Northwest University, Kano, is a state-owned public university established by the Kano State Government to expand access to university education in Kano State and the wider North-West region of Nigeria. The institution is located in Kano and operates academic activities across its main campus and City Campus. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in areas such as science, computing, education, humanities, social and management sciences, and health sciences.

The university was established in 2012 and initially commenced its academic development with four faculties: Education, Humanities, Social and Management Sciences, and Science. Its academic structure has since expanded to include additional faculties and programmes. The institution is also associated with the name Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano, following a change of name officially communicated by the National Universities Commission in 2017. Its current website, however, continues to use the Northwest University name and the nwu.edu.ng domain.

Northwest University provides admission opportunities through UTME and Direct Entry, alongside postgraduate and other study options. For the 2026/2027 academic session, the university conducted its Post-UTME and Direct Entry screening exercise, and reports published in October 2026 indicate that the undergraduate admission list has been released on JAMB CAPS. Prospective students should consult the university’s official website and admission portal for current notices, programme availability and registration instructions.

History of the Institution

Northwest University, Kano, was established in response to the growing demand for university education among secondary school leavers in Kano State. The Kano State Government, under the administration of Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, initiated the establishment process in 2011.

A technical committee was inaugurated on November 24, 2011, to develop the academic plan, institutional structure and legal framework for the proposed university. Following the submission of the committee’s report and the necessary government processes, the National Universities Commission granted approval for the establishment of Northwest University, Kano, on March 27, 2012.

The university began its academic development with four faculties and 14 academic departments offering 28 approved programmes. Its long-term development plan was divided into four phases covering 20 years, with the aim of expanding its faculties, departments and academic programmes.

The institution later became known as Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano, after the change of name took effect in August 2017. The name honours Yusuf Maitama Sule, a prominent Nigerian diplomat, statesman and former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations. Although the university’s current website still uses Northwest University, the two names are commonly associated with the same institution.

Location

Northwest University, Kano, is located in Kano State, Nigeria. The university operates two campuses:

• Main Campus: General Muhammadu Buhari Way, along Kofar Kabuga–Kofar Ruwa Road, Kano State.
• City Campus: Kofar Nassarawa, Kano State.

List of Courses Offered by Northwest University, Kano

Northwest University offers undergraduate programmes across several academic disciplines. The university’s published undergraduate programme directory includes the following courses.

Science and Basic Medical Sciences

• Anatomy
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Industrial Chemistry
• Industrial Mathematics
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Physiology

Computing and Information Technology

• Computer Science
• Cyber Security
• Information and Communication Technology
• Software Engineering

Social and Management Sciences

• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Economics
• Entrepreneurship Studies
• Geography
• Taxation

Humanities and Languages

• Arabic
• English
• Hausa
• History
• History and International Studies
• Islamic Studies
• International Studies

Education

• Curriculum Studies
• Early Childhood Education
• Educational Technology
• Guidance and Counselling
• Education and Arabic
• Education and Biology
• Education and Chemistry
• Education and Economics
• Education and English
• Education and Geography
• Education and History
• Education and Islamic Studies
• Education and Mathematics
• Education and Physics

Library and Information Science

• Library and Information Science

Technical and Vocational Education

• Building Technology Education
• Electrical/Electronics Technology Education

Health and Pharmaceutical Sciences

• Medicine and Surgery
• Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics

The university’s website also identifies faculties and academic units in Law, Clinical Sciences and other areas. However, its published undergraduate programme directory may not reflect every newly approved programme or the courses available for a particular admission session. Candidates should confirm the current admission list and programme-specific requirements before selecting a course.

Admission Requirements

Northwest University admits undergraduate students through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry. Applicants must satisfy the general university requirements as well as any additional conditions specified for their preferred programmes.

UTME Admission Requirements

Candidates seeking admission through UTME are generally expected to:

• Participate in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by JAMB.
• Choose the correct UTME subject combination for their intended course.
• Obtain the programme-specific minimum UTME score for the admission session.
• Possess at least five O’Level credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics, where required.
• Obtain the required credits in relevant subjects for their chosen programme.
• Participate in the university’s Post-UTME screening exercise.

