Enugu State hosts one of the highest concentrations of nursing training institutions in southeastern Nigeria. The state combines teaching-hospital-based schools of nursing, public university nursing science departments, and private university nursing programmes, giving prospective students a wide range of options depending on budget, preferred qualification (diploma-level Registered Nurse training or a full Bachelor of Nursing Science degree), and location within the state. This article lists the approved nursing institutions operating in Enugu State and sets out the fee ranges attached to each, so a candidate can plan admission and finances for the 2026/2027 academic session with clarity.
Before applying to any institution, a candidate should confirm that the school carries valid accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), since this is the regulatory body responsible for approving nursing and midwifery training programmes across the country. A school without current NMCN accreditation cannot produce graduates eligible to sit the professional licensing examination, regardless of how affordable or convenient the programme appears.
Categories of Nursing Training Available in Enugu State
Nursing education in Enugu State falls into three broad categories, and understanding the difference helps a candidate choose the right pathway before looking at fees.
The first category is the teaching-hospital-based School of Nursing, which runs a three-year Basic General Nursing diploma leading to Registered Nurse (RN) status. These programmes are typically attached to a hospital and combine classroom instruction with clinical postings on hospital wards from an early stage.
The second category is the university-based Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) degree, a five-year programme offered by public and private universities. Graduates of this route earn a full university degree in addition to RN eligibility, and many go on to postgraduate study or leadership roles in health administration.
The third category is post-basic and specialized training, open only to candidates who already hold an RN qualification and some years of clinical experience. These one-year programmes train nurses in specific clinical areas such as perioperative nursing, cardiothoracic nursing, ophthalmic nursing, anaesthetic nursing, and midwifery.
List of Approved Nursing Institutions in Enugu State
The table below summarizes the main approved nursing training providers in Enugu State, the type of programme each offers, and the general fee range a student should budget for per session in the 2026/2027 academic year.
| Institution | Programme Type | Duration | Estimated Fee (Per Session) |
|---|---|---|---|
| School of Nursing, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla | Basic General Nursing (RN diploma) | 3 years | ₦150,000 – ₦200,000 |
| Department of Nursing Science, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus | B.N.Sc. degree | 5 years | ₦90,000 – ₦120,000 |
| School of Nursing, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Parklane | Basic General Nursing (RN diploma) | 3 years | ₦150,000 – ₦200,000 |
| Department of Nursing Science, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) | B.N.Sc. degree | 5 years | ₦150,000 – ₦250,000 |
| School of Nursing, Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka | Basic General Nursing (RN diploma) | 3 years | ₦150,000 – ₦220,000 |
| School of Post Basic Midwifery, Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka | Post-basic midwifery | 1 year | ₦180,000 – ₦250,000 |
| School of Post Basic Midwifery, ESUTH Parklane | Post-basic midwifery | 1 year | ₦180,000 – ₦250,000 |
| Post-basic specialty programmes, UNTH (Cardiothoracic, Ophthalmic, Perioperative, Anaesthetic Nursing) | Post-basic specialization | 1 year | ₦200,000 – ₦280,000 |
| Godfrey Okoye University, Ugwuomu-Nike | B.N.Sc. degree | 5 years | ₦450,000 – ₦700,000 |
| Maduka University, Ekwegbe | B.N.Sc. degree | 5 years | ₦800,000 – ₦1,200,000 |
| Coal City University, Enugu | B.N.Sc. degree | 5 years | ₦700,000 – ₦1,000,000 |
| Peaceland University, Enugu | B.N.Sc. degree | 5 years | ₦600,000 – ₦900,000 |
These figures represent the school charge or tuition-equivalent amount only. Acceptance fees, hostel accommodation, application/screening fees, uniform and clinical kit costs, and examination registration fees are billed separately at every institution on this list.
School of Nursing, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH)
UNTH’s School of Nursing, located at Ituku-Ozalla in Enugu North Local Government Area, is one of the oldest nurse-training institutions in southeastern Nigeria. It runs the three-year Basic General Nursing programme and several one-year post-basic specialty programmes for candidates who already hold RN status. Fresh students pay school fees estimated between ₦150,000 and ₦200,000 per session, a figure that typically drops once a student advances beyond the first year. This amount excludes the acceptance fee, hostel accommodation, and application charges paid at the point of entry. Admission into the basic programme requires five credits in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics obtained in not more than two sittings, along with a satisfactory result in the school’s entrance examination.
Department of Nursing Science, University of Nigeria (UNN), Enugu Campus
UNN’s Department of Nursing Science is based at the Enugu Campus and trains students for the full five-year B.N.Sc. degree, with clinical rotations conducted at UNTH from the third year onward. As a federal university, UNN charges considerably lower fees than the private universities on this list, with fresh students paying approximately ₦95,700 per session. This amount covers tuition-equivalent charges, ICT fees, library access, laboratory use, examination fees, and other mandatory university levies. Admission follows the standard UTME and Post-UTME screening route used across federal universities, and Direct Entry candidates with an approved qualification such as a diploma in a related health field may also apply.
