Top Universities in Niger: 2026 Guide to Costs, Admissions and Programs

Choosing a university in Niger requires more than looking for a national ranking. International league tables cover Niger unevenly, while the country’s higher-education system includes large multidisciplinary public universities, specialist regional institutions and private universities with different languages, programs and fee structures.

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Official higher-education statistics for 2024-2025 list nine public universities and 34 private universities in Niger. Niger Higher Education Statistical Yearbook 2024-2025

For students seeking a broad public university, Université Abdou Moumouni is the clearest starting point because of its scale and academic breadth. Université André Salifou and Université Dan Dicko Dankoulodo are important regional alternatives, while Agadez and Diffa stand out more for specialist subject fit. Maryam Abacha American University of Niger offers a distinct private, English-language option.

Quick Answer

Student Priority	Universities to Consider	Why
Broad public-university choice	Université Abdou Moumouni	Largest public university and wide subject range
Large public option outside Niamey	Université André Salifou	Strong regional scale in Zinder
Health, science, agriculture and engineering	UDDM Maradi	Strong subject mix and transparent current fees
Engineering, environment and arid-zone study	Université d’Agadez	Specialist technical positioning
Agronomy and ecology	Université de Diffa	Clear specialist academic focus
Islamic studies, Arabic and Islamic finance	Université Islamique au Niger	Distinctive academic combination
English-language private study	Maryam Abacha American University of Niger	Private option with computing, business and health programs

These are not numbered national rankings. Niger does not currently have sufficiently comprehensive conventional global-ranking coverage to justify an artificial 1-to-10 league table.

How We Selected These Universities

Recommendations were based on official recognition, 2024-2025 enrolment data, current academic programs, subject specialisation, admission requirements, published fees and international ranking evidence where it genuinely adds decision value.

Comparable graduate-employment statistics, student-satisfaction scores and degree-level accreditation information are limited for many institutions. Where evidence is incomplete, this guide does not create estimates to fill the gap.

Understanding Niger’s University System

Official 2024-2025 statistics list nine public universities:

1. Université d’Agadez
2. Université de Diffa
3. Université de Dosso
4. Université Dan Dicko Dankoulodo de Maradi
5. Université Abdou Moumouni
6. Université Islamique au Niger
7. Université Djibo Hamani de Tahoua
8. Université Boubakar Ba de Tillabéri
9. Université André Salifou de Zinder

The same official yearbook identifies 34 private universities. View official higher-education statistics for Niger.

This matters because some international directories index only a small number of Nigerien universities. A directory’s coverage should not be interpreted as the total number of universities operating in the country.

Niger is also reforming its higher-education system. In July 2026, the government reported restructuring involving engineering education, including ESSN, POLYTECH Maradi, ENPG and ENISE, as well as plans for an engineering preparatory cycle at EMIG. Read the Niger government higher-education reform update.

Leading Recognized Universities in Niger

University	City	Public Enrolment 2024-2025	Main Reason to Consider
Université Abdou Moumouni	Niamey	35,471	Largest and broadest public option
Université André Salifou	Zinder	9,542	Large multidisciplinary regional university
Université Djibo Hamani	Tahoua	6,798	Economics, law, education and applied programs
Université Dan Dicko Dankoulodo	Maradi	4,915	Science, health, agriculture and engineering
Université Islamique au Niger	Niamey	4,905	Islamic studies plus professional disciplines
Université de Dosso	Dosso	997	Smaller regional and applied option
Université de Diffa	Diffa	695	Agronomy, ecology and environment
Université d’Agadez	Agadez	623	Engineering and specialist technical study
Université Boubakar Ba	Tillabéri	563	Regional and agriculture-oriented study

Public-enrolment figures are from Niger’s 2024-2025 higher-education statistical yearbook. View official university enrolment data.

Université Abdou Moumouni, Niamey

Why We Recommend It

Université Abdou Moumouni is the strongest starting point for students who want the broadest public-university environment in Niger.

Official statistics recorded 35,471 students and 446 permanent academic staff in 2024-2025, making UAM substantially larger than any other public university in the country.

Its academic scope includes sciences, agriculture, economics and management, law and political studies, humanities, teacher education and health sciences.

Best For

UAM makes particular sense for students who have not yet narrowed their university choice to a highly specialised institution and want access to a wider range of faculties in Niamey.

Admission

For 2026-2027, new baccalaureate holders were required to complete online pre-registration and identify preferred study areas. Medicine and pharmacy applicants had additional medical-document requirements.

View UAM 2026-2027 admission information.

Fees

UAM’s published fee structure illustrates why nationality and faculty matter.

