13 Best Nursing Schools In Nigeria

There are federal, state, and private nursing schools in Nigeria but which ones are the best? This blog post does not just discuss the best nursing schools in Nigeria but also provides other details such as admission requirements, JAMB cut-off mark and subject combination, and fees to help you make better decisions on where you will be applying for a nursing program.

Nursing is a discipline of health sciences and a difficult and highly selective program to gain entry. Only the bests of the bests are selected and that is why the entry requirements are tough and JAMB and PUTME cut-off marks are set so high that only the most-intelligent ones can enter. And this is so in other countries abroad.

There are over 250 nursing schools in Nigeria but all of them must fall under one of the following categories:

  • School of Nursing (Basic)
  • Schools of Midwifery (Basic/Post Basic)
  • Schools of Post Basic Nursing Specialties
  • Departments of Nursing Sciences
  • Community Midwifery Programme
  • Community Nursing Programme

These are the 6 different categories of schools that every nursing school in the country must fall under. Also, ensure that any nursing school you are applying for is fully approved and accredited by the Nursing & Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). You can find a list of all approved nursing schools here and you can also find some that are under accreditation process so that you can know where you will be directing your application to.

The nursing profession is one of the most lucrative in the country and a lot of people are picking the program due to the countless opportunities it offers both within and outside the nation. In fact, a lot of people are picking nursing as a way to leave the country to continue their training and practice abroad in countries like the UK and Canada. According to JAMB, nursing science is one of the most selected courses in Nigeria.

For young and aspiring nurses, you must have been confused about which way to study nursing in Nigeria. To help clear the air, there are two ways to study nursing in Nigeria: you can either go to a nursing school which takes about 3 years to complete, or take a nursing course at one of the universities in the country.

A nursing school offers direct hands-on practical training and confers a Registered Nursing (RN) certification when you complete the program. Whereas a university offering a nursing program teaches students both the theoretical and practical aspects of nursing.

The theory is done on campus and takes 2 years while the practical aspect takes 3 years at a teaching hospital. When you graduate, you will be given a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and a Registered Nursing (RN) certification.

Now that you know this, let’s see the requirements one needs to meet to gain entry into a nursing school in Nigeria.

Admission Requirements for Nursing Schools in Nigeria

These requirements are the same for any of the nursing schools in the country you wish to attend.

  1. You must have completed your secondary school education or in your last year at the time of application.
  2. You must be a science student
  3. You need to have a minimum of five “C” or credit passes including math and English in more than two sittings in your O’level results which are WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB.
  4. The required subjects in WAEC for nursing science are math, English, civic education, biology, physics, chemistry, a trade subject, geography, and any other subject.
  5. Pass the JAMB cut-off mark for nursing science at your host institution, 270 is a safe score.
  6. JAMB subject combinations are the Use of English, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics or Mathematics.
  7. You must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.

Cost of Nursing Schools in Nigeria

Since you are preparing to enter a nursing school in Nigeria, you may also want to know the school fees. Just know that nursing is an expensive education in Nigeria and whichever route you decide to follow, you cannot escape the high tuition fees.

The cost of nursing schools in Nigeria varies from school to school but the cheapest are federal universities offering nursing science degree programs with tuition ranging between NGN80,000 to NGN200,000 per year. State and federal nursing schools that fall under the category of Departments of Nursing Science are the cheapest routes to get a nursing education in Nigeria.

The most expensive are private universities that offer nursing sciences. Their tuitions can fall between NGN500,000 to NGN1 million per year.

nursing schools in Nigeria

8 Best Nursing Schools in Nigeria & Their Costs

From my research, the following are some of the best nursing schools in Nigeria and their cost.

  • School of Nursing, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)
  • Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Teaching Hospital School of Nursing
  • Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital School of Nursing
  • School of Nursing, University of Benin Teaching Hospital
  • FCT School of Nursing, Gwagwalada, Abuja
  • The University of Nigeria (UNN) School of Nursing
  • School of Nursing University College Hospital, Ibadan
  • School of Nursing, Joint Hospital Mbano

1.     School of Nursing, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)

LUTH is a popular teaching hospital in Lagos, Nigeria and its strategic location at the heart of the most vibrant and popular city in West Africa makes it one of the most sought-after schools in the country. The nursing school offers a practical nursing experience to aspiring nurses and its location allows students to explore the vibrant city and gain new experiences.

The school fee is not the same every year but it is usually below NGN250,000. At the end of your nursing education, you get an RN certification and later a licensure to start practicing as a nurse.

2.     Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Teaching Hospital School of Nursing

OAU is undoubtedly one of the best universities in Nigeria and it comes as no surprise that its school of nursing tops the list of the best in the country. Students of the school of nursing at OAU expose students to a high level of experiential and practical training where to learn directly from some of the country’s best.

School fee is high here at NGN230,000 per year.