The five O’Level credits should normally be obtained in not more than two sittings, subject to the requirements of the chosen programme. Accepted examination qualifications may include WAEC, NECO and NABTEB, in accordance with the university’s admission guidelines.

Candidates should pay particular attention to subject requirements. For example, applicants seeking admission into science and health-related programmes may need credits in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, depending on the course.

Direct Entry Admission Requirements

Candidates applying through Direct Entry must possess an acceptable advanced qualification in addition to the required O’Level results.

The university’s published admission guidelines identify the following qualifications for consideration:

• Advanced Level passes in relevant subjects.
• National Certificate in Education (NCE), particularly for relevant Education programmes.
• Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) qualification.
• Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) qualification.
• Other recognised equivalent qualifications, subject to the requirements of the proposed programme.

Direct Entry applicants must also complete the university’s screening and provide the required academic credentials.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the following documents for screening and registration:

• JAMB registration slip or Direct Entry registration slip.
• O’Level result or results.
• Post-UTME or Direct Entry screening acknowledgement slip.
• Birth certificate or declaration of age.
• Local government certificate of origin, where requested.
• Recent passport photograph.
• Other documents specified by the university.

Candidates should ensure that their O’Level results are uploaded to JAMB CAPS and that the information submitted during registration is accurate.

Admission Lists

Northwest University Kano Admission List for 2026/2027 Available on JAMB CAPS

Northwest University, Kano, has released its provisional admission list for the 2026/2027 academic session on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). Candidates who participated in the university’s admission screening exercise can now check their admission status online.

To check their status, candidates should visit the JAMB e-Facility portal and log in with their registered email address and password. They should select “Check Admission Status”, click “Access my CAPS”, and then choose “Admission Status” to view their admission decision. Candidates who have not been offered admission may see the message, “Sorry, No Admission has Been Given Yet.”

Candidates who receive admission offers can accept or reject them through JAMB CAPS. They may also send ACCEPT or REJECT by SMS to 55019 or 66019, using the phone number linked to their JAMB profile. Candidates have four weeks to respond to their offers. Those without access to their registered phone numbers should visit a JAMB-accredited centre for assistance.

Successful candidates are advised to print their JAMB admission letters after accepting their offers, as the documents may be required during clearance and registration. Candidates checking their status on a mobile phone may need to use Google Chrome’s “Request desktop site” option to display the full CAPS interface. Newly admitted students are congratulated on their admission.

Cut-Off Mark

Northwest University does not operate one universal departmental cut-off mark for every undergraduate programme. The minimum UTME score varies according to the course and the admission session.

For the 2026/2027 admission exercise, published screening information reported programme-specific UTME scores ranging from 150 to 240. Some competitive programmes required higher scores than others.

The reported programme thresholds included:

• Medicine and Surgery: 240.
• Law: 230.
• Medical Laboratory Science and Nursing Science: 210.
• Business Administration, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Physiotherapy and International Studies: 190.

Other programmes had lower published thresholds, depending on the course. These figures relate to the 2026/2027 screening information and should not automatically be used for a later admission session.

Candidates should check the university’s current admission notice for the exact cut-off mark applicable to their chosen programme. Meeting the minimum score does not guarantee admission, as final selection may depend on screening performance, available spaces and other admission conditions.

School Fees

The current school fees schedule for Northwest University, Kano, should be obtained from the university’s official portal or bursary before registration. A complete and independently verified breakdown of the 2026/2027 charges was not available for this profile.

Students should confirm the applicable charges for their programme and level, including:

• Tuition and registration charges.
• Acceptance fee.
• Examination and departmental fees.
• Faculty and other administrative charges.
• Laboratory, studio or practical fees, where applicable.
• Hostel and accommodation charges, if required.

Fees may differ between programmes, levels and categories of students. Newly admitted candidates should rely on the payment invoice generated through the university’s authorised portal rather than unofficial fee schedules circulating online.

