Imo State has more than a dozen nursing training institutions approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). They fall into three groups: state-owned colleges attached to government joint hospitals, mission colleges run by Catholic hospitals, and private colleges. The cheapest options are the state-owned colleges at Amaigbo, Mbano and Orlu, where tuition is a small fraction of what private colleges charge. This guide lists the most affordable approved nursing schools in Imo State, their estimated fees for the 2026/2027 academic session, the other charges students pay, and the admission requirements.
How Nursing School Fees Work in Imo State
The amount a nursing student pays depends mainly on who owns the school. State-owned colleges receive government funding, so their tuition stays low. Mission colleges, such as those at Emekuku and Umulogho Obowo, charge more because they fund staff, clinical training and facilities largely from fees, but they remain cheaper than most purely private colleges. Private colleges in Owerri and other towns sit at the top of the price range.
Tuition is only one part of the total cost. A first-year student also pays for the application form, an acceptance fee, uniforms, a medical examination, hostel accommodation (where the school provides it), departmental and examination levies, and NMCN indexing. Because of these one-time charges, the first year is always the most expensive. Schools also revise their fees from time to time, so the figures below are estimates for 2026/2027 and should be confirmed with the school’s bursary before payment.
It also helps to understand the current structure of nursing education. The NMCN has moved the traditional three-year hospital schools of nursing toward the college model, in which colleges of nursing sciences run National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) nursing programmes. Most Imo State institutions now carry the name “College of Nursing Sciences”, and the ND route requires a JAMB UTME score.
Cheapest Nursing Schools in Imo State and Their Fees (2026/2027)
The table ranks the most affordable NMCN-approved nursing colleges in Imo State from lowest to highest estimated tuition. Tuition figures exclude acceptance, hostel and other levies.
| Rank | School | Location | Ownership | Application Form (approx.) | Estimated Tuition per Session |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College of Nursing, St. Mary’s Joint Hospital, Amaigbo | Amaigbo, Nwangele LGA | State | Confirm with school | ₦35,000 – ₦45,000 |
| 2 | College of Nursing Sciences, Joint Hospital, Mbano | Mbano | State | ₦18,500 – ₦30,500 | From about ₦50,000 |
| 3 | Imo State College of Nursing Sciences, Orlu | Orlu | State | Confirm on portal | Low, state-subsidised (confirm) |
| 4 | College of Nursing Sciences, Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, Umulogho Obowo | Obowo LGA | Mission (Catholic) | About ₦20,000 | Mid-range; higher than state colleges |
| 5 | College of Nursing Sciences, Holy Rosary Hospital, Emekuku | Emekuku, Owerri North | Mission (Catholic) | ₦26,000 – ₦27,000 | Mid-range; higher than state colleges |
| 6 | International Christian College of Nursing Sciences | Owerri | Private | Confirm with school | ₦150,000 – ₦200,000 |
Details of Each School
1. College of Nursing, St. Mary’s Joint Hospital, Amaigbo
The Amaigbo college, often called the Amaigbo School of Nursing, is the cheapest nursing school in Imo State. It is government-owned and attached to St. Mary’s Joint Hospital, which serves as its main clinical training site. Tuition for fresh students is estimated at ₦35,000 to ₦45,000 per session. This figure does not include the acceptance fee, hostel accommodation or other compulsory levies, which can push the first-year total well above the tuition figure. The college holds full NMCN accreditation for its nursing programme and provisional accreditation for midwifery.
2. College of Nursing Sciences, Joint Hospital, Mbano
The Mbano college is another state-owned institution and one of the most popular choices for students on a tight budget. Tuition for fresh students starts from about ₦50,000 per session. The application form costs ₦18,500 for basic midwifery and post-basic nursing, and between ₦25,000 and ₦30,500 for the ND nursing and degree-linked programmes, depending on the session. The college is affiliated with Imo State University and has started ND/HND nursing. Applicants for the ND route must register for the UTME and choose the college, while the degree-linked programme has required a UTME score of 180 and above. Both its nursing and midwifery programmes hold full NMCN accreditation.
3. Imo State College of Nursing Sciences, Orlu
This is the state government’s dedicated college of nursing sciences and runs the ND nursing programme. As a state-owned institution, its tuition sits in the same low band as Amaigbo and Mbano, although the college publishes its exact schedule only to admitted students. For the 2026/2027 session, candidates need a minimum UTME score of 170 and must select the college as their first-choice institution. It holds full NMCN accreditation.
4. College of Nursing Sciences, Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, Umulogho Obowo
This Catholic mission college is a good middle option for students who do not secure a place in a state college. Its application form has cost about ₦20,000 in recent sessions. Tuition is higher than at the state colleges but generally lower than at private colleges in Owerri. Students train at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, and both the nursing and midwifery programmes hold full NMCN accreditation.
