Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria is one of Nigeria’s oldest and largest universities. Located in Zaria, Kaduna State, the university was established on 4 October 1962 as the University of Northern Nigeria and was later renamed Ahmadu Bello University in honour of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and first Premier of Northern Nigeria.

ABU was established to expand access to higher education and promote teaching, research and academic development in Northern Nigeria and across the country. Since its establishment, the university has developed into a major Nigerian institution offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Students at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria can study programmes across several fields, including science, engineering, medicine, agriculture, law, arts, education and social sciences. The university also has a strong focus on research, with various academic departments, research centres and specialised institutes supporting teaching and innovation.

 Location

Ahmadu Bello University operates more than one campus. Its main campus is located at Samaru in Zaria, where many of the university’s academic and administrative activities take place. The Kongo Campus in Zaria also hosts academic programmes and other university activities, while specialised research institutes and facilities are located in different parts of the university.

 

Faculties / Colleges / Schools

• Faculty of Administration

• Faculty of Agriculture

• Faculty of Arts

• Faculty of Education

• Faculty of Engineering

• Faculty of Environmental Design

• Faculty of Law

• Faculty of Life Sciences

• Faculty of Physical Sciences

• Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

• Faculty of Social Sciences

• College of Medical Sciences

• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

List of Courses Offered in ABU

Faculty of Administration

• Accounting

• Business Administration

• Public Administration

• Local Government and Development Studies

Faculty of Agriculture

• Agricultural Economics

• Agricultural Extension and Rural Development

• Agronomy

• Animal Science

• Crop Protection

• Soil Science

Faculty of Arts

• Arabic

• English and Literary Studies

• French

• Hausa

• History

• Theatre and Performing Arts

• Archaeology and Heritage Studies

Faculty of Education

• Arts and Social Science Education

• Educational Foundation and Curriculum

• Educational Psychology and Counselling

• Library and Information Science

• Physical and Health Education

• Science Education

• Vocational and Technical Education

Faculty of Engineering

• Agricultural Engineering

• Chemical Engineering

• Civil Engineering

• Electrical and Computer Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Metallurgical Engineering

• Water Resources and Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Environmental Design

• Architecture

• Building

• Industrial Design

• Quantity Surveying

• Urban and Regional Planning

• Geomatics

Faculty of Sciences

• Biochemistry

• Microbiology

• Zoology

• Chemistry

• Mathematics

• Physics

• Statistics

• Computer Science

College of Medical Sciences

• Medicine and Surgery

• Nursing Science

• Medical Laboratory Science

• Anatomy

• Physiology

Faculty of Law

• Civil Law

• Sharia Law

Admission Forms

ABU 2026/2027 HND, ND and ND II Special Admission Forms

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, through its Division of Agricultural Colleges (DAC), has commenced the sale of admission screening forms for Higher National Diploma (HND), National Diploma (ND) and ND II Special programmes for the 2026/2027 academic session. The programmes are available at Samaru College of Agriculture, Zaria; College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Mando-Kaduna; and Kabba College of Agriculture, Kogi State.

Available HND programmes include Agricultural Extension and Management, Pest Management Technology, Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering Technology, Animal Health Technology, Animal Production Technology, Crop Production Technology, Horticulture Technology, Agribusiness Management and Pasture and Range Management Technology. ND programmes include Agricultural Technology, Science Laboratory Technology, Irrigation Agronomy Technology, Fisheries Technology, Animal Health and Production Technology, Statistics, Computer Science and Horticultural Technology. Most programmes run for two years, with availability depending on the college.

HND applicants must possess a National Diploma with at least a lower credit in a relevant accredited agricultural programme and provide evidence of completing the mandatory one-year industrial training. Candidates with an ND pass may be considered after two years of relevant work experience. Applicants must also meet the required O’Level conditions, while candidates from other institutions must submit their academic transcripts. ND applicants must have five relevant O’Level credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics, in not more than two sittings, and select their preferred programmes through JAMB. The stated JAMB cut-off mark for the listed ND programmes is 100.

