Schools of Nursing in Nigeria 2026: Admission Requirements, Fees & How to Apply

Schools of Nursing in Nigeria 2026: Admission Requirements, Fees & How to Apply

Nursing is still one of the safest and most respected careers you can build in Nigeria. Hospitals, clinics and health agencies never seem to have enough trained hands, and demand for Nigerian nurses abroad keeps rising. That is why thousands of secondary school leavers fight for slots in Schools of Nursing in Nigeria every single year. This 2026 guide breaks down exactly how to get in. You will see the O-level requirements, the entrance exams, a list of strong federal and state schools, honest fee ranges, and a straight comparison between the School of Nursing route that gives you Registered Nurse (RN) status and the university degree route through JAMB that gives you a Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc).

If you are weighing your options for 2026, slow down and read this properly. The path you pick now can save you years of stress. It can also set you up for a career that travels well, whether you stay home or move overseas later. Understanding the Two Main Nursing Pathways

Here is the first thing to get clear. There are two very different ways into nursing in Nigeria, and two different bodies regulate them. School of Nursing (RN route): These are run mostly by state health ministries and teaching hospitals. They are certificate or diploma programmes regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). After the 2022 reforms, many of the old three-year certificate programmes shifted into a Basic Nursing diploma or the newer degree-linked structure. The heart of it stays the same though, which is heavy, practical, hospital-based training. University BNSc (JAMB route): This is a five-year Bachelor of Nursing Science degree offered by universities. You enter through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) UTME. Graduates sit the NMCN professional exam and also walk away with a full university degree.

Both routes let you register as a nurse with the NMCN in the end. What changes is the duration, the cost, the academic depth, and how far you can climb over your career. O-Level Requirements for Schools of Nursing (2026)

Your O-level grades are the foundation no matter which route you pick. Almost every School of Nursing in Nigeria wants five credit passes at not more than two sittings in these core subjects: English Language Mathematics Biology (or Health Science where it is accepted) Chemistry Physics

A lot of schools insist on all five credits in a single sitting. That means mixing WAEC and NECO results is not always allowed, so confirm with the exact school before you assume. Credits must be C6 and above, which is A1 down to C6. A D7 or E8 pass will not count for you.

Age matters too. Most Schools of Nursing want applicants between 17 and 30 years old by admission time. Some state schools stretch this up to 35. Entrance Examinations and Screening

Schools of Nursing do not just admit you on your WAEC result. Each one runs its own entrance examination and interview. If you go the university BNSc way, you sit the JAMB UTME first, then face the institution's post-UTME screening.

Here is how the two screening systems line up:

| Feature | School of Nursing (RN) | University BNSc (JAMB) | | --- | --- | --- | | Central exam | JAMB not always required (some now request it) | JAMB UTME compulsory | | UTME subjects | Varies; often not applicable | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | | Local exam | School's own entrance test | Post-UTME screening | | Interview | Yes, usually oral | Sometimes | | Cut-off | Set by each school | Often 200+ for competitive schools |

For the JAMB route, pick English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics as your four UTME subjects. Target a UTME score of at least 200. Top universities may push it to 220 or even 250 for nursing because so many people want it. Top Schools of Nursing in Nigeria (Federal and State)

Below are well-known, reputable Schools of Nursing across the country. When you choose, let reputation, clinical exposure and NMCN accreditation matter more than which one is closest to your house.

Federal and teaching hospital Schools of Nursing: School of Nursing, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State School of Nursing, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos School of Nursing, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Kaduna State School of Nursing, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu School of Nursing, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo State School of Nursing, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos

Notable state Schools of Nursing: School of Nursing, Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo State Lagos State College of Nursing (Igando) School of Nursing, Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos School of Nursing, Kano School of Nursing, Minna, Niger State School of Nursing, Ilorin, Kwara State

For the BNSc degree, strong choices include the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Benin, and Bayero University Kano. Many other schools also carry NMCN-accredited nursing departments. Fee Ranges for 2026

Fees swing widely. It depends on whether the school is federal, state or private, and whether accommodation is baked in. The figures below are realistic 2026 ranges. Still, confirm the exact amount on the school's official bulletin before you plan around it.

| Institution Type | Typical Annual Fee Range | | --- | --- | | Federal / teaching hospital School of Nursing | ₦80,000 to ₦250,000 | | State School of Nursing | ₦100,000 to ₦350,000 | | Private School of Nursing | ₦400,000 to ₦1,200,000 | | Federal university BNSc | ₦40,000 to ₦200,000 (plus faculty charges) | | State university BNSc | ₦150,000 to ₦500,000 | | Private university BNSc | ₦800,000 to ₦3,500,000 |

