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.

ABU 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 Requirements

Undergraduate Admission

• Candidates must sit for the UTME conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

• Applicants must obtain at least five O’Level credits including English Language and Mathematics and other relevant subjects.

• Candidates must select Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria as their preferred institution during UTME registration.

• Applicants must participate in the Post-UTME screening exercise conducted by the university.

Direct Entry Admission

• Candidates with ND, NCE, IJMB, or equivalent qualifications may apply through the JAMB Direct Entry process.

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.

Post-UTME Information

Candidates seeking admission into ABU must participate in the Post-UTME screening exercise conducted by the university through the screening portal.

Post-UTME Portal
https://screening.atbu.edu.ng/

Hostel / Accommodation

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

Notice Board

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/

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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.

What is the cut-off mark for ABU?

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