School of Nursing, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Parklane
ESUTH Parklane runs a hospital-based Basic General Nursing programme similar in structure to UNTH’s, along with a post-basic midwifery programme. Fees for the basic programme fall within the ₦150,000 to ₦200,000 range per session, while the post-basic midwifery programme costs more, reflecting its specialized clinical content. As a state government-run facility, ESUTH’s fee structure is reviewed periodically by the Enugu State Ministry of Health, so candidates should confirm the exact figure through the hospital’s official admission notice before the session begins.
Department of Nursing Science, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT)
ESUT offers a full B.N.Sc. degree programme through its Department of Nursing Science, combining classroom-based instruction with clinical placements. As a state university, its fees sit above the federal university rate charged by UNN but remain considerably lower than what private universities charge, generally falling between ₦150,000 and ₦250,000 per session depending on the level of study and any additional departmental charges.
Private Universities Offering Nursing in Enugu State
Several private universities in Enugu State now run NMCN-accredited or provisionally accredited B.N.Sc. programmes, providing an alternative for candidates who do not secure admission through JAMB into a public institution or who prefer a private university environment. Godfrey Okoye University, Maduka University, Coal City University, and Peaceland University all fall into this category. Fees at these institutions are significantly higher than public options, ranging from roughly ₦450,000 at the lower end to as much as ₦1,200,000 per session at the upper end, depending on the institution and the specific fee component included. Candidates considering a private university route should request a full, itemized fee schedule directly from the institution’s admissions office, since private universities frequently bill tuition, accommodation, and other charges as separate line items rather than one consolidated figure.
Post-Basic and Specialized Nursing Programmes
Candidates who already hold RN certification and have completed at least one year of clinical practice can apply for post-basic specialization at UNTH or the post-basic midwifery programmes at UNTH and ESUTH Parklane. These one-year programmes train nurses in focused clinical areas — including cardiothoracic nursing, ophthalmic nursing, perioperative nursing, anaesthetic nursing, and midwifery — and cost between ₦180,000 and ₦280,000 per session depending on the specialty and hosting institution. These programmes are competitive, with limited admission slots, and typically require a reference or sponsorship letter from the candidate’s current employer or a letter confirming eligible clinical experience.
General Admission Requirements Across Enugu State Nursing Schools
While specific requirements vary slightly by institution, most approved nursing schools in Enugu State apply a similar baseline standard for admission into the basic or degree-level programme:
- Five credit passes in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or National Examination Council (NECO) result, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- A minimum age requirement, typically between 16 and 35 years at the point of admission.
- A satisfactory result in the institution’s entrance examination or, for university-based programmes, a qualifying UTME score alongside the institution’s Post-UTME screening.
- Medical fitness clearance confirming the candidate is physically capable of undertaking clinical training.
- For post-basic programmes, a valid RN certificate and documented clinical experience, usually a minimum of one year.
Additional Costs to Budget For Beyond School Fees
Every institution on this list bills several charges separately from the core school fee, and candidates should factor these into their total budget for the session:
- Acceptance fee: Paid once, after an offer of admission is confirmed.
- Hostel accommodation: Where available on campus, hostel fees range widely; students who live off-campus in Enugu town or Nsukka should budget separately for rent, which commonly falls between ₦90,000 and ₦150,000 annually for a self-contained room.
- Uniform and clinical kit: Nursing students are required to purchase specific uniforms, aprons, and basic clinical equipment before ward postings begin.
- Application and screening fees: Paid before admission is confirmed, separate from the acceptance fee.
- Examination registration: Costs associated with internal semester examinations and, for diploma-level students, the professional licensing examination administered by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
How to Confirm Current Fees Before Applying
Because government-run institutions review their fee schedules periodically and private universities adjust tuition from one session to the next, the figures presented here should be treated as a planning guide rather than a final invoice. The most reliable way to confirm the exact amount payable for the 2026/2027 session is to check the official admission notice or student portal of the specific institution once applications open, since this is where the approved, current fee breakdown for that session is published.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper: a hospital-based School of Nursing or a university B.N.Sc. programme in Enugu State?
Hospital-based Schools of Nursing and public university programmes are generally comparable, with UNN’s B.N.Sc. programme actually costing less per session than the hospital-based diploma programmes at UNTH and ESUTH. Private universities cost substantially more than either public option.
Do all approved nursing schools in Enugu State require a UTME score?
No. Hospital-based Schools of Nursing that award an RN diploma admit through their own entrance examination rather than UTME. University-based B.N.Sc. programmes require UTME and, in most cases, an additional Post-UTME screening.
Can a Registered Nurse apply directly for a post-basic specialization in Enugu State?
Yes, provided the applicant holds a valid RN certificate and has completed the minimum required period of clinical practice, usually one year, before applying to a post-basic programme at UNTH or ESUTH.
Are hostel and uniform costs included in the school fees listed?
No. The fee ranges listed cover tuition-equivalent school charges only. Hostel accommodation, acceptance fees, uniforms, clinical kits, and examination registration are billed as separate costs at every institution.