Yobe State University widely known as YSU is a state-owned public university located in Damaturu, the capital city of Yobe State, North-East Nigeria. Established in 2006 by the Yobe State Government under the leadership of Governor Alhaji Bukar Abba Ibrahim, the university was conceived to serve as a centre of excellence for teaching, research, and community service. YSU is fully accredited and recognised by the National Universities Commission (NUC), and offers undergraduate and postgraduate (Diploma, Masters, and Ph.D.) programmes across five faculties and a College of Medical Sciences, covering arts, education, law, science, social sciences, and management. YSU also operates unique centres including the Centre for Research in Qur’anic Studies (CRQS), the Desert Research Monitoring and Control Centre (DRMCC), and the Centre for Capacity Development on Humanitarian Studies (CRCDHS). The current Vice-Chancellor is Professor Muhammad Bashir Tahir, who assumed office on 28th February 2026.
History of the Institution
The idea of establishing a state university in Damaturu was first recommended by a state government committee on a blueprint for the educational development of Yobe State. The sub-committee on higher education submitted a report stating the desirability and necessity of a university in Yobe, citing the rapid growth of post-primary and tertiary institutions and the increasing number of potential university candidates in the state. The NUC’s encouragement of state governments and private organisations to establish viable universities also provided a strong impetus.
Under the leadership of Governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim who served as Executive Governor from 1999 to 2007 — the Yobe State Government made the decision to establish a university. It was initially to be named Bukar Abba Ibrahim University, and a planning committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Professor Muhammad Nur Alkali. Following due process, the university was ultimately named Yobe State University and formally established under Yobe State law in 2006. Academic activities commenced thereafter, making it one of the newer state universities in the North-East region.
Over the years, YSU has grown steadily, adding faculties, departments, and research centres. It established a College of Medical Sciences offering Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) and related health science programmes, as well as the Directorate of Pre-Degree Studies and several specialist research centres. The university publishes several peer-reviewed academic journals including the Baobab Journal of Science, Al-Muqaddimah Journal of Arts, Annur International Journal of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Ngazargamu International Journal of Islamic Studies (NIJIS), Yobe Journal of Educational Studies (YOJES), and Yobe Journal of Economics (YOJE). TETFund has also made significant interventions in the university covering physical infrastructure, academic staff training, ICT support, library development, and research.
Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, who founded the university during his time as Governor, later served as a federal senator representing Yobe State. He passed away in 2024, and the YSU Vice-Chancellor conveyed the university’s condolences to the people of Yobe State.
Location
Yobe State University (YSU) KM 7, Sir Kashim Ibrahim Way P.M.B. 1144, Damaturu Yobe State, Nigeria
Email: ict@ysu.edu.ng
YSU is located along the Gujba Road (Sir Kashim Ibrahim Way), approximately 7 kilometres from Damaturu town centre, in the capital of Yobe State, North-East Nigeria.
List of Courses Offered by Yobe State University (YSU)
YSU offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across five faculties and a College of Medical Sciences. Pre-Degree (IJMB), Diploma, and CRQS programmes are also available.
Faculty of Arts and Education
- African Languages and Linguistics
- Arabic Studies
- Arabic and Islamic Studies
- Education and Arabic
- Education and Biology
- Education and Chemistry
- Education and Economics
- Education and English Language
- Education and Geography
- Education and History
- Education and Islamic Studies
- Education and Physics
- English Language
- Hausa
- History
- Islamic Studies
- Linguistics (Arabic, English, Hausa options)
Faculty of Law
- Law (LL.B.)
Faculty of Science
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Geology
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Microbiology
- Physics
Faculty of Social and Management Sciences
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Geography
- Political Science
- Public Administration
- Sociology
College of Medical Sciences
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Medicine and Surgery (MBBS)
- Physiotherapy
Centre for Research in Qur’anic Studies (CRQS)
- One-Year Intensive Diploma Programme (for Senior Huffaz with A’ Level)
Directorate of Pre-Degree Studies
- IJMB (Interim Joint Matriculation Board) — Pre-Degree programme qualifying candidates for Direct Entry
For the complete and most up-to-date list of courses and postgraduate programmes, please visit the official undergraduate page or see the latest news below.
Admission Requirements
UTME (Undergraduate) Admission
- A minimum of five (5) O’Level credit passes including English Language and Mathematics, obtained in not more than two sittings in WAEC, NECO, GCE O’Level, or NABTEB.
- A valid JAMB UTME score meeting the minimum cut-off mark is required. Candidates must select Yobe State University as their institution of first choice on JAMB.
- All eligible candidates must register and participate in the Post-UTME screening exercise.
- Candidates are advised to meet the minimum cut-off mark for their specific course, as admission is competitive and subject to availability of spaces.
Direct Entry Admission
- Candidates with relevant A’Level passes, ND, HND, NCE, or IJMB qualifications may apply for Direct Entry into 200 Level.
- Five (5) O’Level credit passes including English Language and Mathematics in not more than two sittings are required in addition.
IJMB / Pre-Degree Admission
- The IJMB Pre-Degree programme is available as a pathway to Direct Entry into 200 Level at YSU and other participating universities. Apply via ysu.edu.ng/ijmb.
