgery in private universities is the smaller class size, which can lead to more concentration than most public universities. Most of the private universities needed for better practice of medicine and surgery are standard and also well maintained. For families who can afford the fees — which range from ₦2,000,000 to ₦5,000,000 per session — and whose students did not achieve the scores needed for federal or state university admission, private medical schools offer a genuine path to an MBBS degree and MDCN licensing.
Conclusion — The Path to Medicine Starts With the Right Choices Now
The universities offering medicine and surgery in Nigeria in 2026 span federal institutions with teaching hospitals among the most respected in West Africa, state universities providing accessible pathways for state-indigene applicants, and private medical schools offering smaller class sizes and more flexible admission thresholds at higher fee levels. There are approximately 43 accredited medical schools across all three categories — and the right choice among them depends on your JAMB score, your O’Level results, your financial situation, your geographic location, and whether your priority is the most prestigious clinical training environment or the most accessible admission pathway.
Whatever institution you target, the preparation requirements are non-negotiable: English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics in JAMB — no substitutions. Five O’Level credit passes including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. A JAMB score that realistically competes for your target school — not just meets the published minimum, but sits in the range where successful candidates have actually been admitted. And strong Post-UTME preparation, because meeting the cut off only earns you the right to compete further, and the final admission decision is made on the full combination of all three performance components.
Verify MDCN accreditation for every institution you consider. Check the NUC accreditation status of the specific programme. Visit official JAMB CAPS during the admission season to monitor your status. And begin your preparation early — medicine is the most competitive course in Nigeria, and the students who earn admission are almost always the ones who prepared the most thoroughly and the most strategically.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JAMB cut off mark for medicine and surgery in Nigeria?
For the 2026/2027 academic session, most Nigerian universities require a minimum JAMB score of 250 to be considered for Medicine and Surgery. Top universities such as University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, and University of Nigeria Nsukka set their Medicine and Surgery departmental cut-off mark between 315. Schools like Ahmadu Bello University, Obafemi Awolowo University, and University of Benin set their departmental cut-off around 300. State universities typically maintain MBBS departmental cut-offs between 270.
What JAMB subjects do I need for medicine and surgery?
To study Medicine and Surgery in any Nigerian university for the 2026/2027 academic session, you must register and write these UTME subjects: English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Selecting and writing these four subjects in your UTME is mandatory. If you choose a different subject, you will be ineligible to study Medicine and Surgery regardless of your score.
How many universities offer medicine in Nigeria?
There are about 43 accredited colleges of medicine in Nigeria, of which 37 have full accreditation while 6 have partial accreditation. These span federal, state, and private universities across all geopolitical zones. Always verify MDCN accreditation status before applying to any medical school — NUC approval alone is not sufficient for medicine and surgery.
How long does it take to study medicine and surgery in Nigeria?
Medicine and Surgery has a duration of 6 years. After the six-year MBBS degree, graduates must complete one year of housemanship and one year of NYSC before they can practice independently as medical doctors. The realistic timeline from starting university to independent practice is therefore approximately eight to nine years.
Which private universities offer medicine in Nigeria?
Accredited private universities offering medicine and surgery in Nigeria include Afe Babalola University, Madonna University, Igbinedion University, Babcock University, Covenant University, Gregory University, Bingham University, Bowen University, American University of Nigeria, and Chrisland University. Madonna University became the first private university to produce licensed medical doctors in Nigeria. Private medical schools have lower JAMB cut off marks but significantly higher tuition fees than federal or state institutions.
What O’Level subjects do I need for medicine and surgery?
The O’Level requirement for medicine and surgery is five credit passes — grade C6 or above — in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Applicants must have at least five credit passes in WAEC, NECO, or equivalent. Many institutions accept results from one or two sittings. All five subjects must be at credit level — a D7 or E8 in any of the three science subjects will disqualify your application at virtually every Nigerian medical school.
Can I study medicine through Direct Entry without JAMB?
A-Level candidates need minimum passes in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics to qualify for Direct Entry medicine programs. IJMB and JUPEB students require distinctions in relevant science subjects, as these programs specifically prepare students for Direct Entry admission. Direct Entry into medicine requires JAMB Direct Entry registration — but not the UTME examination — and the academic threshold is very high given the limited spaces available at the 200 level entry point.
All cut off marks, accreditation data, and university information in this article are sourced from Legit.ng, DailyCompanion, Examsboard, Afan.org.ng, MonoEd Africa, Nigerian Search Guide, StudentPointer, Sabinurse, and Nigerian Queries — all updated for the 2026/2027 academic session. Always verify current MDCN and NUC accreditation status for any medical programme directly through the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the National Universities Commission before making any application decision.
