Anambra State has one of the larger groups of nursing training institutions in south-eastern Nigeria, made up of state-owned colleges, teaching-hospital schools, private colleges and university departments. This guide explains the approved nursing in Anambra state and their school fees for the 2026/2027 session, so that candidates and parents know which schools to consider and what to check before paying anything.
It covers the schools that appear on the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) list for Anambra, the difference between the school-of-nursing route and the university route, how fees are structured, the admission requirements, and the steps for applying. Exact fee figures change from session to session, so the guide describes the pattern and points to the official sources for current amounts.
Why Approval by the NMCN Matters
The NMCN is the body that regulates nursing and midwifery training in Nigeria. It approves each institution, sets the number of students it may admit, and conducts the qualifying examinations that lead to registration as a nurse or midwife. A graduate of a school that the council does not recognise cannot sit the licensing examination, and the certificate does not lead to registration.
Choosing from the approved nursing in Anambra state and their school fees list therefore protects both the money and the years spent in training. Every school below appears on the council’s published list of approved institutions. Some are fully accredited, and some hold provisional status or permission to admit while accreditation is pending. A candidate should check the current status of a school on the NMCN website before paying any fee.
Two Routes to Nursing in Anambra State
School or College of Nursing Route
Schools and colleges of nursing, often attached to a hospital, train students for the Registered Nurse (RN) and Registered Midwife (RM) qualifications. The programme usually runs for three years of combined classroom and hospital practice. Graduates sit the NMCN licensing examination and then register with the council. Fees on this route are generally lower than university fees, and many state-owned colleges charge less than private ones.
University Route
Universities award a Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) over five years. Admission goes through JAMB UTME and the university’s post-UTME screening. Graduates also take the NMCN examination to register. University fees are usually higher and include tuition, faculty charges, medical and hostel costs.
NMCN-Approved Schools of Nursing and Midwifery in Anambra State
The NMCN list of approved schools for Anambra includes the following institutions. Locations are as shown on the council’s list.
| Institution | Location | Programme |
|---|---|---|
| College of Nursing Sciences | Adazi-Nnukwu | Nursing and Midwifery |
| College of Nursing Sciences | Ihiala | Nursing and Midwifery |
| College of Nursing Sciences | Iyi-Enu | Nursing and Midwifery |
| College of Nursing Sciences (Waterside) | Onitsha | Midwifery |
| College of Nursing Sciences, COOUTH | Nkpor | Nursing and Midwifery |
| College of Nursing Sciences, NAUTH | Nnewi | Nursing and Midwifery |
| College of Nursing Sciences | Amichi | Nursing and Midwifery |
| St Charles Boromeo College of Nursing Sciences | Onitsha | Nursing and Midwifery |
| Millennium College of Nursing Sciences | Awka | Nursing and Midwifery |
| College of Nursing Sciences | Alor | Nursing and Midwifery |
| Apex College of Nursing Sciences | Igbo-Ukwu | Nursing and Midwifery |
University Nursing Departments in Anambra State
The council also lists university departments of nursing science in the state. These offer the five-year BNSc degree.
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Nnewi campus: the Department of Nursing Sciences is in the College of Health Sciences and Technology. It is the most sought-after nursing programme in the state, and applicants far outnumber the places available.
- Tansian University, Umunya: a private university with a Department of Nursing Sciences.
- Shanahan University, Onitsha: a private university with a Faculty of Nursing Sciences.
- Peters University, Achina: a private university that the council has permitted to admit nursing students pending full accreditation.
Approved Nursing in Anambra State and Their School Fees: How Fees Are Structured
Nursing fees in Anambra follow the same broad pattern as in the rest of Nigeria. Public and state-owned colleges charge the least, private colleges charge more, and universities charge according to whether they are public or private. A single bill rarely covers everything, so a candidate should ask for the full schedule and compare the total cost for the whole programme, not only the first payment.
| Type of institution | General fee level | Typical charges included |
|---|---|---|
| State-owned colleges of nursing (for example Nkpor, Ihiala, Iyi-Enu) | Lowest | Tuition, registration, uniforms, clinical and practical fees |
| Teaching-hospital college (NAUTH, Nnewi) | Low to moderate | Tuition, hospital attachment, examination and uniform costs |
| Private colleges of nursing | Moderate | Tuition, accommodation if offered, uniforms, practical and examination fees |
| Public university (UNIZIK) | Moderate | Tuition or school fees, faculty charges, medical, ICT and hostel |
| Private university (Tansian, Shanahan, Peters) | Highest | Tuition, accommodation, laboratory and clinical charges |
Figures quoted on the internet for these schools differ widely, and some are guesses. The only reliable amount is the one printed in the school’s current fee schedule or admission letter. No figure in this article should be treated as an official price, and a candidate should confirm the amount with the school’s bursary before making any payment.
