Nursing is one of the most respected and competitive health courses in Nigeria. Every year, thousands of students apply to Schools of Nursing, Colleges of Nursing Sciences, Schools of Midwifery and university departments of Nursing Science because the profession offers strong career opportunities in hospitals, clinics, public health centres, NGOs and even outside Nigeria.
However, before applying to any nursing school, one of the most important things to check is whether the school is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. This is very important because attending an unapproved school can affect your registration, licence and future career as a nurse.
This article provides a helpful guide on the list of approved Schools of Nursing in Nigeria and their estimated fees for 2026. It also explains how to confirm if a nursing school is approved, the general admission requirements, and the important mistakes applicants should avoid.
What Is an Approved School of Nursing?
An approved School of Nursing is a nursing training institution that has been accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. This means the school has met the required standard for teaching, facilities, clinical training, staffing and professional nursing education.
Approved nursing institutions in Nigeria may include:
- Schools of Nursing
- Colleges of Nursing Sciences
- Schools of Midwifery
- Post Basic Nursing Schools
- University Departments of Nursing Science
- Community Nursing and Community Midwifery programmes
Before choosing any school, candidates should understand that not every school using the word “nursing” is approved. Some schools may advertise nursing-related programmes online, but that does not automatically mean they are accredited for professional nursing training.
Why You Must Choose an Approved Nursing School
Choosing an approved nursing school protects your future. Nursing is a regulated profession, so students must be trained in recognised institutions before they can qualify for professional registration.
If you attend an unapproved nursing school, you may face problems such as:
- Difficulty registering with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria
- Invalid or unrecognised certificate
- Waste of money and time
- Inability to write professional nursing examinations
- Difficulty getting employment as a nurse
- Problems when applying for licence renewal or foreign verification
This is why candidates and parents should always confirm approval before paying application fees, acceptance fees or school fees.
General Admission Requirements for Schools of Nursing in Nigeria
Although each school may have its own admission process, most approved nursing schools in Nigeria require candidates to have five O’level credit passes in relevant science subjects.
The required subjects usually include:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
These credits are usually accepted from WAEC, NECO or NABTEB, depending on the school’s policy. Many schools allow not more than two sittings, but applicants should always check the specific requirement of the school they want to apply to.
Some nursing programmes now require candidates to apply through JAMB, especially National Diploma and Higher National Diploma nursing programmes offered by Colleges of Nursing Sciences. University Nursing Science programmes also require JAMB because they lead to a BNSc degree.
List of Approved Schools of Nursing in Nigeria and Estimated Fees 2026
The table below contains some approved and well-known nursing institutions in Nigeria. The estimated fees are not fixed national fees. They are general 2026 estimates based on common fee ranges in public, federal, state and private nursing institutions.
Candidates should always confirm the current amount from the school’s official portal before making payment.
| S/N | State | Approved Nursing Institution | Estimated Fees for 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abia | College of Nursing Sciences, Amachara | ₦150,000 – ₦400,000 |
| 2 | Abia | College of Nursing Sciences, Umuahia | ₦150,000 – ₦400,000 |
