NOUN ACETEL – Programmes, Courses, Fees, Admission Form
NOUN ACETEL offers 6 NUC-accredited postgraduate programmes and 20+ short courses in AI, Cyber Security, and MIS. See the full course list, fees, requirements, and how to apply.
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What Is NOUN ACETEL?
If you have been searching for an affordable, fully online, and internationally backed route to a postgraduate degree in Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, or Management Information Systems, ACETEL is probably the answer — and most Nigerians have never heard of it.
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ACETEL (Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning) is a postgraduate centre domiciled at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). It was launched in February 2019 at the Djibouti Workshop of the World Bank and the Association of African Universities (AAU) as part of the ACE Impact Project — a continental initiative funding centres of excellence across Africa.
Here is what that pedigree means for you as a student:
- World Bank backing — ACETEL is not a private academy; it is part of a structured, internationally funded project with quality benchmarks.
- Full NUC accreditation — all six postgraduate programmes are approved by the National Universities Commission.
- Pan-African reach — students come from across Africa, with a strong concentration in the West African sub-region.
- 100% online delivery — built on NOUN’s open and distance learning (ODL) infrastructure, so you study from anywhere.
The Centre draws its academic strength from computer professionals in NOUN’s Department of Computer Science, the ICT and MIS units, and educational researchers from the Faculty of Education, alongside collaborators in the public sector and partner universities in Nigeria and beyond.
Postgraduate Programmes Offered by ACETEL
ACETEL runs six postgraduate programmes — three Master’s degrees and three doctorates. Every one of them is fully accredited by the NUC, which is the strongest approval status on NOUN’s postgraduate list.
| Programme | Level |
|---|---|
| M.Sc. Artificial Intelligence | Master’s |
| M.Sc. Cyber Security | Master’s |
| M.Sc. Management Information System (MIS) | Master’s |
| Ph.D. Artificial Intelligence | Doctorate |
| Ph.D. Cyber Security | Doctorate |
| Ph.D. Management Information System (MIS) | Doctorate |
Each programme is coordinated by a Centre Leader and an Academic Programme Coordinator, supported by faculty academics and institutional and sectoral partners.
Programme duration:
- Master’s — minimum of 4 semesters, maximum of 8 semesters
- Ph.D. — minimum of 6 semesters, maximum of 12 semesters
Short Courses Offered by ACETEL
Beyond the degree programmes, ACETEL runs a catalogue of professional short courses — ideal if you want industry-relevant skills without committing to a full postgraduate programme. The line-up includes globally recognised certification tracks:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Blockchain Technology
- Certified Data Analyst
- CCNA 1, CCNA 2, CCNA 3
- CCNA Cyber Associate
- CCNP
- Cloud Computing
- Cyber Security
- Database Management
- Digital Literacy
- English Language for Non-English Speakers
- Entrepreneurship
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- IT Essentials
- Leadership & Project Management
- Learning Technology
- Open Government Data
- Programming: C, Python, JAVA
Entry requirement for short courses: just five O-level credits (or equivalent) including English or French Language. No degree needed.
ACETEL Admission Requirements
Requirements scale with the level you are applying for. Check your category below.
Master’s Degree (M.Sc.)
- A minimum of Second Class in your first degree, or its equivalent
- Five O-level credits (or equivalent) including English or French Language
Ph.D. Degree
- A minimum of Second Class in your first degree, plus a CGPA of 4.5 at M.Sc. level
- A research proposal of not more than five pages, covering: topic, introduction, objective, methodology, and mode of data collection
- Five O-level credits (or equivalent) including English or French Language
Scholarship and Award Eligibility
ACETEL periodically offers postgraduate scholarships and short course awards. To qualify, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of an African country — West African nationals (Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Togo, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and others in the sub-region) are especially encouraged
- Hold the minimum academic qualification for their chosen level (Bachelor’s/Master’s for degrees, five O-level credits for short courses)
- Show a clear vision of how the training will drive reform in their home country
- Have satisfactory English or French proficiency
- Meet Nigerian Government student visa requirements (international applicants)
For women: female applicants are particularly encouraged and given priority in ACETEL’s scholarship considerations.
>>>Apply for NOUN ACETEL Scholarship Award here.
ACETEL School Fees Breakdown
ACETEL’s fee structure is modular — you pay for the application form, compulsory fees, then per-course and per-exam charges as you progress. Here is the complete picture.
Application Form Fees
| Programme | National (₦) | International ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 30,000 | 155 |
| Doctorate Degree | 20,000 | 233 |
Compulsory Fees (Master’s and Doctorate)
| Fee Item | New Students (₦) | New Students ($) | Returning (₦) | Returning ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registration Fees | 7,591 | 59 | 7,591 | 59 |
| Caution Deposit | 4,374 | 34 | — | — |
| Orientation Fees | 1,930 | 15 | — | — |
| Matriculation Fees | 1,930 | 15 | — | — |
| I.D. Card | 643 | 5 | — | — |
| Library Fees | 3,860 | 30 | 3,860 | 30 |
| ICT Administrative Charges | 5,305 | 49 | 5,305 | 49 |
| E-Facilitation | 18,914 | 147 | 18,914 | 147 |
| Result Verification | 12,607 | 98 | — | — |
| Total | 58,157 | 452 | 36,670 | 285 |
Course Registration Fees
| Course Type | National (₦) | International ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Two (2) Credit Course | 4,246 | 33 |
| Three (3) Credit Course | 5,018 | 39 |
Exam Registration
| Item | National (₦) | International ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Registration (per course) | 3,345 | 26 |
Research Project Fees
| Programme | National (₦) | International ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s | 189,783 | 1,475 |
| Doctorate | 278,306 | 216* |
*The international doctorate research fee of $216 is as published in the official ACETEL schedule. Cross-check on the fee check page before payment, as this figure appears low relative to the naira equivalent.
