Nursing is one of the most sought-after courses in Nigeria. Aside from the respect healthcare professions command, the course offers great benefits such as career stability, earning potential and great opportunity to work in foreign countries like Canada, the US and the UK and several other parts of the world.
Across the globe, healthcare systems continue to expand, leaving room for qualified nurses to remain in high demand. In a study conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), there will be a need for up to 4.1 – 4.5 million nurses in the world by the year 2030.
Your journey to becoming a nurse starts with choosing the right institution that fits your class and plan. To become a nurse in Nigeria, you either enrol in an accredited university or enrol in a school of nursing.
Both options come with their pros and cons, but attending either will surely get you licensed as a nurse by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). In this article, we will highlight the best schools in Nigeria to study to become a nurse, their admission requirements and other factors that can aid your journey. Let’s dive in.
Best Universities to Study Nursing in Nigeria (Ranked by Accessibility)
To become a nurse, you have to consider choosing an institution that goes beyond prestige alone. Consider factors like how accessible their admission requirements are, the clinical exposure, accreditation, teaching facilities, and employability after graduation.
This list has some of the leading schools to study Nursing in Nigeria. According to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), there are Two Hundred and Ninety (290) Nursing Training Institutions in Nigeria. However, the ranking of these nursing schools is based purely on how accessible admission is into the Nursing programme.
Lagos State College of Nursing, Igando
If your goal is to enter nursing with the least resistance possible, Lagos State College of Nursing sits at the top of the list. Admission is primarily based on an internal entrance examination, making it more predictable than highly competitive university programmes.
Unlike most universities where thousands of candidates compete for limited Nursing slots through UTME, this pathway focuses more on performance in the school’s screening process.
If admitted, you will also benefit from early clinical exposure, allowing you to gain practical experience from the beginning of your training. However, once you graduate, you earn a nursing qualification rather than a BNSc, though you can later bridge into a degree programme if you choose.
Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Ibadan
Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery is one of the most established nursing institutions in Nigeria and remains highly accessible compared to university nursing programmes.
To gain admission, you write an entrance examination. While competition exists, it is still more manageable than most BNSc university programmes.
Once admitted, you are guaranteed a strong clinical training and you get to become a competent nurse who is well prepared for practice.
Aliko Dangote College of Nursing Sciences, Bauchi
This institution is another relatively accessible entry point into nursing education in Nigeria. It offers structured clinical training and follows the standard nursing school admission process through screening and entrance examinations.
While it is not as widely publicised as most southern institutions, it remains a solid option for you seeking a practical and less competitive route into nursing.
Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo
Babcock University is the first private university on this list and one of the more accessible pathways into a BNSc programme in Nigeria.
Although while applying, you must meet the academic requirements. Admission into Nursing at Babcock University is generally less congested compared to top federal universities where thousands of candidates compete for very limited spaces.
The university also offers a stable academic calendar, modern facilities, and structured clinical training. The main consideration, however, is tuition, which is significantly higher than public every other schooling option.
Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti
Afe Babalola University also offers a relatively accessible route into Nursing compared to other universities. Like Babcock, admission is based on meeting their stated academic requirements. The institution is known for strong academic standards and well-equipped learning facilities.
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Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo
LASU is one of the most competitive state universities for Nursing in Nigeria. Despite being a state institution, Nursing admission here is highly selective due to limited slots and high applicant demand.
As a students of this institution, you benefit from strong clinical exposure and a respected BNSc programme, but securing admission requires strong UTME performance and a high aggregate score.
Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka
DELSU offers a solid Nursing programme but remains moderately competitive compared to private universities. Admission is not as difficult as federal universities, but applicants still need strong academic performance to stand a chance.
The university provides good clinical training and produces well-regarded nursing graduates.
University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan
The University of Ibadan is one of Nigeria’s most prestigious universities, and its Nursing programme reflects that reputation. However, this prestige comes with intense competition.
Admission is extremely selective, with high UTME scores and excellent O’Level results required to stand a chance.
University of Lagos (UNILAG), Yaba
UNILAG is another top-tier federal university where Nursing admission is highly competitive. Thousands of applicants compete annually for limited spaces, making it one of the hardest institutions to gain admission into for Nursing.
Despite this, the programme is highly respected and offers excellent clinical exposure.
University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
UNN completes the list as one of the most competitive Nursing programmes in Nigeria. Admission is extremely selective, requiring excellent UTME scores, strong O’Level results, and outstanding overall performance.
While it is one of the best places to study Nursing academically, it is also one of the hardest to gain admission into.
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Regardless of the institution you choose, admission requirements for Nursing in Nigeria generally follow the same core O’Level requirement across both pathways, which is at least five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics in not more than two sittings. The main difference comes in the entry process: Colleges and Schools of Nursing usually require an internal entrance examination and may only optionally consider JAMB, while universities require you to sit for UTME with English Language, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Although the national JAMB benchmark cut-off is 150, Nursing remains highly competitive, so most universities typically expect scores of 200 and above, followed by Post-UTME screening or an aggregate scoring system based on UTME and O’Level results before admission is offered.
Choosing the best school to study Nursing in Nigeria depends largely on your goals, academic qualifications and financial capacity. If your priority is gaining admission as quickly as possible, a College or School of Nursing may be your best option. If you want the balance of clinical exposure and earning a Bachelor of Nursing Science, then the place that offers that standard.
Whichever pathway you choose, ensure the institution is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), compare your options carefully and select the one that best aligns with your long-term career ambitions
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