You want to study nursing, but the options feel overwhelming. Over my years of preparing students for their WAEC and JAMB exams, I have watched brilliant candidates lose out simply because they lacked the right information. Finding the Top 20 School Of Nursing In Nigeria And Their Fees is exactly what you need to solve this puzzle.
In this article, you will get straight facts. We cover admission reality checks, specific tuition ranges, and unique campus details. By the end, you and your parents will know exactly where to apply based on your budget and academic strength.
Here is a quick list of the schools we will explore:
University of Ibadan (UI)
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
University of Lagos (UNILAG)
University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
University of Benin (UNIBEN)
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)
University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)
Bayero University Kano (BUK)
Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS)
Lagos State University (LASU)
Delta State University (DELSU)
Babcock University
Afe Babalola University (ABUAD)
Madonna University
UCH College of Nursing
LUTH College of Nursing
FCT College of Nursing Sciences
Mater Misericordiae College of Nursing Sciences
What Is School of Nursing?
A school of nursing is a specialized educational institution or university department designed to train students in the theoretical and practical care of patients. These schools prepare candidates to pass the professional exams set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to become registered nurses.
Nursing education goes far beyond reading textbooks. It is brutal, beautiful work. Students learn anatomy, pharmacology, and patient psychology. They do clinical rotations in busy hospital wards. You literally learn how to save lives. Today, the system is shifting heavily toward the ND/HND nursing model or the standard Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) degree route.
The Top 20 School Of Nursing In Nigeria And Their Fees
Let us break down the Top 20 School Of Nursing In Nigeria And Their Fees. I have grouped federal, state, private, and hospital-based institutions to give you a complete picture.
1. University of Ibadan (UI)
The University of Ibadan offers a premier nursing degree program renowned for clinical excellence and research. Regarded as Nigeria’s best, this federal institution provides top-tier medical training. Expect to pay between ₦150,000 and ₦250,000 per academic session. Its affiliation guarantees unmatched practical exposure for student nurses.
UI stands tall at the number one spot for a reason. They practically wrote the blueprint for nursing education in this country. Students here spend thousands of hours at the University College Hospital (UCH). You get a B.NSc degree. The competition is fierce. You need a JAMB score well above 270 to even stand a chance here. The fees remain highly subsidized because it is a federal school.
2. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife
OAU boasts a rigorous nursing curriculum focused on community health and advanced clinical practices. Securing admission here demands exceptionally high UTME scores. As a federal university, tuition fees range from ₦120,000 to ₦200,000 per session. The department is highly respected across West Africa for producing brilliant healthcare leaders.
Great Ife does not joke with their medical students. I remember reviewing the OAU post-UTME past questions with a student last year. The science sections are tough. But the reward is worth it. What makes OAU unique is their heavy emphasis on rural health outreach. You will not just sit in an air-conditioned ward. You will go into communities.
3. University of Lagos (UNILAG)
Located in the heart of Nigeria’s commercial capital, UNILAG offers a highly competitive nursing science degree. Students benefit from direct access to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Session fees are estimated between ₦150,000 and ₦250,000. It ranks high due to modern teaching facilities and an intensive academic culture.
Living in Lagos means you get exposed to diverse medical cases. UNILAG nursing students see it all. The hustle is real here. The unique thing about UNILAG is the networking. Your classmates today are the chief matrons and hospital directors of tomorrow.
4. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
UNN provides an exceptional nursing program deeply rooted in academic research and comprehensive patient care. Earning a spot here requires excellent grades. Tuition is highly affordable, falling between ₦100,000 and ₦180,000 yearly. It makes this list for its vast alumni network and historic contributions to Nigerian healthcare.
The Lion and Lionesses run a tight ship at their Enugu campus where the medical programs are housed. UNN has one of the oldest nursing programs in the East. They have produced generations of matrons. Expect a very traditional, highly disciplined approach to nursing education here.
5. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria
ABU Zaria houses the largest medical faculty in Northern Nigeria, offering a stellar nursing degree. The university combines strong theoretical foundations with massive clinical rotations. Students typically pay between ₦110,000 and ₦170,000 per session. Its ranking reflects its massive capacity and influence in regional healthcare development.
ABU is a giant. The campus is basically its own city. For nursing students, this means the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital is your playground. They see a massive volume of patients daily. Your clinical experience here is raw and vast.
6. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
UNILORIN runs a fast-paced, highly structured nursing program known for producing competent graduates without academic delays. Getting admitted is incredibly tough due to high applicant volumes. School fees generally range from ₦130,000 to ₦210,000 annually. It earns its spot through consistent academic calendars and excellent teaching standards.
