Nursing education in Nigeria has evolved significantly since its inception, with 265 approved institutions now offering various nursing programs across the country.
According to recent statistics from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), the nursing profession continues to grow, with an annual enrollment of over 20,000 students across all programs.
The healthcare sector in Nigeria requires approximately 800,000 nurses to meet the WHO’s recommended nurse-to-patient ratio.
This significant demand has made nursing one of the most sought-after medical programs in Nigeria, particularly among female students, though male enrollment has increased by 40% in the last decade.
Understanding Nursing Education in Nigeria
Nursing education in Nigeria is structured into several levels:
- Basic Nursing Programs (3 years)
- Bachelor of Nursing Science (5 years)
- Post-Basic Nursing Programs (18 months – 2 years)
- Specialized Nursing Programs (1-2 years)
All programs are regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and must meet strict accreditation requirements to maintain their approval status.
Types of Nursing Programs
University-Based Programs (BNSc)
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), Abia State University, Uturu
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), Afe Babalola University, Ekiti
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), Babcock University, Illishan-Remo
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), Bayero University Kano
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), Bowen University, Iwo
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), Delta State University, Abraka
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), Ebonyi State University EBSU, Abakaliki
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), Igbinedion University, Okada
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), Imo State University, Orlu
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), LAUTECH, Osogbo
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), Madonna University Elele
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), Osun State University, Osogbo
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), University Of Calabar
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), University Of Port-Harcourt
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), University of Benin, Benin-City
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), University of Ibadan, Ibadan
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), University of Jos
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), University of Lagos
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), University of Maiduguri
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), University of Ilorin
- Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto
Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery
- College Of Nursing, Oke-Ode
- College of Basic Midwifery, Gwarzo
- College of Nursing & Midwifery, Dept. of Midwifery, Yola
- College of Nursing & Midwifery, Dept. of Nursing, Yola
- College of Nursing Sc., Dept. of Basic Midwifery, Kafanchan
- College of Nursing Sci., Dept. of Nursing, Kafanchan
- College of Nursing Sciences, Uburu
- College of Nursing and Midwifery Dept. of Basic Midwifery, Kisi campus, Ibadan
- College of Nursing and Midwifery Dept. of Post Basic Midwifery, Eleyele, Ibadan
- College of Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Nursing (BNSc Programme), Eleyele, Ibadan
- College of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Midwifery, Bauchi
- College of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Nursing, Bauchi
- College of Nursing, Diocesan Hospital, Amichi
- College of Nursing, Hadejia
- College of Nursing, Obangede
- College of Nursing, St. Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha
- College of Nursing, UEC, Ochadamu
- Imo State College of Nursing & Midwifery, Orlu
Schools of Basic Midwifery
- Community Midwifery Programme, School of Basic Midwifery, Danbatta, Kano
- Community Midwifery Programme, School of Basic Midwifery, Gusau
- Community Midwifery Programme, School of Basic Midwifery, Malumfashi
- Community Midwifery Programme, School of Basic Midwifery, Sokoto
- Community Midwifery Programme, School of Basic Midwifery. Dr. Shehu Sule, Damaturu
- Community Midwifery Programme- School of Basic Midwifery, Maiduguri
