Imo State University
Owerri, Imo • Est. 1981
About IMSU
Imo State University (IMSU) is the state-owned university of Imo State, located in Owerri. IMSU operates 12 faculties spanning the arts, sciences, social sciences, education, engineering, environmental sciences, agriculture, law, management sciences, basic medical sciences, clinical sciences and pharmacy. Total enrolment exceeds 35,000 students across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The institution has built strong reputation in Medicine, Law, Engineering, Pharmacy and the Sciences, and operates the Imo State University Teaching Hospital at Orlu. IMSU graduates enter the federal and Imo State civil service, corporate organisations, legal practice and academia, and the institution is the principal higher education provider for Imo State.
History
The institution was originally established in 1981 as Imo State University by Imo State Edict, with founding campuses at Etiti (the original headquarters), Aba (later part of Abia State University following the 1991 creation of Abia State) and Okigwe. Following the 1991 creation of Abia State from Imo State, the Aba campus separated to form Abia State University, and the remaining campuses were consolidated. In 1992 the institution was renamed Imo State University and relocated its headquarters to Owerri. Through the 1990s and 2000s IMSU expanded substantially, adding faculties in Law, Engineering, Pharmacy, Medicine and Management Sciences. The Imo State University Teaching Hospital was developed at Orlu to provide clinical training. The institution has produced senior public officials, judges, academics and medical practitioners for Imo State and the broader South-East region.
Core values: ExcellenceIntegrityServiceInnovation
Key Facts at a Glance
Academic
Faculties: 7 Departments: 46 Undergraduate courses: 35 Postgraduate courses: 39 Modes: Full-time, Part-time, Sandwich Semester: Two semesters Medium: EnglishDemographics
Total students: 26,621 Male: 12,778 (48%) Female: 13,843 (52%) Staff: — Student-staff ratio: 24.70:1Outcomes
Graduation rate: — Employment rate (6mo): — Average student rating: 4.7 / 5 Reviews: 39 verifiedRankings
No published rankings yet.Leadership
| Vice-Chancellor | Prof. U Chukwumaeze |
Courses Offered (35)
Admission Requirements
Imo State University considers candidates who meet the institutional JAMB cutoff and pass the Post-UTME screening. Direct Entry applicants must meet the entry requirements for their chosen course.
Entry modes accepted: UTMEDirect Entry
✓ Accepts Direct Entry — Accepts inter-university transfers
Admission timeline (recent)
| Event | Year | Window | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post Utme | 2026 | Jun 24 → Jul 15, 2026 | Upcoming |
Sample Cutoff Marks (2025)
| Course | JAMB | Post-UTME | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Science | 261 | 57 | Very High |
| Pharmacy | 257 | 78 | Very High |
| Software Engineering | 235 | 65 | High |
| Medicine and Surgery | 231 | 58 | High |
| Business Administration | 225 | 71 | High |
| Agricultural Engineering | 224 | 73 | High |
| Computer Engineering | 220 | 51 | High |
| Architecture | 219 | 53 | Moderate |
| Anatomy | 218 | 57 | Moderate |
| Political Science | 217 | 52 | Moderate |
Tuition & Fees (2026/2027)
| Tuition fee | ₦120,000 |
| Acceptance fee (fresh students only) | ₦50,000 |
| On-campus accommodation | ₦45,000 |
| Development levy | ₦35,000 |
| Other fees (ID card, medicals, sport, etc.) | ₦40,000 |
| Estimated total per session | ₦290,000 |
For incoming undergraduate students in the 2026/2027 academic session. Returning students pay 60-70% of this amount.
Campus & Infrastructure
The Imo State University main campus is at Owerri, Imo State. The campus covers approximately 300 hectares within the Owerri metropolitan area and contains the Senate Building, the University Library, faculty complexes, residential halls and a sports complex. The Imo State University Teaching Hospital is at Orlu, approximately 40 km from Owerri. Owerri is connected to Lagos by road (about 8 hours west) and by air via Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Owerri.