Everyone wants to go to UNILORIN. I constantly have parents asking me about their admission requirements. The Better By Far university rarely goes on strike. That is their biggest selling point. You get in, you spend your five years, and you graduate.
7. University of Benin (UNIBEN)
UNIBEN delivers a high-quality nursing science degree backed by the robust University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Clinical exposure begins early in the program. Federal tuition applies, costing students roughly ₦140,000 to ₦230,000 per session. The school is highly ranked for its strict grading and exceptional clinical supervisors.
If you want to understand human anatomy inside out, UNIBEN pushes you hard. The lecturers here do not pamper anyone. You must know your stuff. The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) is a massive facility in the South-South, giving students endless practical hours.
8. Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka
UNIZIK offers a dynamic nursing curriculum designed to meet modern global healthcare standards. The university partners with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Nnewi. Tuition falls between ₦120,000 and ₦190,000 per session. It remains a top choice in the South-East due to aggressive infrastructural upgrades.
UNIZIK is upgrading rapidly. Their medical campus in Nnewi is a hub of activity. The unique factor here is the entrepreneurial mindset woven into the student culture. Even as nursing students, they are taught leadership and healthcare management.
9. University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)
UNIPORT focuses heavily on tropical medicine and Niger Delta health issues within its nursing program. Admission is strictly merit-based. Students pay an estimated ₦150,000 to ₦240,000 per academic year. The program stands out for producing resilient nurses trained to handle complex environmental health challenges.
Port Harcourt presents unique health challenges. Industrial pollution and regional diseases shape the curriculum here. When you train at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, you become a tough, adaptable nurse.
10. Bayero University Kano (BUK)
BUK provides a culturally rich, academically intense nursing degree program supported by modern medical facilities. Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital serves as their primary training ground. Fees range from ₦110,000 to ₦180,000 per session. BUK is highly rated for its specialized care training and peaceful academic environment.
Northern students flock here, but BUK is very diverse. Their teaching hospital is one of the best-equipped in the region. The university administration invests heavily in medical simulation labs, which is a huge plus for fresh nursing students.
11. Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS)
UDUS offers a comprehensive nursing science program that emphasizes community health and preventive medicine. This federal university maintains affordable tuition, typically between ₦100,000 and ₦160,000 annually. It secures its ranking through a calm, distraction-free campus and a strong commitment to producing rural healthcare providers.
A very peaceful school. I tell students who want zero distractions to head to Sokoto. The cost of living is very low. You can focus entirely on your heavy nursing textbooks.
12. Lagos State University (LASU)
LASU runs a fiercely competitive, ultra-modern nursing degree program linked with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. As a state institution, fees are slightly higher, ranging from ₦250,000 to ₦450,000. It makes the list due to its rapid rise in medical rankings and prime urban location.
LASU has rebranded completely. Forget the old stories. The LASU College of Medicine (LASUCOM) in Ikeja is world-class. You are trained by some of the most sought-after consultants in Lagos. The fees are a bit steep for a public school, but the facilities justify the cost.
13. Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka
DELSU provides a solid, practical-focused nursing program highly respected in the South-South region. The Delta State University Teaching Hospital in Oghara provides excellent clinical grounds. Fees generally run between ₦200,000 and ₦350,000 per session. It earns its place through consistent output of highly skilled registered nurses.
DELSU is strict. Their dress code, their classes, their clinicals. Everything is regulated. The Oghara teaching hospital is surprisingly well-equipped, giving students exposure to advanced medical machinery early in their training.
14. Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo
Babcock offers a premium, uninterrupted private nursing education with state-of-the-art simulation laboratories. Securing admission requires passing their internal screening. School fees are premium, costing between ₦1,500,000 and ₦2,500,000 per session. It ranks highly for zero strike actions and producing globally competitive, tech-savvy nurses.
Let us talk private schools. When reviewing the Top 20 School Of Nursing In Nigeria And Their Fees, Babcock is the luxury tier. Yes, it costs a fortune. But you get what you pay for. Smart boards, high-fidelity mannequins, and guaranteed graduation dates. If your parents have the funds, this is a stress-free route.
15. Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD)
ABUAD runs arguably the most technologically advanced private nursing program in Nigeria. Their multi-system teaching hospital is a marvel of modern medicine. Tuition ranges from ₦1,800,000 to ₦3,000,000 per academic year. The school makes this list for its unmatched infrastructure and international medical partnerships.