The application fees are ₦2,000 for ND and ₦2,500 for HND and ND II Special. To apply, visit the ABU Division of Agricultural Colleges website, select the relevant college and programme, create an account, generate an RRR and pay the required fee. After payment, log in to complete and submit the application form. Sales of forms will close on Thursday, 31 December 2026. Interested candidates should check the official portal for programme-specific requirements and complete their applications before the deadline.

ABU Post-UTME Screening Update 2026/2027

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has released an update on its 2026 Post-UTME screening exercise, providing guidance for UTME and Direct Entry candidates who registered for the screening. The announcement was published in Special Bulletin Volume 18, Number 68, dated 9 October 2026, and signed by the University Registrar, Dr A.D. Kankia.

Candidates who registered before 9:00 p.m. on 1 October 2026 but have not received their screening results or are yet to be screened should check their O’Level information. Candidates whose results do not meet the requirements for their chosen programmes are advised to consult the university’s admission brochure and consider suitable alternatives. Those who uploaded certificates or scanned results without entering individual subject grades should revisit the Post-UTME portal and enter the correct grades instead of leaving them as Awaiting Results (AR). Candidates seeking a change of university or programme, as well as those who have not registered for screening, may also proceed, but admission will be considered on a supplementary basis, subject to eligibility and available spaces.

ABU has outlined alternative programmes for candidates with deficiencies in certain O’Level subjects, depending on their JAMB subject combinations. Candidates with an English Language deficiency are not eligible for admission into any ABU programme. Those with other deficiencies may consider the following options:

O’Level deficiency	Suggested programmes
Mathematics	Social Studies, Adult Education, Guidance and Counselling, Archaeology, Archaeology/History, English Language, English Literature and Language Arts
Physics	Procurement, Sustainable Environmental Studies, Mathematics Education, Computer Education, Mathematics and Statistics
Chemistry	Procurement, Sustainable Environmental Studies, Mathematics Education, Computer Education, Geography, Physics, Mathematics and Statistics
Biology	Sustainable Environmental Studies, Mathematics Education, Computer Education, Mathematics and Statistics
Literature in English	Social Studies, Adult Education, Guidance and Counselling, Archaeology, Archaeology/History, Language Arts, and Local Government and Development Studies

The university has also recommended alternative programmes for candidates whose JAMB subject combinations do not meet the requirements for their original choices. Candidates with English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Agriculture may consider Forestry and Wildlife Management; those with English, Chemistry and two other science subjects may consider Chemistry Education; candidates with English, Biology and two other science subjects may consider Biology Education; those with English, Physics and two other science subjects may consider Physics Education; and candidates with English, Geography and two other science subjects may consider Geography Education. Candidates should confirm the requirements for each programme before applying for a change.

Candidates who scored below 180 in the 2026 UTME are not eligible for admission into ABU degree programmes but may explore diploma courses offered through the university’s affiliated institutions. The listed application portals are the Division of Agricultural Colleges at portal.dac.abub.edu.ng, and the Institute of Administration, Institute of Education, Institute of Development Research and Training, and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Institute of Information and Communication Technology at portal.abup.edu.ng/forms. For enquiries about the screening exercise, candidates may call 07076806821, 08111465297 or 09020017135. All candidates are advised to verify their O’Level grades, JAMB subject combinations and programme requirements before making changes.

ABU Postgraduate Admission Form 2026/2027

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Postgraduate College has commenced the online sale of postgraduate application forms for the 2026/2027 academic session. Prospective applicants can access the form through the ABU eForms portal and complete the application process before the closing date.

The application form costs ₦10,000, excluding applicable bank charges. Online sales commenced on Monday, 28 September 2026, while all admission processes are scheduled to end on 2 November 2026.

Applicants are required to have at least five O’Level credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics, obtained in not more than two sittings. Applicants must also provide a valid phone number and email address during the application process.

Candidates applying for Academic Masters and PhD programmes are required to upload a research proposal on their intended research work. The proposal must not exceed 300 words and should be prepared before completing the online application.

Applicants can create a profile, select the appropriate postgraduate application form and complete the required information through the ABU eForms portal. Applicants who require assistance can contact the PGC Help Centre on 08034393836 or 08033302915, available from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on working days and from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturdays.