5. College of Nursing Sciences, Holy Rosary Hospital, Emekuku
The Emekuku college is one of the oldest and best-known mission nursing schools in the South-East. Its application form costs between ₦26,000 and ₦27,000, paid into the hospital’s school account or at the school’s account office, after which the receipt is converted into an official school receipt. Tuition is in the mid-range, above state colleges but below most private colleges. Both its nursing and midwifery programmes hold full NMCN accreditation, renewed in 2024.
6. International Christian College of Nursing Sciences, Owerri
This private college is the most expensive school on the list, with tuition estimated at ₦150,000 to ₦200,000 per session, excluding acceptance, uniform, medical and caution fees. It is included because it is among the more affordable private options in Owerri and holds full NMCN accreditation for both nursing and midwifery.
Other NMCN-Approved Nursing Institutions in Imo State
Students who want more options can consider the following approved institutions. Most are privately owned, so fees are higher than at the state colleges:
- Ezeala College of Nursing, Umuseke Okwudor, Njaba (nursing, midwifery, accident and emergency, and mental health nursing)
- Merit College of Nursing Sciences, Orlu
- Princess College of Nursing Sciences, Mgbirichi
- St. Joseph College of Nursing Sciences, Mbaise (provisional accreditation)
- Kings College of Nursing Sciences, Owerri (provisional accreditation)
- School of Basic Midwifery, Aboh Mbaise
- School of Post Basic Midwifery, Awo-Omamma
For a university degree (BNSc), Imo State University runs a fully accredited Nursing Science department at its Orlu campus, and Claretian University, Owerri, has provisional accreditation. University fees follow a different structure and are usually higher than college fees.
One caution applies: the old School of Nursing, Owerri, has had its accreditation withdrawn with an embargo on admission. Before buying any form, check that the school appears on the current NMCN list of approved institutions. Graduates of unaccredited schools cannot sit the council’s licensing examination.
What the First-Year Cost Covers
The table below shows the main charges a fresh nursing student in Imo State should budget for, beyond tuition.
| Fee Item | When It Is Paid | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application form | Before the entrance exam | Non-refundable; about ₦18,500 – ₦30,500 at state and mission colleges |
| Acceptance fee | Once, after admission | Paid to secure the admission offer |
| Tuition | Every session | Lowest at state colleges |
| Uniforms and shoes | First year, with occasional replacement | Compulsory for clinical practice |
| Medical examination | First year | Done before registration |
| Hostel accommodation | Every session (if available) | Often the largest item after tuition |
| NMCN indexing and exam fees | During the programme | Paid to the council through the school |
| Clinical posting costs | During the programme | Transport and upkeep for postings outside the school |
Admission Requirements for Nursing Schools in Imo State
The requirements are similar across all approved colleges in the state:
- Five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics in WAEC, NECO or NABTEB, in not more than two sittings.
- A minimum age of 16 years.
- For the ND nursing route, a UTME score at or above the college’s cut-off (for example, 170 at the Imo State College of Nursing Sciences, Orlu), with the college selected as first choice.
- A birth certificate or sworn declaration of age, a secondary school testimonial and recent passport photographs.
- A valid RN/RM licence for post-basic programmes.
The admission process usually follows these steps: buy the application form from the school’s cashier or official portal, sit the entrance examination, attend the screening and interview, and accept the offer by paying the acceptance fee if admitted.
Tips for Keeping Nursing School Costs Low
Apply to all three state colleges (Amaigbo, Mbano and Orlu) in the same admission cycle, since each conducts its own entrance examination and a place at any of them saves a large amount over three to five years. Pay fees within the stated deadlines, as late payment attracts extra charges and can block a student from sitting semester examinations. Buy forms only through the school’s cashier, bank account or official portal; agents who sell forms or promise guaranteed admission are a common source of fraud. Finally, budget for accommodation early, because hostel space at state colleges is limited and off-campus rent can exceed tuition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the cheapest nursing school in Imo State? The College of Nursing, St. Mary’s Joint Hospital, Amaigbo, with estimated tuition of ₦35,000 to ₦45,000 per session. The Mbano and Orlu state colleges follow closely.
Do I need JAMB to get into a nursing school in Imo State? Yes for the ND nursing programme, which requires a UTME score at or above the college’s cut-off. Basic midwifery and post-basic programmes do not require JAMB.
How long does nursing school take? The ND/HND nursing route takes about four to five years, including clinical training. Post-basic programmes for already-registered nurses usually take one to one and a half years.
Are these fees fixed for the whole programme? No. Fees are reviewed by school management, and the first year costs the most because of one-time charges. Always confirm the current schedule with the school’s bursary before paying.