Hostel and Accommodation

Northwest University has its main campus along Kofar Kabuga–Kofar Ruwa Road and a City Campus at Kofar Nassarawa. Students should establish the campus where their programme is located before arranging accommodation.

The current hostel availability, accommodation charges and allocation procedure were not independently verified. Students who wish to stay in university accommodation should contact the Student Affairs Division or the appropriate university office for information about available spaces and payment procedures.

Students who choose private accommodation should consider transportation costs and the distance between their residence and the campus where they attend lectures.

Notable Alumni

No notable alumni have been identified for now as the institution continues to grow.

Official Website and Portal Links

Students and applicants can access university information and academic services through the following platforms.

Platform	Link
Official University Website	https://nwu.edu.ng/
Undergraduate Programmes	https://nwu.edu.ng/web/undergraduate-programmes/
Undergraduate Admission Requirements	https://nwu.edu.ng/web/undergraduate-admission/
Student Portal	https://nwu.edu.ng/portlet/view/
Post-UTME and Direct Entry Screening Portal	https://stagemis.net/screening/index.php
JAMB e-Facility	https://efacility.jamb.gov.ng/

The student portal provides access to new-student and returning-student login services. Applicants should use the admission portal linked from the official university website when completing screening or other admission-related transactions.

Contact Information

Prospective students, parents and members of the public can contact Northwest University, Kano, through the following official channels:

Address: General Muhammadu Buhari Way, along Kofar Kabuga–Kofar Ruwa Road, Kano State, Nigeria.

Telephone: +234 904 529 2260

Email: contactus@nwu.edu.ng

ICT Support Email: ict@nwu.edu.ng

For admission enquiries, applicants should use the contact details published on the university’s website and confirm any payment instructions through the official portal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Northwest University, Kano, the same as Yusuf Maitama Sule University?

Yes. Northwest University, Kano, is the former name of Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano. The change of name took effect in August 2017. The university’s current website continues to use the Northwest University name and its nwu.edu.ng domain.

Is Northwest University, Kano, a federal or state university?

It is a state-owned public university established and owned by the Kano State Government.

Where is Northwest University located?

The university is located in Kano State, Nigeria. Its main campus is along General Muhammadu Buhari Way, Kofar Kabuga–Kofar Ruwa Road, while its City Campus is at Kofar Nassarawa.

What courses are offered at Northwest University, Kano?

The university’s published undergraduate programme list includes courses in computing, science, education, humanities, social and management sciences, basic medical sciences and other disciplines. These include Computer Science, Software Engineering, Cyber Security, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Biology, Biochemistry, Medicine and Surgery, and Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics.

What is the cut-off mark for Northwest University, Kano?

The cut-off mark varies by programme. For the 2026/2027 admission exercise, published screening information reported programme-specific thresholds ranging from 150 to 240. Candidates should check the applicable score for their chosen course.

Does Northwest University accept Direct Entry candidates?

Yes. The university accepts applications through Direct Entry from candidates with recognised qualifications such as NCE, IJMB, JUPEB and relevant Advanced Level results, subject to programme-specific requirements.

Does Northwest University conduct Post-UTME screening?

Yes. UTME candidates are required to participate in the university’s Post-UTME screening exercise and satisfy the admission conditions for their chosen programmes.

Is the Northwest University 2026/2027 admission list out?

Reports published in October 2026 indicate that the university’s 2026/2027 undergraduate admission list has been released on JAMB CAPS. Candidates who participated in the screening exercise should log in to their JAMB profiles to check their admission status.

How can I check my Northwest University admission status?

Visit the JAMB e-Facility website at https://efacility.jamb.gov.ng/, log in with your registered details, select Check Admission Status and then access CAPS. Open the admission status section to see whether you have been offered admission.

How much are Northwest University school fees?

The current school fees depend on the programme and level of study. Candidates should check the official student portal or contact the university’s bursary for the approved fee schedule before making payments.