NECO Results: ABU Post-UTME Screening 2026/2027 update

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has announced the commencement of the second phase of the 2026/2027 Post-UTME and Direct Entry (DE) registration and screening exercise. The update was contained in a Special Bulletin dated September 26, 2026.

Following the release of the 2026 NECO results, candidates who have not registered for the screening exercise, as well as those whose registration was affected by O’Level deficiencies, are advised to complete or update their applications through the ABU portal at https://portal.abu.edu.ng/forms/putme.

The second phase of the screening exercise will run from Monday, September 28 to Wednesday, September 30, 2026, after which the admission process will commence. Registration is mandatory for both UTME and Direct Entry candidates, and those who fail to register will not be considered for admission. UTME candidates must also upload clear O’Level results and ensure that the grades entered during registration are accurate.

Candidates who completed registration and were successfully screened before September 10, 2026, can check their aggregate results on the university portal, while those who registered after that date will have their results released with the second batch. All candidates are also advised to check their JAMB CAPS/e-Facility to confirm that their O’Level results have been uploaded, as the university stated that admission cannot be processed on CAPS without the required results.

School Fees

Please check School Website or Latest News Below for updated info.

Cut-off Mark

Please check School Website or Latest News Below for updated info.

Hostel / Accommodation

Please check School Website or Latest News Below for updated info.

Notice Board

ABU Suspends Implementation of Increased School Charges

The management of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has suspended the implementation of its recently revised student charges pending further consultations with the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) and other relevant stakeholders. The decision follows additional concerns and requests raised by student representatives regarding the proposed charges.

According to the university management, the review of student charges was prompted by the rising cost of providing essential services and the gap between available resources and expenditure. The university also cited the loss of nearly ₦2.5 billion in annual revenue in May 2026, which has placed additional pressure on its finances. The revised charges were intended to support services relating to students’ academic activities, welfare, security, transportation, utilities and general campus life.

The management said it had met with the SRC leadership and considered the concerns raised by students legitimate and deserving of further consideration. It therefore decided to suspend implementation to allow wider consultations and additional input from students and other stakeholders. The university emphasised that the suspension reflects its willingness to listen to students while also acknowledging the financial challenges involved in sustaining and improving its services.

ABU has appealed to students to remain patient, understanding and cooperative while discussions continue. The management also encouraged students to continue their academic activities, expressing confidence that constructive engagement between the university and student representatives would lead to a sustainable resolution. Further updates on the outcome of the consultations and the next steps will be communicated in due course.

ABU Announces Postgraduate Matriculation Ceremony for Fresh Students

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has announced the date for the matriculation ceremony for newly admitted postgraduate students for the 2025/2026 academic session.

The ceremony is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the Postgraduate College Auditorium, ABU Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria. The event will formally welcome fresh postgraduate students into the University, with the Matriculation Oath administered during the ceremony.

Participation is mandatory for all fresh postgraduate students. Students are expected to attend in full academic gowns and comply with the University’s instructions and appropriate conduct throughout the event.

Fresh postgraduate students are required to collect their academic gowns and Matriculation Oath Forms from Room B9 of the Postgraduate College after paying ₦3,000 at the College Cash Office. The information was contained in the University’s Special Bulletin, Volume 18, No. 59, dated 16 September 2026.

Notable Alumni

They include:

• Nana Asma’u – Nigerian scholar and poet.
• Atiku Abubakar – Nigerian politician and former Vice-President of Nigeria.
• Nuhu Ribadu – Nigerian lawyer, police officer and former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
• Adamu Mu’azu – Nigerian politician and former Governor of Bauchi State.
• Ahmed Yerima – Nigerian playwright, theatre director and former Artistic Director of the National Theatre.
• Nasiru El-Rufai – Nigerian politician and former Governor of Kaduna State.
• Namadi Sambo – Nigerian architect, politician and former Vice-President of Nigeria.
• Bello Hayatu Gwarzo – Nigerian politician and former Senator.
• Adamu Aliero – Nigerian politician, former Governor of Kebbi State and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
• Ahmed Makarfi – Nigerian politician and former Governor of Kaduna State.
• Aminu Waziri Tambuwal – Nigerian lawyer, politician and former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
• Ibrahim Shekarau – Nigerian politician, former Governor of Kano State and former Minister of Education.
• Isa Yuguda – Nigerian politician and former Governor of Bauchi State.
• Dahiru Umaru – Nigerian politician and former Governor of Gombe State.
• Abubakar D. Adam – Nigerian politician and former member of the House of Representatives.
• Zainab Ahmed – Nigerian accountant, lawyer and former Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning.
• Hadiza Bala Usman – Nigerian public administrator and former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority.
• Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan – Nigerian lawyer and politician, former Minister of Women Affairs and former Senator.
• Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala – Nigerian economist, former Minister of Finance and Director-General of the World Trade Organization.
• Akinwumi Adesina – Nigerian economist and President of the African Development Bank.
• Lamido Sanusi – Nigerian economist, banker and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
• Muhammad Sanusi II – Nigerian economist and traditional ruler, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
• Babatunde Fashola – Nigerian lawyer, politician and former Governor of Lagos State.
• Sule Lamido – Nigerian politician, former Governor of Jigawa State and former Minister of Foreign Affairs.
• Isa Pantami – Nigerian academic and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.
• Ali Isa Pantami – Nigerian academic, Islamic scholar and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.
• Jibril Aminu – Nigerian academic, physician, diplomat and former Minister of Education and Petroleum Resources.
• Iya Abubakar – Nigerian mathematician, academic and former Minister of Defence.
• Attahiru Jega – Nigerian academic and former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
• Mahmood Yakubu – Nigerian academic and former Chairman of INEC.
• Dapo Oyewole – Nigerian academic and public administrator.
• Amina Jane Mohammed – Nigerian diplomat and Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.
• Bukar Usman – Nigerian author, scholar and former Permanent Secretary.
• Aliyu S. Umar – Nigerian academic and public administrator.
• Aisha Umar Garba El-Rufai – Nigerian writer, architect and public figure.
• Tony Elumelu – Nigerian economist, businessman, investor and philanthropist.
• Abdul Samad Rabiu – Nigerian industrialist, businessman and founder of BUA Group.
• Aliko Dangote – Nigerian businessman and founder of the Dangote Group.
• Jim Ovia – Nigerian banker, businessman and founder of Zenith Bank.
• Femi Otedola – Nigerian businessman, investor and philanthropist.
• Dele Momodu – Nigerian journalist, publisher, businessman and founder of Ovation International.
• Ali Nuhu – Nigerian actor, filmmaker and director.
• Sani Danja – Nigerian actor, musician and film producer.
• Rahama Sadau – Nigerian actress, filmmaker and entrepreneur.
• Hadiza Gabon – Nigerian actress and film producer.
• Naziru Ahmad – Nigerian Hausa singer and songwriter.
• Aminu Kano – Nigerian politician and prominent Northern Nigerian political figure.
• Bala Usman – Nigerian historian, author and political activist.
• Mahmood Mamdani – Ugandan academic and professor of government and anthropology.
• Ali Mazrui – Kenyan-American academic, political scientist and author.
• Sani Abacha – Nigerian military officer and former Head of State.
• Ibrahim Babangida – Nigerian military officer and former Head of State.
• Theophilus Danjuma – Nigerian military officer, businessman and philanthropist.
• Sani Bello – Nigerian businessman, military officer and former Governor of Niger State.

Official Website/Login Portal Links

Official Website
https://abu.edu.ng/

Student Portal
https://abu.edu.ng/login/

Students Information Page
https://abu.edu.ng/students/

Admissions Page
https://abu.edu.ng/admissions/

Application Forms Portal
https://portal.abu.edu.ng/forms

Distance Learning Centre
https://abudlc.edu.ng/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where is Ahmadu Bello University located?

Ahmadu Bello University is located in Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

When was ABU established?

The university was established in 1962.

What courses are offered at ABU?

ABU offers programmes in agriculture, engineering, sciences, arts, education, law, medicine, environmental design, and social sciences.

Does ABU conduct Post-UTME screening?

Yes, candidates seeking admission must participate in the ABU Post-UTME screening exercise.