The National Universities Commission (NUC) approves and accredits degree programmes in Nigerian universities. This means an “NUC-approved private school of nursing” is, in practice, the nursing department, faculty or college of a private university that runs the five-year Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) degree. Basic schools of nursing and midwifery that award diplomas or Registered Nurse (RN) certificates do not fall under the NUC. Those schools are approved and monitored by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
A private university nursing programme needs two separate approvals to be fully legitimate. The NUC approves the degree as an academic programme, while the NMCN approves the professional training, inspects clinical facilities and sets the number of students the department can admit each year. Graduates of a programme that has both approvals sit the NMCN licensing examinations and register as nurses, midwives and public health nurses. A degree without NMCN approval cannot lead to a practising licence.
This guide covers private universities with approved B.NSc programmes, estimated fees for the 2026/2027 session going into 2027, admission requirements, the programmes offered, and how to confirm a school’s status before applying.
List of NUC-Approved Private Universities Offering Nursing Science
The private universities below run B.NSc programmes approved by the NUC and recognised by the NMCN. Some have full accreditation after several sessions of operation, while newer ones hold approval to commence and await their first accreditation visit. Accreditation status changes over time, so each school’s current standing should be checked before payment of any fee.
| University | Location (State) | Nursing Programme | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babcock University | Ilishan-Remo, Ogun | B.NSc (generic and direct entry); MSc, MPhil, PhD | 5 years |
| Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) | Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti | B.NSc | 5 years |
| Bowen University | Iwo, Osun | B.NSc | 5 years |
| Igbinedion University | Okada, Edo | B.NSc | 5 years |
| Benson Idahosa University | Benin City, Edo | B.NSc (fully accredited) | 5 years |
| Madonna University | Elele, Rivers | B.NSc | 5 years |
| Godfrey Okoye University | Enugu, Enugu | B.NSc | 5 years |
| Wellspring University | Benin City, Edo | B.NSc (nursing, midwifery and public health) | 5 years |
| Lead City University | Ibadan, Oyo | B.NSc | 5 years |
| Achievers University | Owo, Ondo | B.NSc | 5 years |
| Gregory University | Uturu, Abia | B.NSc | 5 years |
| Skyline University Nigeria | Kano, Kano | B.NSc | 5 years |
| Sam Maris University | Supare-Akoko, Ondo | B.NSc (started 2024/2025) | 5 years |
The list is not exhaustive. The NUC grants new approvals every year, and several newer private universities across the South-East, South-West and North now run nursing science. Schools such as Sam Maris University and Skyline University Nigeria are examples of recent entrants that obtained approval within the last few sessions.
School Fees for Nursing in Private Universities (2026/2027)
Nursing science is one of the most expensive non-medical courses in private universities. Fees for a first-year nursing student typically fall between ₦1.2 million and ₦3.5 million per session for tuition alone, before accommodation and feeding. The higher cost reflects laboratory work, simulation equipment, clinical postings and the larger number of credit units in the programme.
Babcock University publishes a detailed schedule for 2026/2027. The instructional charge for Nursing Science (tuition, registration, library and development fees) is ₦1,734,173.50 at 100 and 200 levels, ₦1,635,228.60 at 300 level, and ₦1,406,283.70 at 400 and 500 levels. Hostel and meal plans for generic nursing students add between about ₦708,000 and ₦746,000 a session. Direct-entry nursing students are non-resident and pay a reduced bill of ₦222,750 for those charges.
| University | Estimated Nursing Fees per Session (₦) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Babcock University | 1,734,000 (tuition) + about 708,000–746,000 (hostel and feeding) | Official 2026/2027 figures for 100 level |
| Bowen University | 2,389,000 – 2,500,000 | Approximate total for 100 level, including accommodation |
| Afe Babalola University | 2,500,000 – 3,500,000 | Approximate; includes accommodation |
| Igbinedion University | 1,500,000 – 2,200,000 | Approximate |
| Benson Idahosa University | 1,200,000 – 1,800,000 | Approximate |
| Madonna University | 1,000,000 – 1,600,000 | Approximate |
| Godfrey Okoye University | 1,000,000 – 1,500,000 | Approximate |
| Lead City University | 1,000,000 – 1,500,000 | Approximate |
| Gregory University | 900,000 – 1,400,000 | Approximate |
Figures marked approximate are estimates based on recent fee schedules and the general rise in private university fees for 2026/2027. Many private universities raised fees by 15 to 30 percent between the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 sessions, so the confirmed bill from each school’s bursary is the only figure to plan with.