3.     Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital School of Nursing

Ahmadu Bello University is located in the Northern part of the country and is one of the oldest higher institutions in Nigeria. Its nursing school is also recognized among the best in the country where professional nurses and midwives are trained by some of the highly recognized professionals in the country.

You have to be, at least, 18 years old and no more than 26 years old to apply here. The tuition is NGN200,000 per year.

4.     School of Nursing, University of Benin Teaching Hospital

If you are looking for a cheap nursing school in Nigeria to attend then you should look into the school of nursing at UNIBEN. The tuition fee per year is around NGN85,000 and offers quality nursing practical education with high-tech facilities to students.

5.     FCT School of Nursing, Gwagwalada, Abuja

Abuja is the capital of Nigeria with a high standard of living and houses some of the best universities in the country with state-of-the-art facilities. If you want to study nursing here, then get ready to spend a lot more money because tuitions are higher and the living expenses are also on the high side.

The nursing school at FCT offers practical training to groom professional nurses in the country and beyond with the aid of professionals and standard facilities. The school fee is NGN200,000.

6.     The University of Nigeria (UNN) School of Nursing

UNN is one of the oldest and most reputable higher institutions in Nigeria offering a wide range of degree programs in science, arts, and business fields. UNN also houses a nursing department that offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree which takes 5 years to complete. The BSN from the school competes with others from other parts of the world.

The department also boasts of having the best facilities to groom nursing professionals who will become future caregivers in the country’s underserved regions in the southeast region.

7.     School of Nursing University College Hospital, Ibadan

UCH, Ibadan School of Nursing ranks among the top nursing schools in Nigeria and West Africa as a whole. The nursing school boasts of offering world-class training in the areas of research, practice, and services that are recognized in the whole of West Africa and beyond.

The program duration is 3 years and the tuition is NGN250,000 per year.

8.     School of Nursing, Joint Hospital Mbano

This nursing school is consistently ranked among the top 20 nursing schools in Nigeria. It is located in Imo state and grooms future professional nurses to serve the underserved regions in the southeast region of Nigeria. Students are trained by highly qualified professionals in the field and the facilities help develop students’ hands-on learning. The tuition is NGN200,000 per session.

These are some of the best nursing schools in the country but there are hundreds more where you can get a really good nursing education and still be recognized for your skill within and outside the country.

5 Best Nursing Schools in Lagos

If you are looking to get a quality nursing education from Africa’s most populated state, Lagos, below are options you can look out for.

  • Department of Nursing, University of Lagos
  • School of Nursing, Military Hospital, Yaba
  • School of Nursing, Igando
  • School of Orthopedic Nursing, Igbobi
  • School of Mental Health Nursing, Federal Neuropsychiatric, Yaba

1.     Department of Nursing, University of Lagos

UNILAG is one of the most competitive federal universities in Nigeria and also one of the best in the country. Its nursing department is one of the places where you may consider pursuing a quality nursing education. Two types of admission are offered to generic and direct entry students.

There are also two types of programs for those without RN certification and those with RN certification. Applicants who fall in the former category will study for 5 years and those in the latter category will study for 4 years. They will both graduate with a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree. The school fee is NGN130,000.

2.     School of Nursing, Military Hospital, Yaba

This school of nursing at Yaba is for suitably qualified military, para-military personnel, and civilians. It offers an 18-month Post Basic Midwifery program. To enter the program, you must be a Registered Nurse (RN) with a minimum of 6 months of working experience, be a Nigerian by birth, and have your practicing license. The school fee is NGN110,000

3.     School of Nursing, Igando

The nursing school at Igando is one of the best in Lagos State because it offers the most nursing programs. You will find midwifery, post-basic nursing, psychiatric nursing, basic nursing, and basic midwifery programs at the institution.

This gives applicants to pursue their preferred nursing program without gathering too many options since all programs are gathered in one place. But the con of the school is that it is not large and therefore does not admit many students. The duration of any nursing program 3 years. The school fee is NGN250,000.

4.     School of Orthopedic Nursing, Igbobi

If you are looking to be an orthopedic nurse then this is the school for you. To gain entry into this school you must have your Registered Nurse certification with a license and have already been practicing for a few years. This is a good option for those who want to advance their nursing careers to the next level and explore other fields.

You must also have some experience in the accident & emergency or orthopedic department of a hospital to increase your chances of entering the program. The orthopedic nursing program takes one year to complete. The school fee is NGN179,000

5.     School of Mental Health Nursing, Federal Neuropsychiatric, Yaba

If you want to explore other aspects of nursing and decided to go with mental health, then the School of Mental Health at Yaba, Lagos may be a good place for you. But to enter the program, you must be a licensed professional nurse with an RN and, at least, one year of working experience. The school fee is NGN150,000.

And this wraps up the post on the best nursing schools in Nigeria, I hope it can help you decide your next action.

Nursing Schools in Nigeria – FAQs

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