CRQS Diploma Admission
- The Centre for Research in Qur’anic Studies offers a One-Year Intensive Diploma Programme exclusively for Senior Huffaz with A’ Level qualification. Successful candidates gain automatic admission into the Diploma programme.
Postgraduate Admission
- A Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of Second Class Lower Division from an NUC-accredited university.
- NYSC Discharge or Exemption certificate.
- Academic transcripts and relevant departmental requirements apply.
- Apply via ysu.edu.ng/pgapplication.
UG Post-UTME / Direct Entry Registration: ysu.edu.ng/registration
Apply for Admission: ysu.edu.ng/ysu/apply
Please see the latest news below or visit the school website for the most current admission requirements and deadlines.
School Fees
Yobe State University is one of the most affordable state universities in Nigeria. The last known school fees for YSU for the 2025/2026 academic session are approximately ₦44,000 for new (fresh) students and approximately ₦54,000 for returning students, with slight variation depending on the faculty and course of study. Earlier sessions saw tuition ranging from ₦29,000 to ₦35,500 for new students and ₦27,600 to ₦34,100 for returning students.
Late payment of school fees attracts an additional late registration fee of approximately ₦5,000, and students who fail to pay within the stipulated deadline may be unable to sit for their semester examinations.
School fees are paid via Remita, using a generated Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) code, payable online through Remita or at any designated commercial bank.
Please see the latest news below or visit the school website for the most current and officially confirmed school fees schedule, as fees are subject to review each session.
Cut-off Mark
The last known JAMB cut-off mark for Yobe State University is 140 — 180, depending on the course. Sources indicate a general cut-off of 140 for most programmes. Some sources cite a minimum of 180 for certain sessions. Candidates for Medicine and Surgery and other competitive health science programmes typically require significantly higher scores.
Please see the latest news below or visit the school website for the most current and officially confirmed departmental cut-off marks.
Post-UTME / Screening Information
Yobe State University conducts a Post-UTME online screening exercise for all eligible JAMB candidates seeking undergraduate admission. Candidates must have met the minimum cut-off mark and selected YSU as their first choice institution on JAMB to be eligible.
UG Post-UTME / Direct Entry Registration Portal: ysu.edu.ng/registration
Please see the latest news below or visit the school website for the most current Post-UTME dates, screening fees, and requirements.
Hostel / Accommodation
Yobe State University provides on-campus hostel accommodation for students. The university has separate hostels for male and female students, furnished with basic amenities including beds, mattresses, tables, chairs, and lockers. Common rooms are also available for students to relax. The last known hostel accommodation fee is approximately ₦10,000 per academic session.
Please see the latest news below or visit the school website for the most current hostel fees and application procedures.
Notable Alumni
Yobe State University, established in 2006, is still a relatively young institution. No widely documented notable alumni are currently recorded in major public sources. Please see the latest news below or visit the official alumni portal for information on distinguished graduates.
Official Website and Portal Links
Contact Information
Yobe State University (YSU) KM 7, Sir Kashim Ibrahim Way P.M.B. 1144, Damaturu Yobe State, Nigeria
Email: ict@ysu.edu.ng
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where is Yobe State University located? YSU is located at KM 7, Sir Kashim Ibrahim Way (Gujba Road), P.M.B. 1144, Damaturu, the capital city of Yobe State, North-East Nigeria.
When was Yobe State University established? YSU was established in 2006 by the Yobe State Government under Governor Alhaji Bukar Abba Ibrahim.
What programmes does Yobe State University offer? YSU offers undergraduate, postgraduate (PGD, M.A., M.Sc., M.Ed., Ph.D.), IJMB Pre-Degree, Diploma, and CRQS programmes across five faculties and a College of Medical Sciences, covering arts, education, law, science, social sciences, management, and medical sciences.
What is the JAMB cut-off mark for YSU? The last known cut-off mark ranges from 140 to 180 depending on the course and session. Medicine and Surgery and other health science courses require significantly higher scores. Please see the latest news below or visit the school website for the current figures.
Does YSU conduct Post-UTME screening? Yes. YSU conducts an online Post-UTME screening exercise. Register via ysu.edu.ng/registration.
How much are YSU school fees? The last known fees are approximately ₦44,000 for fresh students and ₦54,000 for returning students per session. YSU is one of Nigeria’s most affordable state universities. Please see the latest news below or visit the school website for current fees.
Does YSU have hostel accommodation? Yes. On-campus hostels are available for both male and female students. The last known hostel fee is approximately ₦10,000 per session. Please see the latest news below or visit the school website for current fees and allocation procedures.
How do I log in to the YSU student portal? Visit the SMIS student portal at ysu.edu.ng/smis/students to access course registration, results, and other student services.
What is the CRQS programme at YSU? The Centre for Research in Qur’anic Studies (CRQS) offers a One-Year Intensive Diploma Programme exclusively for Senior Huffaz (memorisers of the Qur’an) with A’ Level qualifications. Successful candidates receive automatic admission into the programme.
Does YSU offer postgraduate programmes? Yes. YSU offers Postgraduate Diploma, Masters (M.A., M.Sc., M.Ed.), and Ph.D. programmes across multiple faculties. Apply via ysu.edu.ng/pgapplication or visit the postgraduate school portal.
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