Edo State hosts one of the highest concentrations of nursing and midwifery training institutions in Nigeria. Students who want to study nursing in the state have several options, ranging from state-run colleges to teaching hospital schools and full university degree programmes. This article lists the approved nursing schools in Edo State, explains what each one offers, and breaks down their school fees for the 2026/2027 academic session.
What Makes a Nursing School “Approved” in Nigeria
A nursing school is approved when it holds accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), the federal body responsible for regulating nursing and midwifery education across the country. For degree programmes, the National Universities Commission (NUC) also accredits the course alongside NMCN. Diploma-level programmes such as the National Diploma (ND) in Nursing additionally require accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Attending a school without valid NMCN accreditation creates a real risk: graduates from unapproved institutions cannot sit for the NMCN licensing examination, and without that licence, a person cannot practise as a registered nurse or midwife in Nigeria. Before applying to any institution, a prospective student should confirm the school’s current accreditation status directly with NMCN or through the school’s official admission office, since accreditation status can change from provisional to full, or in rare cases, be withdrawn.
List of Approved Nursing and Midwifery Schools in Edo State
Edo State’s nursing training institutions fall into three categories: university degree programmes (Bachelor of Nursing Science), state and hospital-run diploma colleges, and post-basic or specialised nursing/midwifery schools attached to teaching hospitals.
| Category | Institution | Programme Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| University (Degree) | University of Benin (UNIBEN) | B.N.Sc Nursing | Benin City |
| University (Degree) | Igbinedion University, Okada | B.N.Sc Nursing | Okada |
| University (Degree) | Edo State University, Uzairue | B.N.Sc Nursing | Uzairue |
| University (Degree) | Ambrose Alli University | B.N.Sc Nursing | Ekpoma |
| University (Degree) | Benson Idahosa University | B.N.Sc Nursing | Benin City |
| State College | Edo State College of Nursing Sciences | ND Nursing, Post Basic Nursing, Post Basic Midwifery, HND Public Health Nursing | Benin City |
| Teaching Hospital College | College of Nursing Sciences, UBTH | Basic Nursing, Post Basic Programmes | Benin City |
| Teaching Hospital College | Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) School of Nursing | Basic Nursing | Irrua |
| Post Basic School | School of Post Basic Nursing (A&E), UBTH | Post Basic Accident & Emergency Nursing | Benin City |
| Post Basic School | School of Post Basic Midwifery, UBTH | Post Basic Midwifery | Benin City |
| Basic Midwifery School | School of Basic Midwifery, St. Philomena’s Catholic Hospital | Basic Midwifery | Benin City |
| University Teaching Hospital | School of Nursing, Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital | Basic Nursing | Okada |
This list covers the main NMCN-recognised training routes in the state. Applicants should always cross-check with NMCN’s current register before applying, since new schools occasionally gain accreditation and provisional status can be upgraded or reviewed.
School Fees for Nursing Schools in Edo State
Fees differ significantly depending on whether the institution is a state-run college, a teaching hospital school, or a full university. Below is a general fee guide compiled from published admission circulars and school fee schedules. These figures serve as a planning reference; the exact amount for a given session should be confirmed directly with the institution, since fees are reviewed periodically and may include extra charges not listed here.
| Institution | Programme | Estimated Fee Range (per session) |
|---|---|---|
| Edo State College of Nursing Sciences | ND Nursing / Post Basic Nursing / Midwifery | ₦150,000 – ₦250,000 |
| College of Nursing Sciences, UBTH | Basic Nursing | ₦150,000 – ₦200,000 |
| ISTH School of Nursing | Basic Nursing | ₦150,000 – ₦220,000 |
| University of Benin (UNIBEN) | B.N.Sc Nursing | ₦45,000 – ₦120,000 (indigenes, tuition-heavy public university rate) |
| Edo State University, Uzairue | B.N.Sc Nursing | ₦150,000 – ₦300,000, plus a separate clinical fee of around ₦500,000 from 300 Level |
| Ambrose Alli University | B.N.Sc Nursing | ₦80,000 – ₦180,000 |
| Igbinedion University, Okada | B.N.Sc Nursing | ₦900,000 – ₦1,500,000 (private university rate) |
| Benson Idahosa University | B.N.Sc Nursing | ₦800,000 – ₦1,300,000 (private university rate) |
A few points explain the wide range seen in this table:
- Public universities and state colleges charge far less than private universities. UNIBEN, Ambrose Alli University, and Edo State University Uzairue are government-funded, so their tuition is a fraction of what Igbinedion University or Benson Idahosa University charge, since the latter two are privately owned and self-funded.