- Community Midwifery Programme-School of Basic Midwifery, ATBUTH, Bauchi
- Community Midwifery, Yola
- ECWA School of Basic Midwifery, Egbe
- School of Basic Midwifery ATBUTH, Bauchi
- School of Basic Midwifery Iyi-Enu
- School of Basic Midwifery, Aboh Mbaise
- School of Basic Midwifery, Adazi
- School of Basic Midwifery, Akure
- School of Basic Midwifery, Amachara
- School of Basic Midwifery, Anyigba
- School of Basic Midwifery, Awgu
- School of Basic Midwifery, Benin-City
- School of Basic Midwifery, Birnin-Kebbi
- School of Basic Midwifery, COOUTH, Nkpor
- School of Basic Midwifery, College of Nursing Sciences, Kontogora
- School of Basic Midwifery, Danbatta, Kano
- School of Basic Midwifery, FETHA, Abakaliki
- School of Basic Midwifery, Gombe
- School of Basic Midwifery, Gusau
- School of Basic Midwifery, Gwagwalada
- School of Basic Midwifery, Igando
- School of Basic Midwifery, Jalingo
- School of Basic Midwifery, Kano
- School of Basic Midwifery, Lafia
- School of Basic Midwifery, Maiduguri
- School of Basic Midwifery, Makurdi
- School of Basic Midwifery, Malumfashi
- School of Basic Midwifery, Mkar
- School of Basic Midwifery, Muslim Hospital, Saki
- School of Basic Midwifery, Sokoto
- School of Basic Midwifery, St. Camillus Hosp. Uromi
- School of Basic Midwifery, St. Philo’s Hosp. Benin-City
- School of Basic Midwifery, Tombia
- School of Basic Midwifery, Wusasa
- School of Basic Midwifery, Birnin-Kudu
- School of Basic Midwifery, Dr. Shehu Sule, Damaturu
- School of Basic Midwifery, Minna
- School of Basic Midwifery, Tudun Wada (Kaduna State College of Midwifery)
- School of Basic Midwifery, Zonkwa
- School of Basic Midwifery, Zuma Memorial Hosp. Irrua
- School of Basic Midwifery, Vom, Jos
Schools of Basic Nursing
- ECWA School of Nursing, Egbe
- School of Nursing Gombe
- School of Nursing Jalingo
- School of Nursing Maiduguri
- School of Nursing Makurdi
- School of Nursing St. Gerald’s Hospital, Kakuri
- School of Nursing, OAUTHC, Ile-Ife
- School of Nursing, ABUTH, Zaria
- School of Nursing, ATBUTH, Bauchi
- School of Nursing, Abeokuta
- School of Nursing, Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba
- School of Nursing, Adazi-Nnukwu
- School of Nursing, Ado-Ekiti
- School of Nursing, Agbor
- School of Nursing, Akure
- School of Nursing, Amachara
- School of Nursing, Amaigbo
- School of Nursing, Anua-Uyo
- School of Nursing, Baptist Medical Centre, Saki
- School of Nursing, Benin City
- School of Nursing, Bida
- School of Nursing, Birnin-Kebbi
- School of Nursing, Birnin-Kudu
- School of Nursing, Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka
- School of Nursing, Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho
- School of Nursing, COOUTH, Nkpor
- School of Nursing, Cherish College of Nursing Sciences, Batsari, Katsina State
- School of Nursing, Dr. Shehu Sule, Damaturu
- School of Nursing, ESUTH, Parklane, Enugu
- School of Nursing, Eket
- School of Nursing, Eku
- School of Nursing, Emekuku
- School of Nursing, FETHA, Abakaliki
- School of Nursing, Gusau
- School of Nursing, Gwagwalada
- School of Nursing, Ido-Ekiti
- School of Nursing, Igando
- School of Nursing, Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital, Okada
- School of Nursing, Ihiala
- School of Nursing, Ijebu-Ode
- School of Nursing, Ikot-Ekpene
- School of Nursing, Ilaro
- School of Nursing, Ilorin
- School of Nursing, Itigidi
- School of Nursing, Ituk-Mbang
- School of Nursing, Iyi-Enu
- School of Nursing, Joint Hospital, Mbano
- School of Nursing, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos (MMH)
- School of Nursing, Kano
- School of Nursing, Katsina
- School of Nursing, LUTH, Idi-Araba
- School of Nursing, Lafia
- School of Nursing, Lantoro
- School of Nursing, MMH, Afikpo
- School of Nursing, Madobi
- School of Nursing, Military Hospital, Yaba
- School of Nursing, Mkar
- School of Nursing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi
- School of Nursing, OAUTHC, Ilesa
- School of Nursing, Ogoja
- School of Nursing, Osogbo
- School of Nursing, Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, Umulogho, Obowo
- School of Nursing, Owerri
- School of Nursing, Port-Harcourt
- School of Nursing, Seventh Day Adventist Hospital, Ile-Ife
- School of Nursing, Sokoto
- School of Nursing, St. Margaret’s Hospital, Calabar
- School of Nursing, Tombia
- School of Nursing, UBTH, Benin
- School of Nursing, UCTH, Calabar