Several costs sit outside tuition. These include acceptance fees (commonly ₦50,000 to ₦200,000), a one-time medical examination, nursing uniforms and clinical kits, laboratory fees, NMCN indexing fees paid in the early years, and examination and induction fees in the final year.
Admission Requirements for Nursing Science in Private Universities
Admission into B.NSc in private universities follows the same national framework used by public universities, with the NMCN quota limiting how many students each school can take. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place, because nursing is competitive and departments often admit fewer students than apply.
O’Level Requirements
Candidates need five credit passes at not more than two sittings in WAEC, NECO or NABTEB. The five subjects are English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Many schools prefer the five credits in one sitting, and some do not accept awaiting results at the point of clearance.
UTME Requirements
The UTME subject combination for Nursing Science is Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Candidates should choose the private university as first choice, or change to it through the JAMB correction of data process. Private universities generally accept the national minimum score set by JAMB, but nursing departments usually set a higher cut-off, often between 180 and 220.
Post-UTME Screening
Most private universities run their own screening. This may be a computer-based test, an oral interview, a review of O’Level results, or a combination. Some schools also require a medical fitness report, and a few test general aptitude for the nursing profession.
Direct Entry Requirements
Direct entry candidates typically hold a Registered Nurse (RN) certificate and, in many cases, a Registered Midwife (RM) certificate, with a valid NMCN licence. A-Level passes in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, or a relevant ND or HND in a science field, are also accepted by some universities. Direct entry students usually start at 200 level, and some schools run a shorter track for RN holders.
Other Conditions
Applicants should be at least 16 years old by the time of admission. Schools also check for good character, physical fitness for clinical work, and, in faith-based universities, willingness to follow campus rules on worship and conduct.
Nursing Programmes Offered in Private Universities
The core programme in every NUC-approved private nursing school is the Bachelor of Nursing Science. Some universities add direct-entry tracks and postgraduate degrees once the undergraduate programme has gained full accreditation.
| Programme | Entry Route | Duration | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.NSc (generic) | UTME | 5 years | Degree plus eligibility for RN, RM and Public Health Nurse licensing |
| B.NSc (direct entry) | RN/RM certificate, A-Level or ND/HND | 3–4 years | Degree in nursing science |
| MSc Nursing | B.NSc with a valid licence | 18–24 months | Specialisation in areas such as maternal health, medical-surgical or community nursing |
| MPhil / PhD Nursing | MSc Nursing | 3+ years | Research and teaching careers |
The generic B.NSc is a polyvalent programme. Students take basic sciences in the first year, followed by anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and nursing courses such as medical-surgical nursing, maternal and child health, mental health nursing and community health nursing. Clinical postings begin in the early years and increase towards the final year, often in the university’s teaching hospital or affiliated hospitals.
By the end of the five years, students write NMCN professional examinations in general nursing, midwifery and public health nursing. Passing these, alongside the degree, allows registration as a nurse in Nigeria and forms the basis for licensing abroad. A compulsory one-year internship follows graduation in most cases.
How to Confirm a School’s Approval Before Applying
Checking a nursing programme’s status protects students from spending years on a degree that cannot lead to a licence. The steps below take little time and should be completed before paying an acceptance fee.
- Confirm the university appears on the NUC list of approved private universities.
- Confirm that Nursing Science is listed among the university’s approved programmes, and note whether it holds full, interim or commencement status.
- Check that the NMCN recognises the university’s nursing programme and has allotted it an admission quota for the current session.
- Ask the department how many students it admits each year and whether it has produced graduates who sat and passed NMCN examinations.
- Confirm access to a teaching hospital or affiliated hospitals for clinical training.
Beyond approval, the main factors in choosing a school are total cost over five years, the department’s NMCN examination pass rate, the quality of clinical placements, and distance from home. A lower tuition fee is not a saving if a student has to repeat professional examinations or travel far for clinical postings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a nursing degree from a private university recognised in Nigeria?
Yes. A B.NSc from a private university is valid when the NUC has approved the programme and the NMCN recognises it. Graduates register and practise on the same terms as graduates of public universities.
What is the cheapest private university for nursing?
Newer and smaller private universities usually charge less, often around ₦900,000 to ₦1.4 million per session. Older schools with teaching hospitals tend to charge more.
Can I study nursing in a private university with a low JAMB score?
Most private universities accept candidates close to the national minimum, but nursing departments often set higher cut-offs. A score of 200 or above improves the chance of admission.
How long is the nursing programme in private universities?
The generic B.NSc takes five years. Direct-entry students with RN certificates usually spend three to four years.