- Clinical and practical fees are often billed separately. Nursing is a practical course, so many schools add a distinct clinical or laboratory fee once a student reaches the year where hospital postings begin. Edo State University Uzairue, for example, applies an additional clinical charge from 300 Level that is separate from standard tuition.
- Acceptance fees and application fees are not part of the tuition figure. Application forms for state and hospital colleges typically cost between ₦15,000 and ₦25,000, while acceptance fees after admission range from ₦10,000 to ₦25,000. These are one-time charges paid before resumption and are not included in the session fee shown above.
- Accommodation and feeding are usually excluded from the fee schedule. Hostel accommodation in Benin City and its environs typically adds another ₦100,000 to ₦200,000 per session for students who choose not to stay off-campus.
Admission Requirements Common to Edo State Nursing Schools
Every approved nursing school in Edo State applies broadly similar entry requirements, though specific cut-off marks and screening processes differ by institution.
- O’Level requirement: Five credits in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB in not more than two sittings.
- UTME requirement: Degree programmes (UNIBEN, Igbinedion University, Edo State University Uzairue, Ambrose Alli University, Benson Idahosa University) require a valid JAMB UTME result with the correct subject combination and a score above the faculty’s cut-off mark for that session.
- ND and diploma-level entries: State colleges and teaching hospital schools, including the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences and UBTH, increasingly require JAMB registration as well, since Basic Nursing has been aligned with the ND pathway. A school without any JAMB requirement at entry level is now uncommon.
- Age requirement: Most colleges set a minimum age of 17 years at the point of application.
- Screening or entrance examination: Beyond JAMB, schools typically conduct their own computer-based test (CBT) or a post-UTME style screening, plus an interview for some institutions.
Because these details change from one admission cycle to the next, applicants should read the specific admission notice published by their preferred school for the 2026/2027 session rather than relying on a previous year’s circular.
How to Choose Between the Available Options
A student deciding between a university B.N.Sc and a state or hospital college in Edo State is essentially choosing between cost, duration, and career pathway. A B.N.Sc from a university gives a bachelor’s degree in four to five years and opens a path to postgraduate study and higher-level nursing leadership roles. An ND or Basic Nursing certificate from a college such as the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences or the UBTH College of Nursing Sciences takes about three years, costs significantly less, and leads directly to NMCN registration as a Registered Nurse, with the option to convert to a degree later through a top-up programme. Students on a tighter budget who still want strong clinical exposure often lean toward the state and teaching hospital colleges, since they combine lower fees with hands-on training inside functioning hospital wards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is JAMB compulsory for all nursing schools in Edo State?
Yes, in practice. University B.N.Sc programmes have always required UTME, and most state and hospital colleges now also require a valid JAMB registration alongside their own screening exercise.
Which nursing school in Edo State has the lowest fees?
Public options such as the University of Benin, Ambrose Alli University, and the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences generally charge less than private universities like Igbinedion University and Benson Idahosa University.
Do the listed fees include accommodation?
No. The fee ranges shown cover tuition and standard institutional charges only. Hostel accommodation, feeding, and transport are paid separately and vary by school and by whether a student lives on or off campus.
Can a student confirm a school’s accreditation before applying?
Yes. NMCN publishes and updates its list of accredited nursing and midwifery institutions, and a school’s admission office can also provide its current accreditation status on request.
How often do school fees change?
Fees are typically reviewed every one to two sessions rather than every year, but a prospective student should always confirm the current figure directly with the institution before making any payment, since published fee schedules can be revised without much prior notice.