| 3 | Abia | College of Nursing Sciences, ABSUTH, Aba | ₦150,000 – ₦450,000 |
| 4 | Abia | Archbishop Charles Heerey College of Nursing Sciences, Aba | ₦400,000 – ₦900,000 |
| 5 | Adamawa | College of Nursing Sciences, Yola | ₦150,000 – ₦400,000 |
| 6 | Adamawa | College of Nursing Sciences, MAUTH, Yola | ₦200,000 – ₦500,000 |
| 7 | Akwa Ibom | College of Nursing Sciences, Anua-Uyo | ₦180,000 – ₦450,000 |
| 8 | Akwa Ibom | College of Nursing Sciences, Ikot-Ekpene | ₦180,000 – ₦450,000 |
| 9 | Akwa Ibom | College of Nursing Sciences, Eket | ₦180,000 – ₦450,000 |
| 10 | Anambra | College of Nursing Sciences, Adazi-Nnukwu | ₦200,000 – ₦500,000 |
| 11 | Anambra | College of Nursing Sciences, Ihiala | ₦200,000 – ₦500,000 |
| 12 | Anambra | College of Nursing Sciences, Iyi-Enu | ₦300,000 – ₦800,000 |
| 13 | Anambra | College of Nursing Sciences, NAUTH, Nnewi | ₦200,000 – ₦550,000 |
| 14 | Bauchi | Aliko Dangote College of Nursing Sciences, Bauchi | ₦100,000 – ₦300,000 |
| 15 | Bauchi | College of Nursing Sciences, ATBUTH, Bauchi | ₦150,000 – ₦400,000 |
| 16 | Bayelsa | College of Nursing Sciences, Tombia | ₦150,000 – ₦400,000 |
| 17 | Benue | College of Nursing Sciences, Makurdi | ₦150,000 – ₦400,000 |
| 18 | Borno | College of Nursing Sciences, Maiduguri | ₦100,000 – ₦350,000 |
| 19 | Cross River | College of Nursing Sciences, Calabar | ₦150,000 – ₦450,000 |
| 20 | Delta | College of Nursing Sciences, Agbor | ₦180,000 – ₦500,000 |
| 21 | Delta | College of Nursing Sciences, Warri | ₦180,000 – ₦500,000 |
| 22 | Ebonyi | College of Nursing Sciences, Uburu | ₦150,000 – ₦450,000 |
| 23 | Edo | College of Nursing Sciences, UBTH, Benin City | ₦200,000 – ₦600,000 |
| 24 | Edo | St. Camillus College of Nursing Sciences, Uromi | ₦400,000 – ₦900,000 |
| 25 | Ekiti | College of Nursing Sciences, EKSUTH, Ado-Ekiti | ₦150,000 – ₦450,000 |
| 26 | Ekiti | College of Nursing Sciences, FTH, Ido-Ekiti | ₦150,000 – ₦450,000 |
| 27 | Enugu | College of Nursing Sciences, UNTH, Enugu | ₦200,000 – ₦600,000 |
| 28 | Enugu | Bishop Shanahan College of Nursing Sciences, Nsukka | ₦400,000 – ₦900,000 |
| 29 | Gombe | College of Nursing Sciences, Gombe | ₦120,000 – ₦350,000 |
| 30 | Imo | College of Nursing Sciences, Orlu | ₦150,000 – ₦450,000 |
| 31 | Imo | St. Mary College of Nursing Sciences, Amaigbo | ₦350,000 – ₦850,000 |
| 32 | Jigawa | College of Nursing Sciences, Birnin Kudu | ₦100,000 – ₦300,000 |
| 33 | Jigawa | College of Nursing Sciences, Hadejia | ₦100,000 – ₦300,000 |
| 34 | Kaduna | St. Gerard College of Nursing Sciences, Kakuri | ₦350,000 – ₦900,000 |
| 35 | Kaduna | College of Nursing Sciences, Kafanchan | ₦150,000 – ₦400,000 |
| 36 | Kaduna | Nigerian Air Force College of Nursing Sciences, Kaduna | ₦150,000 – ₦500,000 |
| 37 | Kano | College of Nursing Sciences, Kano | ₦100,000 – ₦350,000 |
| 38 | Kano | College of Nursing Sciences, AKTH, Kano | ₦150,000 – ₦500,000 |
| 39 | Katsina | College of Nursing Sciences, Katsina | ₦100,000 – ₦350,000 |
| 40 | Kebbi | College of Nursing Sciences, Birnin Kebbi | ₦100,000 – ₦350,000 |
| 41 | Kogi | ECWA College of Nursing Sciences, Egbe | ₦350,000 – ₦850,000 |
| 42 | Kogi | College of Nursing Sciences, Obangede | ₦150,000 – ₦400,000 |
| 43 | Kwara | College of Nursing Sciences, Ilorin | ₦150,000 – ₦450,000 |
| 44 | Kwara | College of Nursing Sciences, UITH, Ilorin | ₦200,000 – ₦600,000 |
| 45 | Lagos | College of Nursing Sciences, LUTH, Idi-Araba | ₦200,000 – ₦700,000 |
| 46 | Lagos | Nigerian Army College of Nursing Sciences, Yaba | ₦150,000 – ₦500,000 |
| 47 | Lagos | College of Nursing Sciences, Igando | ₦150,000 – ₦500,000 |
| 48 | Lagos | College of Nursing Sciences, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi | ₦200,000 – ₦700,000 |
| 49 | Nasarawa | College of Nursing Sciences, Lafia | ₦150,000 – ₦400,000 |
| 50 | Niger | College of Nursing Sciences, Minna | ₦150,000 – ₦400,000 |
| 51 | Niger | College of Nursing Sciences, Bida | ₦150,000 – ₦400,000 |
| 52 | Ogun | College of Nursing Sciences, Ijebu-Ode | ₦150,000 – ₦500,000 |
| 53 | Ogun | Sacred Heart College of Nursing Sciences, Lantoro | ₦300,000 – ₦800,000 |