- School of Nursing, UMTH, Maiduguri
- School of Nursing, UNTH, Enugu
- School of Nursing, Umuahia
- School of Nursing, University College Hospital, Ibadan
- School of Nursing, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin
- School of Nursing, Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto
- School of Nursing, Vom, Jos
- School of Nursing, Warri
- School of Nursing, Wusasa
Specialized Nursing Schools
Mental Health Nursing
- School of Mental Health Nursing, Aro, Abeokuta
- School of Mental Health Nursing, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu
- School of Mental Health Nursing, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Kware
- School of Mental Health Nursing, Aba
- School of Mental Health Nursing, Eket
- School of Mental Health Nursing, FNH, Maiduguri
- School of Mental Health Nursing, Fed. Neuro Psy. Hosp., Calabar
- School of Mental Health Nursing, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Barnawa, Kaduna
- School of Mental Health Nursing, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City
- School of Mental Health Nursing, Federal Neuropsychiatric, Yaba
Post-Basic Nursing Programs
- School of Post Basic A & E Nursing University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin
- School of Post Basic A & E Nursing, LUTH, Idi-Araba
- School of Post Basic A&E Nursing, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos
- School of Post Basic A&E Nursing, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital
- School of Post Basic Accident and Emergency Nursing, National Orthopedic Hospital, Dala –Kano
- School of Post Basic Anaesthetic Nursing, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos
- School of Post Basic Critical Care Nursing, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos
- School of Post Basic Critical Care Nursing, UMTH, Maiduguri
- School of Post Basic Critical Care Nursing, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja
- School of Post Basic Midwifery UNTH, Enugu
- School of Post Basic Nephrology Nursing, National Hospital, Abuja
- School of Post Basic Nurse Anaesthetic Programme, ABUTH, Zaria
- School of Post Basic Nurse Anaesthetic Programme, UNTH, Enugu
- School of Post Basic Nursing Nephrology Nursing, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin
- School of Post Basic Nursing Peri-Operative Nursing, OAUTHC, Ile-Ife
- School of Post Basic Nursing Peri-Operative, UMTH, Maiduguri
Specialized Post-Basic Programs by Category
Burns & Plastic Nursing
- School of Post Basic Nursing, Burns & Plastic, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu
Cardiothoracic Nursing
- School of Post Basic Nursing, Cardiothoracic, UNTH, Enugu
Occupational Health Nursing
- School of Post Basic Nursing, Occupational Health, University College Hospital, Ibadan
Ophthalmic Nursing
- School of Post Basic Ophthalmic Nursing, Kaduna, National Eye Centre
- School of Post Basic Ophthalmic Nursing, LUTH, Lagos
- School of Post Basic Ophthalmic Nursing, UBTH, Benin City
- School of Post Basic (Ophthalmic) Nursing, ABUTH, Zaria
Orthopaedic Nursing
- School of Post Basic Orthopaedic Nursing, NOH. Igbobi, Lagos
- School of Post Basic Orthopaedic Nursing, National Hospital, Dala –Kano
- School of Post Basic Orthopaedic Nursing, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu
Otorhinolaryngology Nursing
- School of Post Basic Nursing, Otorhinolaryngology Nursing, Kaduna
- School of Post Basic Otorhinolaryngology Nursing UCTH, Calabar
Paediatric Nursing
- School of Post Basic Paediatric Nursing, ABUTH, Zaria
- School of Post Basic Paediatric Nursing, Irrua Specialist Hospital, Irrua
- School of Post Basic Paediatric Nursing, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital
- School of Post Basic Paediatric Nursing, AKTH
- School of Post Basic Paediatric Nursing, LUTH, Lagos
- School of Post Basic Paediatric Nursing, UBTH, Benin
- School of Post Basic Paediatric Nursing, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin
Peri-Operative Nursing
- School of Peri-operative Nursing, Federal Medical Center, Yola
- School of Post Basic Peri-Operative Nursing, Irrua Specialist Hospital, Irrua
- School of Post Basic Peri-Operative Nursing, University College Hospital, Ibadan
- School of Post Basic Peri-Operative Nursing, LUTH, Lagos
- School of Post Basic Peri-Operative Nursing, UNTH, Enugu
- School of Post Basic Peri-Operative Nursing, UBTH, Benin