For Nigerien and UEMOA students, first-year Licence registration is listed at 10,000 FCFA.

For students outside UEMOA, published Licence fees include examples such as:

• 150,000 FCFA in several humanities, economics, education and law faculties
• 250,000 FCFA in agriculture and science-related faculties
• Separate fee structures for health studies

View UAM registration and fee schedule.

Important Consideration

UAM’s size is useful, but a larger university is not automatically the strongest choice for every subject. Students targeting specialised engineering, environment or agriculture programs should compare it directly with Maradi, Agadez and Diffa.

Université André Salifou, Zinder

Why We Recommend It

Université André Salifou is one of Niger’s most substantial regional public universities.

The Ministry recorded 9,542 students in 2024-2025, making it the country’s second-largest public university by enrolment in that dataset.

It provides a multidisciplinary public-university option for students who prefer Zinder rather than Niamey.

Visit the Université André Salifou official website.

A Name Students Should Recognize

Older websites may still refer to the institution as the University of Zinder.

The university was renamed Université André Salifou in April 2022. Université de Tahoua was renamed Université Djibo Hamani at the same time.

Read about the 2022 university renaming.

Important Consideration

UAS has meaningful institutional scale, but comparable university-level employment outcomes and independent subject rankings remain limited.

Students should therefore evaluate the actual program rather than assuming that its position as Niger’s second-largest public university makes it stronger in every discipline.

Université Dan Dicko Dankoulodo de Maradi

Why We Recommend It

UDDM has one of the strongest evidence-based cases for students interested in health sciences, science, agriculture, environment and technical education.

Official data recorded 4,915 students in 2024-2025.

Its academic structure and POLYTECH Maradi make it especially relevant as Niger expands engineering education.

Admission

For 2026-2027, UDDM required online applications from new first-year students.

Health-science applicants had additional medical-document requirements, while POLYTECH applicants were required to supply additional academic records.

View UDDM 2026-2027 admission information.

Fees

UDDM publishes different charges according to program and status.

• 10,000 FCFA registration for many eligible Nigerien/UEMOA public-track students
• 250,000 FCFA for other nationalities in several programs
• Higher charges for selected IUT, laboratory and professional routes

View UDDM registration and tuition information.

Why UDDM May Make More Sense Than UAM

Students specifically targeting health, agricultural, scientific or technical study may find UDDM’s subject positioning more relevant than simply choosing UAM because it is larger.

The tradeoff is that UAM offers a broader overall academic environment.

Université Djibo Hamani, Tahoua

Why Consider It

Université Djibo Hamani recorded 6,798 students in 2024-2025, placing it among Niger’s larger regional public universities.

Its current academic listings include study in economics and management, law, education, accounting, finance, logistics, information systems and related applied disciplines.

View Université Djibo Hamani program information.

Important Consideration

UDH offers broader regional study than smaller specialist universities, but current independent ranking and graduate-employment evidence is limited.

Students should shortlist it because of relevant programs, geography and admission fit rather than unsupported prestige claims.

Université Islamique au Niger

Why Consider It

Université Islamique au Niger has a more varied academic profile than its name may initially suggest.

Official statistics recorded 4,905 students in 2024-2025.

Its current program portfolio includes Islamic studies and Arabic alongside economics, accounting, Islamic finance, computer science, cybersecurity, telecommunications, agronomy, nursing and midwifery.

View Université Islamique au Niger programs and admissions.

Fees

Published 2026-2027 examples include undergraduate charges in the region of 290,000 to 330,000 FCFA for several programs, with postgraduate programs generally costing more.

Students should check the exact program rather than treating one published figure as a university-wide tuition rate.

Best For

UIN is especially relevant for students seeking Islamic studies, Arabic or Islamic finance, or those interested in its combination of religious and professional disciplines.

Université d’Agadez

Why We Recommend It for Specialist Students

Université d’Agadez is much smaller than UAM or UAS, but size is not the main reason to consider it.

Its current academic direction makes it relevant for engineering, environment, industrial processes, arid-zone study and related technical fields.

For 2026-2027, the university announced new professional Master’s programs in:

• Bio-ecology and Agriculture in Arid Zones
• Industrial Process Engineering and Environment
• Mathematics and Data Science

View Université d’Agadez 2026-2027 new programs.

Agadez is also relevant to Niger’s ongoing engineering reforms through ENISE.

Tradeoff

Students gain specialist subject relevance but a smaller overall university environment and narrower course choice.

Université de Diffa

Why Consider It

Université de Diffa has a clear specialist case in agriculture, ecology and environmental study.