| 54 | Ogun | College of Nursing Sciences, Ilaro | ₦150,000 – ₦450,000 |
| 55 | Ondo | College of Nursing Sciences, Akure | ₦150,000 – ₦500,000 |
| 56 | Osun | College of Nursing Sciences, Osogbo | ₦150,000 – ₦450,000 |
| 57 | Osun | College of Nursing Sciences, OAUTHC, Ile-Ife | ₦200,000 – ₦600,000 |
| 58 | Oyo | College of Nursing Sciences, Eleyele, Ibadan | ₦150,000 – ₦500,000 |
| 59 | Oyo | College of Nursing Sciences, BUTH, Ogbomosho | ₦300,000 – ₦850,000 |
| 60 | Plateau | College of Nursing Sciences, Vom | ₦150,000 – ₦450,000 |
| 61 | Rivers | College of Nursing Sciences, Port Harcourt | ₦150,000 – ₦500,000 |
| 62 | Sokoto | College of Nursing Sciences, Sokoto | ₦100,000 – ₦350,000 |
| 63 | Taraba | College of Nursing Sciences, Jalingo | ₦150,000 – ₦450,000 |
| 64 | Yobe | College of Nursing Sciences, Damaturu | ₦100,000 – ₦350,000 |
| 65 | Zamfara | College of Nursing Sciences, Gusau | ₦100,000 – ₦350,000 |
| 66 | FCT Abuja | College of Nursing Sciences, Gwagwalada | ₦150,000 – ₦500,000 |
| 67 | FCT Abuja | National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja Nursing Programme | ₦300,000 – ₦800,000 |
| 68 | FCT Abuja | Oasis College of Nursing Sciences, Kuje | ₦500,000 – ₦1,200,000 |
| 69 | FCT Abuja | Sahad College of Nursing Sciences, Abuja | ₦500,000 – ₦1,300,000 |
Important Note About Nursing School Fees in Nigeria
There is no single school fee for all nursing schools in Nigeria. The amount you will pay depends on the school, ownership, programme, year of study and whether accommodation, uniform, medicals, acceptance fee and clinical charges are included.
For example, public schools may be cheaper than private schools, while private Colleges of Nursing Sciences may charge higher fees because they include hostel, uniforms, ICT, medicals and other learning resources.
Before paying any money, visit the official website of the school or contact the admission office directly.
Estimated School Fees by Type of Nursing Institution
Below is a simple breakdown of what applicants may expect in 2026.
| Type of Nursing School | Estimated Fees |
|---|---|
| Federal nursing schools | ₦150,000 – ₦700,000 |
| State nursing schools | ₦100,000 – ₦500,000 |
| Mission nursing schools | ₦300,000 – ₦900,000 |
| Private nursing colleges | ₦500,000 – ₦1,500,000 |
| University Nursing Science programmes | ₦300,000 – ₦2,000,000 |
| Post Basic Nursing programmes | ₦150,000 – ₦700,000 |
These figures are estimates. Some schools may charge lower or higher depending on their approved fee schedule.
Other Fees Nursing Students May Pay
Apart from tuition, nursing students may also pay other charges. These charges may include:
- Application form fee
- Acceptance fee
- Uniform fee
- Hostel accommodation
- Medical examination fee
- Indexing fee
- Clinical posting fee
- Laboratory fee
- ICT fee
- Library fee
- Student handbook
- ID card fee
- Examination fee
- Matriculation fee
- This is why applicants should not only ask for “school fees.” It is better to ask for the full fee breakdown for new students.
How to Confirm If a School of Nursing Is Approved
Before you apply to any nursing school in Nigeria, take these steps:
- Visit the official NMCN approved schools list
- Search for the name of the school
- Check the state and approved programme
- Confirm whether it is approved for Nursing, Midwifery, Post Basic Nursing or Department of Nursing Science
- Check the school’s official website for admission updates
- Call only official school phone numbers
- Avoid agents who cannot provide official proof
- If the school is not on the approved list, be careful before paying any fee.
Difference Between School of Nursing and Department of Nursing Science
A School or College of Nursing Sciences usually trains students for professional nursing programmes such as Nursing, Midwifery, Community Nursing or Post Basic Nursing. Some colleges now run ND and HND Nursing programmes.
A Department of Nursing Science is usually found in a university and leads to a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree. This is commonly called BNSc.
