Borno State hosts a small but well-established group of nursing training institutions recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). These schools produce Registered Nurses (RN), Registered Midwives (RM), and, in the case of the university, graduates with a Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc). This article lists the approved nursing institutions currently operating in Borno State, explains what separates them, and breaks down what candidates can expect to pay for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Why Approval Status Matters Before Choosing a Nursing School
Nursing is a licensed profession in Nigeria, and only institutions recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria can produce graduates eligible to sit the council’s licensing examination. A student who trains at an unaccredited or unapproved institution, no matter how affordable the fees are, cannot be registered as a nurse or midwife afterward. Before applying to any nursing school in Borno State, a candidate should confirm two things: that the school appears on the NMCN’s current approved list, and that its accreditation status is “full” rather than “provisional” or under an admission embargo, since embargoed schools are temporarily barred from admitting new students until identified deficiencies are corrected.
Accreditation status can change from one review cycle to the next, so candidates should always verify a school’s current standing directly with the NMCN or the institution’s admissions office before making any payment.
List of Approved Nursing Institutions in Borno State
Borno State currently has a cluster of nursing and midwifery training institutions, spread across university-based, teaching hospital–based, state government–owned, and private categories. The main recognised institutions include:
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) — runs the five-year Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) degree programme and admits through UTME and Direct Entry.
- College of Nursing Sciences, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) — a hospital-based institution offering Basic Nursing (RN) and, in some intakes, Community Nursing and Community Midwifery programmes.
- College of Nursing and Midwifery, Maiduguri (Borno State Government-owned) — trains students for the General Nursing certificate and also runs a Post Basic Nursing programme for already-qualified nurses seeking specialisation.
- College of Nursing Sciences, Federal Medical Centre, Nguru — although Nguru falls administratively closer to the northeastern axis and serves candidates from Borno and neighbouring states, it is commonly grouped with regional options for students in the area.
- Private nursing colleges within Maiduguri, including newer NMCN-recognised private institutions that have opened in recent admission cycles to meet growing demand for nursing training in the state.
Because private nursing colleges are more likely to open, close, or change accreditation status within a short period, any private institution should be checked individually against the NMCN’s published list before a candidate commits to it.
Programme Types Offered Across Borno State’s Nursing Institutions
Understanding the difference between the programme types available helps a candidate choose the right entry route:
| Programme Type | Duration | Awarding Institution Type | Typical Entry Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) | 5 years | University (UNIMAID) | UTME or Direct Entry |
| Basic Nursing (General Nursing, RN) | 3 years | Hospital/state colleges of nursing | Entrance examination + O’Level |
| Basic Midwifery (RM) | 3 years | Colleges of nursing and midwifery | Entrance examination + O’Level |
| Post Basic Nursing (specialisation) | 1–2 years | Teaching hospital/state colleges | Already a Registered Nurse |
| Community Nursing/Community Midwifery | Varies by school | Selected hospital-based colleges | Entrance examination + O’Level |
The BNSc degree from the University of Maiduguri leads to a university degree and generally opens more advanced career and postgraduate opportunities, while the diploma-level Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery certificates from the colleges qualify graduates to register as nurses or midwives and begin practice more quickly.
Admission Requirements Common to Borno State Nursing Schools
Across nearly all approved nursing institutions in Borno State, the baseline entry requirements follow the national standard set by the NMCN:
- Five O’Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings, from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB.
- A minimum age of 16 years at the point of admission, with no strict upper age limit at most institutions.
- For university-based BNSc admission, a valid UTME registration with the correct subject combination (typically English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) and a JAMB score meeting the institution’s cut off mark.
- For hospital-based and state-owned colleges, a written entrance examination covering English Language, basic science, and general knowledge, in addition to the O’Level requirement.
- Successful candidates are also required to undergo a medical fitness test before final admission is confirmed.
Candidates applying for Post Basic Nursing programmes must already hold a Registered Nurse (RN) qualification and, in most cases, a minimum period of post-qualification clinical experience.
