The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has introduced a ?5,000 fee per course for students applying to take their examinations virtually.
The new fee is currently reflected on the official website of the NOUN Directorate of Examinations and Assessments (DEA), where students are informed that Virtual Examination now attracts a charge of ?5,000 for each course registered.
According to the information currently available, the fee will be automatically deducted from the student’s NOUN e-wallet during Virtual Examination registration.
How Much Will Students Pay?
The Virtual Examination charge is calculated per course.
For example:
1 course – ?5,000
2 courses – ?10,000
4 courses – ?20,000
6 courses – ?30,000
8 courses – ?40,000
10 courses – ?50,000
Students intending to sit for several courses virtually should therefore ensure that they have enough funds in their NOUN e-wallet before starting the registration process.
Who Does This Affect?
This development mainly affects students who want to take their POP or e-Examinations virtually instead of physically at an examination centre.
Virtual Examination may be applicable to students in situations such as:
Students currently residing outside Nigeria.
Students with health-related challenges.
Students on national or official assignments.
Students with other circumstances that may qualify them for Virtual Examination.
However, students should note that Virtual Examination applications are subject to approval by the university.
Registering or paying the fee does not automatically mean that the student’s application has been approved.
Documents Required for Virtual Examination
Students applying for Virtual Examination may be required to provide supporting documents depending on their circumstances.
For students outside Nigeria, these may include:
Valid international passport data page.
Valid visa or residence document.
Current residential address outside Nigeria.
Current mobile phone number in the country of residence.
Students applying because of health challenges, national assignments or other exceptional circumstances may also be required to provide relevant evidence.
NOUN requires supporting documents to be merged into a single PDF file before uploading.
Incomplete or incorrect documentation may lead to the application being rejected or disqualified.
Virtual Examination Registration Deadline
Students should also take note that Virtual Examination registration closes at the same time as course and examination registration.
This means that students interested in Virtual Examination should not wait until the general examination-registration deadline has passed before applying.
It is advisable to complete the registration early, upload the required documents correctly and continue checking the portal for the status of the application.
When Was the ?5,000 Virtual Examination Fee Introduced?
The ?5,000-per-course charge appears to be a development associated with the 2026_2 academic semester.
The official NOUN Directorate of Examinations and Assessments page currently states that Virtual Examination “now attracts a fee of ?5,000 per course.”
However, as of 27 August 2026, the university has not stated an exact commencement or approval date for the fee on the Virtual Examination notice.
For this reason, students should be careful with reports assigning a specific date to the introduction of the fee unless NOUN later publishes a dated circular or official announcement confirming the effective date.
What is currently clear is that students registering for Virtual Examination should expect the portal to charge ?5,000 per course.
What This Means for NOUN Students
The new charge means that students who plan to take their examinations virtually will need to budget for an additional fee apart from their normal semester, course and examination-registration expenses.
For example, a student registering six courses for Virtual Examination would need an additional:
6 × ?5,000 = ?30,000
Students should therefore calculate the total cost of their registered courses before funding their e-wallet.
Important Advice to Students
Before applying for NOUN Virtual Examination, students should:
Confirm that they meet the requirements for Virtual Examination.
Complete their course and examination registration.
Ensure sufficient funds are available in their NOUN e-wallet.
Prepare all necessary supporting documents.
Merge the supporting documents into one PDF file.
Submit the Virtual Examination application before registration closes.
Continue checking the portal for approval or further instructions.
Students should also avoid making payments to individuals claiming they can guarantee Virtual Examination approval.
Final approval remains the responsibility of the National Open University of Nigeria.
NOUN Update Will Continue Monitoring the Development
NOUN Update will continue to monitor official NOUN sources for further clarification regarding the ?5,000 Virtual Examination fee, including any announcement stating the exact date the charge became effective.
We will also continue providing important updates relating to:
TMA schedules and submission.
Examination registration.
School fees and other charges.
NOUN portal availability.
Course and programme changes.
Academic calendars and deadlines.
Important notices affecting NOUN students.
Students are encouraged to regularly check their official NOUN portals and follow reliable NOUN Update channels for verified information.
Please share this update with other NOUN students who may be considering Virtual Examination.
NOUN UPDATE
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Website: www.nounupdate.com
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