Its 2026-2027 admission information specifically highlights first-year study through the Faculty of Agronomic and Ecological Sciences and the Higher Institute of Environment and Ecology.

View Université de Diffa admissions and programs.

Official statistics recorded 695 students in 2024-2025.

Best For

Diffa makes more sense for a student with a defined agronomy or environmental goal than for someone seeking the widest possible degree choice.

Maryam Abacha American University of Niger

Why Consider It

MAAUN offers a different proposition from Niger’s public universities.

It is a private institution with an English-language orientation and programs spanning computing, engineering, business, international relations and health-related fields.

Current undergraduate offerings include computer science, cybersecurity, information technology, software engineering, computer engineering, medicine, pharmacy, nursing, medical laboratory science, public health, accounting and business administration.

View MAAUN undergraduate programs.

What Its THE Result Actually Means

Times Higher Education lists MAAUN in the 801-1000 band of the Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026.

View the THE profile for MAAUN.

This should not be reported as an 801-1000 position in the conventional THE World University Rankings. The Sustainability Impact Ratings measure a different aspect of institutional performance.

Important Considerations

Comparable current tuition was not verified in the research used for this guide.

Students considering medicine, pharmacy, nursing or engineering should also verify professional recognition of the exact qualification in the country where they plan to practise.

Other Public Universities to Check

Université de Dosso

Université de Dosso recorded 997 students in 2024-2025.

For 2026-2027, first-year applicants were required to complete online pre-registration, provide baccalaureate and identity documents and identify preferred programs. IUT applicants had additional academic-document requirements.

View Université de Dosso 2026-2027 pre-registration information.

It is worth investigating for students interested in a smaller regional public-university environment.

Université Boubakar Ba de Tillabéri

Official data recorded 563 students in 2024-2025.

The university can be relevant for regional and agriculture-oriented study, but the evidence base used for this guide contains less current program and fee information than for UAM, UDDM, UIN, Agadez or Diffa.

Students should confirm current courses and admission conditions directly before applying.

Why Rankings Do Not Tell the Whole Story in Niger

A simple ranking table can be particularly misleading in Niger.

International ranking organizations do not provide comprehensive conventional coverage of the country’s university system. MAAUN’s THE result, for example, relates to Sustainability Impact Ratings rather than an overall academic world ranking.

For this reason, students should compare universities using factors such as:

• Official recognition
• Exact degree offered
• Subject specialisation
• Program-level accreditation
• Fees
• Admission requirements
• Language of instruction
• Location
• Professional plans

A university with fewer students may be the better choice when it offers the precise technical or professional subject a student wants.

Tuition and Study Costs

There is no single reliable figure for “university tuition in Niger.”

The strongest evidence available shows large differences by university, nationality and program.

Example	Published Fee Evidence
UAM, first-year Licence, Niger/UEMOA	10,000 FCFA registration
UAM, selected non-UEMOA Licence faculties	150,000-250,000 FCFA
UDDM, many eligible Niger/UEMOA public tracks	10,000 FCFA registration
UDDM, selected programs for other nationalities	Around 250,000 FCFA
UIN, several undergraduate programs	Around 290,000-330,000 FCFA

These figures are examples, not universal university tuition prices.

Students should confirm:

1. Their nationality or status category
2. The exact degree
3. The academic level
4. Registration charges
5. Laboratory or professional fees
6. Whether a published amount is annual or program-specific

Comparable current housing and living-cost data across Niamey, Zinder, Maradi, Agadez, Diffa and other university cities was not strong enough to calculate a defensible total annual student budget.

Admission Reality

Most undergraduate routes begin with the Nigerien baccalaureate or an accepted equivalent, but admission conditions vary by institution and course.

Current 2026-2027 evidence shows program-level differences.

• UAM asks candidates to identify preferred study sections and imposes additional medical-document requirements for medicine and pharmacy.
• UDDM requires additional documentation for health and POLYTECH applicants.
• Université de Dosso requires extra school records for certain IUT applicants.
• MAAUN publishes secondary-school credit requirements for the undergraduate qualifications described on its admissions pages.

For this reason, students should not rely on unofficial acceptance-rate estimates. Minimum eligibility and actual selection requirements are different questions.

Recognition and Professional Degrees

University recognition does not automatically answer whether a professional degree will qualify a graduate for licensing.

This is particularly important in:

• Medicine
• Pharmacy
• Nursing
• Engineering
• Law
• Teaching
• Other regulated professions

Students should verify both the institution and the exact degree with the relevant professional authority, especially if they intend to work outside Niger after graduation.

A university ranking should not replace a program-level recognition check.