School Fees for Nursing Institutions in Borno State (2026/2027)
School fees for nursing training in Borno State remain comparatively lower than in many other parts of the country, largely because the government-owned institutions receive public subsidy. Fees typically cover tuition, but candidates should budget separately for acceptance fees, medical fees, uniform and clinical kit costs, examination fees, and accommodation, which are usually charged in addition to the tuition figure.
| Institution | Programme | Estimated Fees (Per Session) |
|---|---|---|
| College of Nursing Sciences, Maiduguri (hospital-based) | Basic Nursing / Community Nursing | ₦75,000 – ₦200,000 |
| College of Nursing and Midwifery, Maiduguri (state-owned) | General Nursing / Basic Midwifery | ₦100,000 – ₦180,000 |
| University of Maiduguri, Department of Nursing Science | BNSc (per level, tuition portion) | ₦30,000 – ₦60,000 for indigenes; higher for non-indigenes |
| College of Nursing Sciences, FMC Nguru | Basic Nursing | ₦150,000 – ₦200,000 |
| Private nursing colleges in Maiduguri | Basic Nursing / Midwifery | ₦250,000 – ₦600,000, depending on the institution |
These figures represent typical ranges reported across recent admission cycles rather than fixed amounts, since institutions periodically review their fee structures. Non-indigene applicants, meaning candidates who are not originally from Borno State, generally pay a higher fee at the state government-owned institutions than indigenes, a common practice across most state-run nursing colleges in Nigeria. The university-based BNSc programme benefits from the federal tuition subsidy that applies to public universities, keeping its tuition portion notably lower than the hospital-based and private options, even though total costs rise once accommodation, textbooks, and clinical materials are added.
Additional Costs to Plan For
Beyond tuition, nursing students across Borno State’s institutions should budget for the following recurring or one-time costs:
- Acceptance fee, paid once admission is confirmed, which varies by institution.
- Uniform and clinical kit fees, covering the standard nursing uniform, aprons, and basic clinical instruments required for practical sessions.
- Hostel accommodation, where available, or off-campus rent for students who choose not to stay on campus.
- Examination and registration fees, including fees paid to the NMCN for the final licensing examination after completing the programme.
- Departmental or laboratory fees, which cover the cost of practical sessions in skills laboratories before clinical postings begin.
Candidates should request a full, itemised fee breakdown directly from their chosen institution’s bursary or admissions office, since advertised tuition figures do not always include these additional charges.
How to Confirm Current Admission Status and Fees
Because nursing school fees and cut off marks change from one admission cycle to another, candidates should take the following steps before applying:
- Check the NMCN’s current approved schools list to confirm the institution still holds full accreditation and is not under an admission embargo.
- Visit the specific institution’s official admission portal to see the current session’s application timeline, entrance examination date, and fee schedule.
- Contact the bursary or admissions office directly by phone or in person for the most accurate, itemised fee breakdown, since third-party sources may carry outdated figures.
- Compare the JAMB and Post-UTME cut off marks for university-based BNSc admission against the current session’s approved minimum before applying.
- Keep proof of payment and admission documents safe throughout the process, since teaching hospital and state-owned colleges typically require original receipts at registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing schools does Borno State have?
Borno State has a small cluster of approved institutions, including the University of Maiduguri’s Department of Nursing Science, the College of Nursing Sciences at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, a state government-owned College of Nursing and Midwifery, and a small number of private nursing colleges. The exact number in active operation can change as accreditation status is reviewed.
Which is the cheapest nursing school in Borno State?
Government-owned and hospital-based institutions, particularly the College of Nursing Sciences, Maiduguri, and the state-owned College of Nursing and Midwifery, generally charge lower fees than private nursing colleges in the state.
Can a candidate study nursing in Borno State without JAMB?
The Bachelor of Nursing Science programme at the University of Maiduguri requires UTME registration, but hospital-based and state-owned colleges offering Basic Nursing or Basic Midwifery certificates typically admit through their own entrance examinations rather than JAMB.
Do non-indigenes pay more to study nursing in Borno State?
Yes. State government-owned nursing institutions generally charge non-indigene applicants a higher fee than candidates who are originally from Borno State, which is standard practice across most state-run nursing colleges in Nigeria.
Is a diploma from a college of nursing as valuable as a university nursing degree?
Both routes lead to registration as a nurse after passing the NMCN licensing examination, but the university BNSc degree generally offers a stronger foundation for postgraduate study and certain specialised or academic career paths within nursing.