UNA (Université Nationale d'Agriculture): Courses, Fees, Admission & Accreditation 2026

If you are considering a government university in Benin Republic focused on agriculture and related sciences, the Université Nationale d'Agriculture (UNA) is one of the country's national public universities.

With its official seat in Porto-Novo and schools in other towns of southern Benin, such as Sakété, UNA offers programmes in aquaculture, horticulture, plant production and seed systems, food processing and conservation, rural engineering, animal production, agribusiness, rural sociology and tropical forestry. For the 2026–2027 academic year, official orientation information lists programmes across nine specialised schools at UNA.

This guide explains what prospective students, especially Nigerians and other international students, should know about UNA's courses, admission, fees, language and recognition before enrolling.

• Official name: Université Nationale d'Agriculture (UNA)

• Type: public / government university, thematic and specialised in agriculture

• Main location: official seat in Porto-Novo (Ouémé Department); schools in other towns, including Sakété (Plateau Department)

• Academic system: Licence–Master–Doctorat (LMD)

• Main academic environment: Francophone

• International students: accepted; Nigerians apply as foreign applicants

• Establishments: 9 specialised schools

• Origin: grew out of the Université d'Agriculture de Kétou (UAK, created 2013) and was reorganised as UNA by Decree No. 2017-125 of 21 February 2017

Benin's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research officially lists UNA among the country's national public universities, alongside UAC, the University of Parakou and UNSTIM.

Yes. UNA is a public, thematic national university of the Republic of Benin, created to concentrate the country's higher agricultural training, research and rural development capacity in one specialised institution. Its status in Benin should be kept separate from questions about recognition of a particular qualification in another country.

Current orientation information lists nine specialised schools:

1. EAq: École d'Aquaculture

2. EHAEV: École d'Horticulture et d'Aménagement des Espaces Verts

3. EGPVS: École de Gestion et de Production Végétale et Semencière

4. ESTCTPA: École des Sciences et Techniques de Conservation et de Transformation des Produits Agricoles

5. EGR: École de Génie Rural

6. EGESE: École de Gestion et d'Exploitation des Systèmes d'Elevage

7. EAPA: École d'Agrobusiness et de Politiques Agricoles

8. ESRVA: École de Sociologie rurale et de Vulgarisation Agricole

9. EForT: École de Foresterie Tropicale

Together they cover production, processing, engineering, livestock, business and policy, rural sociology and forestry.

• Aquaculture: fish, crustacean and shellfish production, aquafeed formulation, aquarium design, and the production, management and certification of aquaculture seed stock.

• Horticulture and green space management: horticultural enterprise management, irrigation systems, seed and seedling production, pest management, and the design and installation of green spaces.

• Plant production and seed systems: crop production, seed production and seed-bank management, soil fertility, plant protection and plant biotechnology.

• Food science, conservation and processing: agri-food industry and human nutrition, bio-resource industries, and packaging, storage and conditioning of agricultural products.

• Rural engineering: agricultural equipment, rural electrification and renewable energy, and rural infrastructure and sanitation, including irrigation and drainage works.

• Animal production systems: livestock and animal health management across cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, grasscutters, poultry and dairy operations.

• Agribusiness and agricultural policy: agricultural finance, farm and agribusiness management, and marketing of inputs and produce.

• Rural sociology and agricultural extension: training for extension officers and rural development specialists.

• Tropical forestry: forest and wildlife resource management, protected areas, forest mapping, silviculture and non-timber forest product value chains.

Verify the exact programme for your qualification and admission year, since availability can change between sessions.

UNA takes part in Benin's national admissions process for public universities, coordinated through the Ministry of Higher Education's official platform. It covers new baccalaureate holders, holders of technical diplomas (DEAT) and foreign students, depending on the school and programme. A typical application involves:

1. Creating an applicant account on the official national platform.

2. Completing personal and academic information.

3. Selecting the university, school and programme.

4. Uploading required documents.

5. Submitting the application or choices.

6. Review by the relevant school.

7. Consulting the admission or ranking result.

8. Receiving updates through the applicant portal and email.

Most UNA programmes recruit through the national classement (ranking) system, with specific baccalaureate series (typically C, D and relevant DEAT technical tracks) recommended per programme. For the general process, read how to apply to a university in Benin Republic.

Depending on the applicant and programme, documents may include a birth certificate, a certificate of nationality, an identity card or other identification, your previous diploma, academic transcripts, a curriculum vitae, supporting academic documents for the level you want, and additional documents for foreign applicants. Check the current requirements for your programme and category, and see our admission requirements guide.

Nigerian students can apply to UNA as foreign applicants. Foreign candidates can face additional requirements, such as evidence of the authenticity of qualifications obtained outside Benin and immigration or residence documents where applicable. Do not assume the process for a Beninese applicant is identical to yours.