Scholarships and Student Support

Niger operates scholarship and student-support mechanisms through its higher-education system and the Agence Nationale des Allocations et des Bourses.

Government reporting in July 2026 described reforms including digitalisation of scholarship and social-aid payments and changes affecting excellence scholarships and social assistance.

Read the government update on higher-education and scholarship reforms.

However, comparable current scholarship amounts and eligibility conditions were not available for every university in the research.

Students should confirm the scholarship name, value, eligibility rules, deadline and whether an application is required rather than relying on generic claims that “scholarships are available.”

International Students: Visa and Residence Considerations

Niger’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that foreign nationals generally require a passport and visa unless an applicable exemption applies.

The ministry currently describes a 15-day visa issuance period for the standard process covered on its information page.

View Niger Ministry of Foreign Affairs entry requirements.

Published legal material also indicates that foreign students seeking residence status may need proof of enrolment at an authorized institution and evidence of sufficient means.

Because immigration procedures can change, international students should verify current requirements before travel.

The evidence reviewed for this article did not establish a reliable current universal student work-hours rule, so no work-hour figure is stated here.

Which University Should You Choose?

Consider Université Abdou Moumouni if you want Niger’s largest public-university environment and the broadest overall choice of disciplines.

Consider Université André Salifou if you want a substantial multidisciplinary public university outside Niamey.

Consider UDDM if your priority is health, science, agriculture, environment or engineering and you want relatively detailed published fee and admission information.

Consider Université d’Agadez if your interests are technical, environmental, engineering-related or focused on arid-zone study.

Consider Université de Diffa if agronomy, ecology or environmental study is your primary goal.

Consider Université Islamique au Niger if you want Islamic studies, Arabic or Islamic finance, or if its computing, agronomy or health offerings fit your plans.

Consider MAAUN if you are looking for a private, English-language environment, particularly in computing, business or health-related study.

For professional degrees, check accreditation and licensing before choosing purely by institutional reputation.

For affordability, compare the exact program and student-status category. Published fees show that international and non-UEMOA charges can differ substantially from standard domestic public-university registration costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest public university in Niger?

Université Abdou Moumouni was Niger’s largest public university in the official 2024-2025 higher-education statistics, with 35,471 students.

How many public universities are there in Niger?

Niger’s official 2024-2025 higher-education statistical yearbook lists nine public universities.

Which university in Niger is a strong option for science and engineering?

Université Dan Dicko Dankoulodo in Maradi is particularly relevant for science, agriculture, health and engineering. Université d’Agadez is also worth considering for specialist engineering, environmental and technical study.

Which university in Niger offers an English-language private option?

Maryam Abacha American University of Niger is a private university with an English-language orientation and programs in areas including computing, business and health sciences.

How much does university cost in Niger?

There is no single tuition figure. UAM and UDDM publish registration fees as low as 10,000 FCFA for some eligible Nigerien/UEMOA public-university students, while international, professional, laboratory and private-program fees can be substantially higher.

Are acceptance rates available for universities in Niger?

Reliable official acceptance rates were not identified for the universities covered in this guide. Students should use published academic and program-specific admission requirements instead of unofficial estimates.

Is a university ranking enough when choosing medicine, nursing or engineering in Niger?

No. Students entering regulated professions should check whether the exact degree satisfies relevant professional recognition or licensing requirements. An overall university ranking does not establish professional accreditation.

Do international students need a visa to study in Niger?

Foreign nationals generally require a visa unless an applicable exemption applies. International students should confirm their current requirements with Niger’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant diplomatic mission before travel.

Sources and Methodology

Last reviewed: September 2026

The primary source for Niger’s university landscape, public-university enrolment and institutional counts was the Annuaire Statistique de l’Enseignement Supérieur 2024-2025 published through Niger’s higher-education statistical system.

Niger Higher Education Statistical Yearbook 2024-2025

Current admissions, programs and fees were checked using university-operated sources for Université Abdou Moumouni, UDDM, Université André Salifou, Université Djibo Hamani, Université Islamique au Niger, Université d’Agadez, Université de Diffa, Université de Dosso and MAAUN.

Niger’s July 2026 higher-education restructuring was based on government reporting.

Niger Government Higher-Education Reform Announcement

MAAUN’s international ranking reference is specifically its Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 entry. It was not treated as a conventional THE World University Ranking.

Times Higher Education Profile for MAAUN

Visa information was based on the Niger Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Niger Ministry of Foreign Affairs Entry Information

Where the underlying research did not establish comparable current graduate-employment data, accommodation costs, student-satisfaction statistics, scholarship values or professional accreditation, no figures were invented.