I visited the ABUAD hospital once. Mind-blowing. They perform open-heart surgeries there. As a nursing student, you are learning in an environment that rivals hospitals in the UK or USA.
| Feature | Detail |
| Institution | ABUAD |
| Hospital | Multi-System Hospital (AMSH) |
| Tech Level | Ultra-Modern |
16. Madonna University, Elele
Madonna provides a highly disciplined, spiritually grounded nursing education in a private university setting. The Elele campus houses their massive teaching hospital. Expect tuition fees to fall between ₦1,200,000 and ₦1,800,000 per session. It secures its spot through rigorous moral training and intense clinical supervision.
Madonna is not for the faint-hearted. The rules are intense. But hospital administrators love Madonna graduates. Why? They are incredibly disciplined and hardworking. You will live and breathe nursing here.
17. University College Hospital (UCH) College of Nursing, Ibadan
UCH College of Nursing offers an elite, hospital-based ND/HND nursing program deeply rooted in clinical practice. As a purely professional school, admission is highly competitive. Session fees range from ₦150,000 to ₦250,000. It holds its ranking as the historical gold standard for nursing training in Nigeria.
Notice this is different from the UI degree. This is the hospital’s own college. You are basically living inside the hospital. From your first year, you are wearing the uniform and walking the wards. Pure, unadulterated clinical experience.
18. Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) College of Nursing, Idi-Araba
LUTH College of Nursing delivers a fast-paced, highly practical ND/HND program right in the center of Lagos. The entrance exams are notoriously tough. Students pay between ₦180,000 and ₦300,000 per session. The school is favored for its immediate immersion into high-pressure urban medical care.
Idi-Araba never sleeps. LUTH handles thousands of emergencies weekly. If you train here, you will develop thick skin and rapid reflexes. You learn to work under pressure.
19. FCT College of Nursing Sciences, Gwagwalada, Abuja
The FCT College of Nursing provides a top-tier ND/HND nursing program backed by federal healthcare resources in Abuja. The school boasts modern hostels and strict academic standards. Tuition is generally between ₦150,000 and ₦250,000 annually. It makes the list for its excellent facilities and strategic capital city location.
Abuja schools have a different vibe. Clean, organized, and very competitive. The Gwagwalada teaching hospital attached to this college gives students access to diverse cases, from diplomacy staff to regular citizens.
20. Mater Misericordiae College of Nursing Sciences, Afikpo
Mater Misericordiae runs a historic, mission-based nursing program known for producing exceptionally skilled and ethical nurses. Located in Ebonyi State, it requires a solid JAMB score for its ND route. Fees range from ₦150,000 to ₦250,000 per session. Its ranking reflects decades of uncompromised healthcare training excellence.
Mission schools just hit differently. The Catholic sisters who run things here do not tolerate laziness. They will drill you. By the time you graduate from Afikpo, passing the NMCN professional exam feels like a walk in the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which school of nursing is the cheapest in Nigeria?
Federal hospital-based colleges and federal university degree programs are the cheapest. Institutions like the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and UDUS charge between ₦100,000 and ₦180,000 per session. However, accommodation and practical levies often add to the total cost, so always budget an extra ₦100,000.
Which school is the best for nursing in Nigeria?
The University of Ibadan (UI) alongside the University College Hospital (UCH) is widely considered the best for nursing in Nigeria. They offer unmatched clinical exposure, highly experienced consultants, and a curriculum that heavily influences the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria standards.
Which university can I study nursing with 200?
With a JAMB score of 200, you have a better chance at state universities or developing federal universities. Consider applying to places like Delta State University (DELSU), Osun State University, or federal institutions like Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE). Highly competitive schools like UI or UNILAG require much higher scores.
Which nursing school can I go without a JAMB?
You can no longer easily bypass JAMB for standard registered nursing. The NMCN has transitioned basic nursing schools into ND/HND College of Nursing Sciences. This means you must write JAMB. However, some specialized Post-Basic nursing programs or basic midwifery courses may still accept direct entry without UTME.
What is the difference between ND nursing and HND nursing?
ND (National Diploma) nursing is the first two years of the new college-based nursing curriculum. After completing the ND, you undergo a year of clinical attachment before proceeding to the HND (Higher National Diploma) nursing phase, which lasts another two years. Together, they replace the old three-year certificate system.
Finding the Top 20 School Of Nursing In Nigeria And Their Fees is just step one. Now, you need to study hard. For comprehensive requirements, you can always cross-check details on the official Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria website. Stop panicking. Pick up your past questions. You have got this!