Tuition is not the whole story. Budget for the application form fee of ₦10,000 to ₦25,000, entrance exam fees, uniforms, textbooks, a set of clinical instruments, hostel accommodation, and eventually the NMCN professional examination fee. A safe rule of thumb is to keep an extra ₦100,000 to ₦200,000 per year ready on top of the stated tuition. Money surprises are the number one reason students stumble mid-programme, so plan for them now. RN (School of Nursing) vs BNSc (University) Compared

This is the decision that gives most applicants a headache. Let me be honest with you about both sides.

| Factor | RN (School of Nursing) | BNSc (University via JAMB) | | --- | --- | --- | | Duration | About 3 years | 5 years | | Qualification | Registered Nurse (diploma) | RN plus a university degree | | Entry route | School entrance exam | JAMB UTME plus screening | | Cost overall | Generally lower | Higher, but more academic value | | Focus | Hands-on clinical practice | Theory, research and clinical practice | | Career ceiling | Great for practice; further study needed for management | Direct path to leadership, teaching and postgraduate study | | Abroad relevance | Recognised; some countries prefer a degree | Degree preferred for many overseas roles |

Go for the School of Nursing route if you want to start practising sooner, you love intense hands-on training, and you need a cheaper way in. Plenty of RN nurses later top up to a BNSc through a post-basic or degree-conversion programme, so this door does not lock you out of anything.

Go for the BNSc route if you can give five years, you want the strongest long-term ceiling, and you plan to specialise or move into teaching, research or nursing administration. It also helps if you intend to migrate to countries that favour a degree. Step-by-Step: How to Apply for 2026 Step 1: Confirm Your O-Level Credits Check that you have five credits including English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. If a subject is missing or short, fix it before you apply anywhere. Step 2: Decide Your Route Pick the School of Nursing (RN) or the university BNSc (JAMB) pathway. Use the comparison above and, honestly, your budget. Step 3: Register for JAMB (BNSc Applicants) Going the degree route? Register for the 2026 UTME, select nursing and your preferred universities, then sit the exam. Aim for 200 and above. Step 4: Buy the Application Form Watch each School of Nursing website or the hospital notice board for when forms go on sale. Buy early. Forms only sell for a short window each year, and latecomers miss out every session. Step 5: Sit the Entrance Exam and Interview Prepare seriously. The entrance test usually covers English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and general knowledge. Show up for the oral interview neatly dressed and calm. Step 6: Accept Admission and Register Once you get an offer, pay your fees, complete the medical screening, and register with the school. Your NMCN-guided training starts almost right away. Career Prospects After Qualifying

Nursing gives you unusually stable prospects. Once you pass the NMCN licensing examination, you can work in: Government and private hospitals, clinics and primary healthcare centres Specialist units after post-basic training such as midwifery, paediatrics, anaesthesia, perioperative, accident and emergency, and public health NGOs, oil and gas companies, and school health services Nursing colleges as a teacher, after you gain a further qualification Abroad, in the UK, USA, Canada, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, once you pass local licensing exams like the NCLEX or the CBT and OSCE for the UK

A newly qualified nurse in Nigeria usually starts on ₦80,000 to ₦200,000 per month. It depends on the employer and location. That figure climbs a lot with experience, specialisation and overseas practice. FAQ Do I need JAMB to enter a School of Nursing? Traditionally, no. But after recent reforms, some schools now ask for a JAMB UTME result on top of their own entrance exam. Always confirm with your target school for 2026 so you are not caught off guard. Can I combine WAEC and NECO results? Some schools accept two sittings. Many still insist on five credits in one sitting. Check the specific school's rule before you apply. Which is better, RN or BNSc? Neither one wins for everybody. RN is faster and cheaper. BNSc hands you a degree and a higher career ceiling. Let your budget, your timeline and your long-term goals decide. How much should I budget in total for 2026? For a state or federal School of Nursing, plan for roughly ₦300,000 to ₦600,000 in your first year, covering fees, uniforms, books and accommodation. Private schools and private university BNSc programmes cost a good deal more. Can a School of Nursing graduate work abroad? Yes. RN nurses work abroad after passing the destination country's licensing exam. Some countries lean toward a degree these days, which is why many nurses later convert to a BNSc. Wrapping Up

Getting into a School of Nursing in Nigeria in 2026 comes down to good preparation. Lock in your five O-level credits including English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Decide clearly between the RN and BNSc routes. Budget with real numbers, not wishful ones. Then take the entrance exams as seriously as they deserve. Both pathways lead to a respected, in-demand profession with strong prospects at home and abroad. Browse more university admissions guides on ScholarsAfrik to compare institutions, understand JAMB and post-UTME requirements, and plan your application with confidence. Start early, pick the route that fits your goals, and you could soon be on your way to a proud career in nursing.