Both routes can lead to nursing practice if the programme is approved and the student meets professional requirements. However, the admission process, duration and certificate may differ.
How to Apply for School of Nursing Admission in Nigeria
The application process depends on the school. However, most schools follow these steps:
- Visit the official admission portal
- Create an account or generate a payment invoice
- Pay the application form fee
- Fill the online application form
- Upload your passport and required documents
- Print your application slip
- Prepare for the entrance exam or screening
- Check admission list when released
- Pay acceptance fee if admitted
- Complete clearance and registration
For schools using JAMB, candidates must also register for UTME and choose the correct institution and course.
Documents Needed for Nursing School Admission
Most nursing schools require some of the following documents:
- O’level result
- Birth certificate or age declaration
- Local government identification letter
- Passport photograph
- Application form printout
- JAMB result, where applicable
- Admission letter, where applicable
- Medical fitness document
- Payment receipt
- Valid email address and phone number
Candidates should keep both original copies and photocopies of all documents.
How Long Is Nursing School in Nigeria?
The duration depends on the programme.
Basic Nursing may take about three years. Basic Midwifery may also take about three years. University Nursing Science programmes usually take five years for UTME candidates. Direct Entry candidates may spend fewer years depending on the university’s structure.
Post Basic Nursing programmes are usually shorter and are meant for already qualified nurses or midwives who want to specialise in areas such as perioperative nursing, paediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, ophthalmic nursing, accident and emergency nursing or public health nursing.
Cheapest Schools of Nursing in Nigeria
Generally, state and federal nursing schools are usually more affordable than private nursing colleges. Schools owned by teaching hospitals, state governments and federal health institutions may charge lower fees compared to private institutions.
However, cheaper does not always mean better. Candidates should consider accreditation, facilities, clinical training, location, hostel availability and admission requirements before choosing a school.
Most Expensive Nursing Schools in Nigeria
Private Colleges of Nursing Sciences and private university Nursing Science programmes are usually more expensive. Some may charge from ₦800,000 to over ₦1,500,000 per year, especially when accommodation, uniforms, medicals, ICT and other charges are included.
Parents and candidates should request the full fee schedule before accepting admission.
Common Mistakes Applicants Should Avoid
Many nursing applicants make mistakes during admission season. To avoid problems, do not make these mistakes:
- Do not apply to an unapproved school
- Do not pay into a personal bank account
- Do not believe anyone promising automatic admission
- Do not ignore O’level requirements
- Do not use fake results
- Do not wait until the last day to apply
- Do not assume all nursing schools use the same fee
- Do not forget to confirm accreditation status
- Do not share your login details with strangers
Nursing admission is competitive, so applicants should be careful and well prepared.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many approved Schools of Nursing are in Nigeria?
Nigeria has many approved nursing training institutions, including Schools of Nursing, Colleges of Nursing Sciences, Schools of Midwifery, Post Basic Nursing Schools and university Departments of Nursing Science. The official number may change after new accreditation reviews.
How much is School of Nursing fee in Nigeria for 2026?
The estimated fee ranges from about ₦100,000 to over ₦1,500,000 depending on the school, programme and ownership type.
Are private Schools of Nursing approved in Nigeria?
Yes, some private nursing schools are approved, but not all private schools are accredited. Always confirm from the official NMCN list before applying.
Can I study nursing without JAMB?
Some Basic Nursing and Midwifery programmes may not require JAMB, but many ND, HND and university Nursing Science programmes require JAMB. Always check the specific admission requirements of the school.
What subjects are required for School of Nursing?
The main required subjects are English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Is Nursing Science the same as School of Nursing?
They are related but not exactly the same. Nursing Science is usually a university degree programme, while School or College of Nursing Sciences may offer professional nursing programmes such as Basic Nursing, Midwifery, ND Nursing or Post Basic Nursing.
Which nursing school is the best in Nigeria?
The best nursing school depends on accreditation, facilities, clinical exposure, academic standard, location and affordability. Candidates should choose approved schools with strong training records.
Conclusion
Choosing an approved School of Nursing in Nigeria is one of the most important decisions for anyone who wants to become a professional nurse. Before applying, make sure the school is recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and that the programme you want to study is approved.
School fees for nursing institutions in Nigeria are not the same. Public schools are usually cheaper, while private nursing colleges and private university Nursing Science programmes are often more expensive. For 2026, applicants should budget between ₦100,000 and ₦1,500,000 or more depending on the school.
The safest advice is simple: confirm accreditation, confirm the fee from the official school portal, avoid fraudsters, and prepare your documents early.