Benin uses the Baccalauréat system, while Nigeria uses WAEC and NECO. The key issue is whether your qualification satisfies the admission, equivalence or authentication requirements for your programme and level. Have your documents and intended programme checked before making major financial commitments.

UNA is an official public university listed by Benin's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. "Accredited" does not answer every recognition question: whether your exact programme is authorised, whether the qualification will be recognised elsewhere, and whether a professional regulator will accept it are separate issues. See our guide to accredited universities in Benin Republic.

UNA's status as a public university in Benin is verifiable through Benin's Ministry of Higher Education. Nigeria's treatment of foreign qualifications is a separate matter: since January 2024, Nigeria has suspended the accreditation of Benin and Togo degree certificates, which currently affects NYSC mobilisation. Read NYSC and Nigerian recognition rules for Benin Republic degrees.

There is no responsible way to publish one permanent figure as "UNA school fees" for every student. UNA has different schools, programmes, levels and student categories, and postgraduate programmes may cost differently.

Fee notice: university fees can change between academic sessions. Do not pay from an old online fee list. Contact the Beninfo247 Care Line on WhatsApp for the latest verified UNA tuition, registration and programme fees before paying. For wider cost planning, see our tuition fees and accommodation guide. UNA operates within Benin's official public-university payment framework: follow its current official instructions, and be cautious about anyone offering to "process everything" without official documentation.

UNA operates in Benin's Francophone higher-education environment. Do not assume your programme will be taught in English. Confirm the teaching language, the examination language, whether French proficiency is required, and whether language support is available.

UNA's official seat is in Porto-Novo, in the Ouémé Department, under Decree No. 2021-379 of 14 July 2021 on the statutes of Benin's public universities. Its schools are not all in one town: the 2017 decree that set up UNA places its food processing and conservation school in Sakété, in the Plateau Department, and the university grew out of the Université d'Agriculture de Kétou. Check which town your programme is taught in before you plan accommodation. Sakété is relatively close to the Nigerian border compared with some other Beninese university towns, so consider transport, accommodation and your arrival route when comparing institutions.

Your real budget goes beyond tuition: accommodation, food, transport, internet and data, academic materials, documentation, residence or immigration requirements where applicable, healthcare, and travel between Nigeria and Benin. The useful comparison is total cost of study, not tuition alone.

UAC is a large, multidisciplinary university near Cotonou. The University of Parakou is a multidisciplinary public university in the north. UNSTIM is a thematic university for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. UNA is entirely thematic, dedicated to agriculture and allied sciences, with no general faculties such as law, medicine or the humanities. Compare programme availability, admission requirements, language, current fees, location, professional recognition and your plans for the qualification.

UNA is a public university in Benin and accepts foreign applicants, which is a strong starting point. Before paying tuition, confirm:

1. The exact programme is currently offered.

2. Your Nigerian qualification is acceptable for admission.

3. You understand the language of instruction.

4. You have checked the current Nigerian recognition, NYSC and professional requirements for your intended career.

Is UNA a private university? No. It is a public, government university in the Republic of Benin.

Where is UNA located? Its official seat is in Porto-Novo. Some schools are in other towns, for example the food processing and conservation school in Sakété.

Can Nigerians study at UNA? Yes, as foreign applicants, subject to the admission requirements.

Does UNA offer only agriculture? UNA is entirely dedicated to agriculture and allied sciences. It does not offer general faculties such as law, medicine or the humanities. Students seeking those should look at UAC or the University of Parakou.

Does UNA offer aquaculture or fisheries training? Yes, through the École d'Aquaculture.

Does UNA offer forestry programmes? Yes, through the École de Foresterie Tropicale.

Does UNA offer animal production or veterinary-adjacent training? UNA offers animal production and livestock management through its École de Gestion et d'Exploitation des Systèmes d'Elevage. This is distinct from full veterinary medicine training.

Is UNA English-speaking? Do not assume so. Confirm the language for your exact programme.

How much is UNA school fees? Fees depend on programme, level and student status and can change. Contact the Beninfo247 Care Line on WhatsApp for the current fee before paying.

Is UNA accredited in Benin? It is an official public university listed by Benin's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Can a UNA graduate go for NYSC? NYSC mobilisation for Benin and Togo graduates is currently suspended by Nigeria. Read our NYSC guide.

Before you pay, verify whether your qualification gives you admission, the current tuition and other charges, whether your programme is available, the language of instruction, the documents required for international students, and the recognition implications for your career. Contact the Beninfo247 Care Line on WhatsApp for current UNA admission and tuition information.

Last reviewed by Beninfo247: October 2026.

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