Private Universities in Nigeria Offering Radiography: A Complete Guide
Choosing the right university and course can feel overwhelming, especially for highly technical fields like radiography.
If you’re exploring options in private universities in Nigeria that offer radiography (also called Medical Radiography, Radiological Science, etc.), this guide is for you. By the end, you’ll understand:
What is Radiography?
Radiography is a health science discipline that uses medical imaging techniques (like X-rays, MRI, CT scans, ultrasound) to visualize inside the human body.
This helps doctors diagnose injuries, illnesses, or monitor health conditions.
Radiographers also work with radiation safety, image processing, sometimes in therapy (for cancer, for example), and often collaborate closely with other health professionals.
Main features of a radiography programme:
- Mix of theory (physics, anatomy, radiologic science)
- Practical / clinical training (working in hospitals, imaging centers)
- Technical work with imaging equipment
- Strong emphasis on safety, ethics, precision
Typically, the course takes five years in Nigeria for a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Radiography.
Why Choose a Private University?
Private universities in Nigeria offer some potential advantages:
- Smaller class sizes
- Often more up-to-date equipment (though this depends heavily on funding)
- Flexibility, sometimes faster bureaucracy
- Potentially better student support, hostel facilities, extracurricular options
But also some trade-offs:
- Higher tuition fees
- Sometimes less historical prestige compared to old federal universities
- Quality can vary a lot between private institutions
So, it’s important to check accreditation, facilities, past student outcomes, etc.
Key Admission Requirements
Before applying, make sure you meet the basic criteria. These are fairly standard across universities, though details vary.
| Requirement Type | General Requirement |
|---|---|
| O-Level / “Secondary School Certificate” | Usually 5 credit passes including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry; often in not more than two sittings. |
| UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination) | Use of English (compulsory) + Physics + Chemistry + Biology in the JAMB subject combination. |
| Direct Entry / A’Levels / Equivalent | Sometimes accepted: A-levels (or equivalents) in relevant science subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), or Diploma/HND in related health sciences. |
| Age / Medical Fitness | Some universities require you to be of a certain age (e.g., at least 16) and medically fit. |
Make sure also to check Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN) accreditation for the programme, accreditation ensures the quality of training and recognition of your degree.
Private Universities in Nigeria That Offer Radiography
Here are some private universities that offer radiography or radiography & radiation science programmes. I’ve included what’s known about their programme offerings, admission, strengths where available:
| University | Location | What They Offer / Known Info | Things to Check or Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead City University (LCU), Ibadan | Oyo State | It offers radiography among its undergraduate courses. Also, it’s reported to have started postgraduate radiography programmes, making it potentially the first private university in the South-West with that offering. | Confirm with their departmental website for current clinical facilities, equipment, and specific fees. |
| PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Port Harcourt | Rivers State | Private university established to offer medical sciences programmes; radiography is among the courses listed. | Check its accreditation status via NUC and RRBN, fees, and capacity of training hospitals. |
| Capital City University (CCU), Kano | Kano State | Offers Radiography as one of its faculties under Health Sciences according to current information. | Verify how many seats, cost, whether their Radiography programme is fully accredited, and what hospital partnerships they have. |
| Evangel University, Akaeze | Ebonyi State | They have a Radiography & Radiation Science department. Their admission requirements include O’Level and UTME subject combination of English, Math, and science subjects. | Check whether clinical placement is local or involves teaching hospitals, how modern the imaging equipment is. |
How to Evaluate the Best University for You
When you have options, here are criteria that matter a lot:
- Accreditation
- Must be recognized by NUC (National Universities Commission)
- Must be accredited by RRBN (Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria)
- Clinical / Practical Training Facilities
- Do they have partnerships with teaching hospitals, diagnostic centers, or imaging facilities?
- What kinds of imaging equipment (MRI, CT, ultrasound)? Are they up-to-date?
- Faculty / Staff Quality
- Are the lecturers experienced radiographers or medical physicists?
- Do they engage in research or continuing education?
- Cost / Tuition Fee
- Private universities often cost more. Get the full breakdown (tuition, lab fees, clinical fees, equipment access).
- Also check whether there are scholarships, payment plans.
- Location & Infrastructure
- How far is the university from your home? Costs of traveling or boarding matter.
- Do they have good hostels, labs, library, internet, etc.?
- Graduate Success & Recognition
- How well do previous students perform in obtaining RRBN licensing or registering?
- Job placement: Are graduates working locally, abroad?
What to Expect: Duration, Curriculum, Career
- Duration: Bachelor’s degree in Medical Radiography in Nigeria normally lasts 5 academic years including clinical exposure.
- Curriculum highlights:
- Basic sciences (Physics, Anatomy, Physiology)
- Radiological physics, instrumentation, imaging techniques
- Patient safety, radiation protection, ethics
- Clinical rotations (X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, CT, etc.)
- Sometimes electives or research projects
- Career options:
- Hospitals (public or private) as radiographer / imaging technologist
- Diagnostic centers or labs
- Industrial roles (non-medical imaging)
- Academia, research after further studies (PGD, MSc, PhD)
- Regulatory or safety roles (radiation protection, quality assurance)
Typical Cost Range (Tuition / Miscellaneous)
Estimating cost is harder because private universities differ. Some of the costs reported:
- At Bayelsa Medical University, for Radiography & Radiation Science programme: Indigene fees ~ NGN 350,000-400,000 per year; non-indigene a bit higher.
- Evangel University & others will have their own schedules—always check their latest prospectus.
Remember also to budget for:
- Clinical/imaging fees
- Uniforms, lab coats, consumables
- Transport for clinical postings
- Books, internet, personal expenses
Challenges & Things to Be Aware Of
- Some private universities may have limited clinical equipment, or fewer imaging modalities.
- Sometimes university-hospital relations are weak, meaning clinical exposure may be less varied.
- Accreditation lapses can occur; always check current status with RRBN.
- Cost of living & ancillary costs often underestimated.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does RRBN recognize degrees from private universities?
Yes, if the programme is properly accredited. RRBN maintains lists of accredited institutions and ensures standards are met.
2. Is radiography hard to study?
It can be challenging (lots of science, technical courses, lab work, clinical rotations). But with good preparation (strong background in sciences, disciplined study habits), many students do well.
3. What JAMB subject combination must I pick?
English Language is compulsory, plus Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are standard. Some universities may accept Maths in place of one science subject in special cases, but confirming with the school is safest.
4. After graduation, do I need to register or do an internship?
Yes. Graduates need to register with the RRBN, complete any required internship, and often pass an assessment. Internship must be in approved centres.
What You Should Do Next
- Make a list of private universities offering radiography in Nigeria (from above + maybe local ones near you).
- For each, visit their official websites, reach out to their radiography / allied health college to ask about: current accreditation, equipment, clinical partners, cost.
- Compare costs + quality + location (which fits your budget & convenience).
- Prepare well for UTME or Direct Entry: strong science & English background.
- Visit open days, talk to current students or alumni if possible.