What does this mean in practice? A new national Master’s student pays roughly ₦88,000 to start (form + compulsory fees), then per-course and exam fees each semester, with the research fee due at the project stage. Compared with private universities and most international online Master’s programmes, this is one of the most affordable accredited tech postgraduate routes available to Nigerians.
How to Pay ACETEL Fees via Remita
All ACETEL payments go through the Remita platform. Follow these steps exactly:
- Go to the Remita website at remita.net and click “Pay TSA & States.”
- Select “FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria” on the pop-up menu.
- Search for “NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA AFRICA CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE ON TECHNOLOGY ENHANCED LEARNING.”
- Under Name of Service/Purpose, select the type of registration fee you are paying (Masters or PhD).
- Under GIFMIS Code, enter 0000.
- Under amount to pay, enter the exact amount calculated from your registration shopping.
- Enter your name, phone number, and email.
- Tick the “I’m not a robot” checkbox.
- Click Submit and complete the payment.
Keep your Remita Receipt Reference (RRR) number safe. You will need it to confirm your payment on the portal, and registration only activates when your e-wallet has sufficient funds to cover your registered courses.
Course Registration at ACETEL
Once admitted and paid up, course registration happens online on the ACETEL registration portal. Here is what you need to know to avoid costly mistakes:
- Credit load: register a minimum of 10 credit units and a maximum of 20 credit units per semester — including at least one elective per semester. Students with carry-overs can register up to 24 units.
- Prerequisites: some courses require you to pass a prerequisite course first. The portal will block registration for any course whose prerequisite you have not passed.
- Portal windows: the registration portal opens at the start of every semester and closes before continuous assessment begins. Miss the window and you are not eligible for the TMAs or exams that semester — no exceptions.
- Add/drop: you can add or drop courses on the portal, but only before it closes.
- No re-registration: you cannot re-register a course you have already passed.
- Print your registration slip after completing the exercise — you will need it for exam clearance.
How You Are Assessed
ACETEL uses three layers of assessment:
- Self-Assessment Exercises — ungraded practice exercises inside each study unit, designed to track your own progress.
- Continuous Assessment (TMAs) — automated, computer-marked assignments administered online, which may include projects, modelling, and practicals. These count for 30% of your final score.
- End-of-Semester Examinations — conducted as e-Exams or Pen-on-Paper (PoP) at study centres or other arranged locations, accounting for 70% of your score.
Grading scale:
- A — 70 and above (5 points)
- B — 60–69 (4 points)
- C — 50–59 (3 points)
- D — 45–49 (2 points)
- E — 40–44 (1 point)
- F — 39 and below (0 points)
Research Project and Industrial Attachment
Two milestones stand between you and your certificate.
The Research Project is compulsory — 6 credit units for M.Sc. students (registered in the third semester) and 12 credit units for Ph.D. students. Your topic must be approved by the Centre, and you will work under the supervision of a subject-matter expert. Projects are graded by your supervisor, then moderated internally and externally. All Ph.D. projects face an external defence before a Professor in the area of specialisation. On completion, you submit four bound copies plus two CDs containing the soft copy. The project must be passed to graduate.
The Industrial Attachment (IT/SIWES) applies to all Master’s students — a compulsory six-week field attachment in a workplace relevant to your discipline, graded as a 6-credit unit course. A field supervisor monitors and assesses you throughout. Like the project, it must be passed before you are eligible for graduation.
Orientation for New Students
Every new ACETEL student goes through a virtual orientation programme at the start of the semester. You will be introduced to the ODL system, course selection and registration, guidance and counselling services, and the ICT facilities that power your learning. Invitations arrive by SMS and email — attend it. Students who skip orientation routinely struggle with registration deadlines and portal navigation in their first semester.
Final Thoughts
ACETEL sits at a rare intersection: World Bank funding, full NUC accreditation, NOUN’s distance learning infrastructure, and fee levels that undercut nearly every comparable programme in Nigeria or abroad. Whether your goal is an accredited M.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence, a Ph.D. in Cyber Security, or a quick CCNA or Python certification, the Centre has a structured route for you.
Start by confirming your eligibility against the requirements above, then visit the ACETEL admissions portal at https://aceteladmissions.nou.edu.ng to obtain your form. Intakes run biannually, so the next window is never far away. For detailed per-programme fee breakdowns, consult the official fee check page on the ACETEL website at https://acetel.nou.edu.ng.