Charges That Add to the Basic Fee
The headline fee seldom equals the total spent over a session. Candidates should plan for these items:
- Application and screening fees paid before admission.
- Acceptance fee after an offer of admission.
- Uniforms, shoes, stethoscope, watch and other clinical equipment.
- Hostel or accommodation, where the school provides it.
- Matriculation, library and student union dues.
- NMCN examination and registration fees at the end of training.
- Textbooks and the cost of travelling to hospital placements.
Admission Requirements for Nursing in Anambra State
School and College of Nursing
Colleges of nursing normally ask for at least five credit passes in one sitting, or at most two sittings in WAEC or NECO, covering English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Some schools accept Physics or Health Science in place of one science subject, so a candidate should read the advertisement of the school concerned. Candidates are also expected to be medically fit and of good character, and age limits apply in some schools.
University Nursing Science
Universities ask for the same O’Level credits and a JAMB UTME score in English Language, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. A candidate must choose the university as a first choice and meet the post-UTME cut-off set by the school. UNIZIK is highly competitive, and its cut-off for nursing sits well above the JAMB minimum. Direct Entry applicants need relevant qualifications such as a registered nurse certificate or a good National Diploma or A-Level result, depending on the school’s rules.
How to Apply for Nursing in Anambra State
- Confirm the school’s current status on the NMCN list of approved schools.
- Check the school’s official website, notice board or social media page for the admission advertisement and closing date.
- Buy the application form or complete the online form, and upload the required documents.
- Take the entrance or screening examination and attend the interview where required.
- Watch for the admission list, then pay the acceptance fee through the channel the school gives.
- Complete registration, medical screening and payment of the first-session fees.
For the university route, register for UTME with JAMB, select the nursing course and the chosen university, and then complete the post-UTME screening and the admission process on the JAMB CAPS portal.
How to Avoid Fake Nursing Schools
Unapproved schools exist, and some advertise cheap fees to attract candidates. These checks help:
- Search for the school on the NMCN approved list before paying any money.
- Pay only into the official account of the school, never into a personal account.
- Insist on a receipt and an official admission letter.
- Be careful with agents who promise automatic admission for a fee.
- Visit the school and its affiliated hospital in person if possible.
Choosing Between a College of Nursing and a University
The college route is shorter and cheaper, and it leads to RN and RM registration, which qualifies a graduate to work in hospitals. The university route takes longer and costs more, but the BNSc degree opens doors to higher positions, postgraduate study and teaching. Many nurses begin with the college route and later complete a degree through a post-basic programme. The best choice depends on the candidate’s budget, the time available and the career goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is nursing school in Anambra State approved by the NMCN? Yes. The schools and departments named above appear on the council’s list, but status can change, so check the NMCN website.
- Which is the cheapest approved nursing school in Anambra? State-owned colleges generally cost less than private ones. Compare current fee schedules to know the exact difference.
- Can I study nursing in Anambra with a low JAMB score? Yes, through a college of nursing, which does not use the JAMB score. Universities require a UTME score and post-UTME screening.
- How long does nursing training take? A college of nursing takes about three years, and a university BNSc takes five years.
- Where can I find the current fees? On the school’s official website, its admission advertisement or from its bursary office.
Final Thoughts
The approved nursing in Anambra state and their school fees list gives candidates several routes into the profession, from state colleges and the NAUTH school at Nnewi to private colleges and university departments. The most important step is to confirm each school’s status on the NMCN list and to obtain the current fee schedule directly from the school.
Candidates should plan for the full cost of training, not just the first payment, and should avoid any school that cannot show NMCN approval. Fees and requirements change each session, so confirm the latest details on the official portal of the school before applying for 2026/2027.