The Federal Capital Territory hosts a mix of teaching-hospital-based Schools of Nursing, university-run Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) departments, and private institutions offering nursing education under varying accreditation status. Abuja’s position as Nigeria’s administrative capital means it draws candidates from across the country, so understanding which institutions carry genuine approval from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), and what each charges, is essential before committing to an application for the 2026/2027 session.
Before applying anywhere, a candidate should confirm the specific accreditation status of the programme in question. NMCN accreditation for nursing programmes comes in two forms: full accreditation, which lasts five years, and provisional accreditation, which lasts two years and applies to newer or developing programmes still building toward full status. A school or department under an admission embargo cannot take in new students until identified deficiencies are corrected and a resource verification visit confirms the embargo can be lifted. Checking this status directly with the institution or through the council protects a candidate from investing years of study in a programme that may struggle to produce licensable graduates.
Categories of Nursing Training Available in FCT Abuja
Nursing education in Abuja falls into three broad categories, each suited to a different type of candidate.
The first is the teaching-hospital-based School of Nursing, which runs the three-year Basic General Nursing diploma leading to Registered Nurse (RN) status. The FCT College of Nursing Sciences, Gwagwalada, is the flagship institution in this category and one of the most affordable options in Abuja.
The second is the university-based Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) degree, a five-year programme combining classroom instruction with clinical postings, offered by both public and private universities operating within the territory.
The third is post-basic and specialized nursing training, open to candidates who already hold RN certification and clinical experience, typically hosted within teaching-hospital-affiliated colleges for advanced clinical disciplines.
Table: Approved Nursing Institutions in FCT Abuja and Estimated Fees
| Institution | Programme Type | Duration | Estimated Fee (Per Session) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCT College of Nursing Sciences, Gwagwalada | Basic General Nursing (RN diploma) | 3 years | ₦50,000 – ₦163,000 (first year); lower for returning students |
| College of Nursing Sciences, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada | Post-basic nursing specializations | 1 year | Provisionally accredited; fees confirmed at point of admission |
| National Hospital Abuja School of Nursing | Basic and specialized nursing programmes | Varies | Confirmed directly with the hospital’s admission office |
| Nigerian Turkish Nile University, Department of Nursing | B.NSc degree | 5 years | Private university rate; confirm current schedule with the university |
| Veritas University, Department of Nursing | B.NSc degree | 5 years | ₦415,000 – ₦2,359,000 range applies across VUA courses; nursing acceptance fee is ₦100,000 |
| Baze University, Nursing Programme | B.NSc degree | 5 years | Private university rate; confirm current schedule with the university |
| National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Department of Nursing | B.NSc degree (Direct Entry only, for RNs) | 4 years | Approximately ₦100,000 for new students |
These figures represent tuition and core academic charges only. Acceptance fees, hostel accommodation, uniforms, clinical kits, and departmental levies are billed separately at every institution on this list.
FCT College of Nursing Sciences, Gwagwalada
The FCT College of Nursing Sciences, commonly referred to as the FCT School of Nursing or School of Nursing Gwagwalada, is a federal government-run institution and one of the most established nursing training providers in the territory. It runs the three-year Basic General Nursing programme leading to RN certification.
First-year students at the college pay approximately ₦163,000 in total school charges, while second and third-year students pay considerably less, generally around ₦25,000 per session, since most one-time entry charges apply only to fresh students. Separately from tuition, an acceptance fee of ₦50,000 is required to confirm admission, along with an admission form cost typically around ₦5,000. One distinctive feature of this institution is that admitted students receive a monthly stipend of ₦12,000 throughout the three-year programme, and hostel accommodation within the school is provided free of charge to resident students, since the institution operates as a federal facility.
Admission into the Basic Nursing programme requires a minimum of five credit passes in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO), or General Certificate of Education (GCE), including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings. Candidates must also fall within the age range typically specified by the institution, generally between 17 and 27 years at the point of application.
College of Nursing Sciences, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital
This institution operates within the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital campus in Gwagwalada and focuses on post-basic nursing education, training already-qualified Registered Nurses in specialized clinical disciplines. As of recent accreditation reviews conducted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, this college holds provisional accreditation status, a category applied while the institution works toward full accreditation. Candidates interested in post-basic specialization here should confirm current fees and the specific specialty programmes available directly with the college’s admission office, since post-basic fee schedules are updated periodically and tied to the specific clinical discipline selected.
National Hospital Abuja School of Nursing
The National Hospital Abuja runs its own nursing training institution, offering both basic and specialized nursing programmes. As a nationally recognized referral hospital, it draws considerable interest from candidates across the country. Fee schedules and admission cycles for this institution are best confirmed directly through the hospital’s admission channels, since specific figures are released closer to each admission cycle and can shift from one session to the next.
University-Based Nursing Programmes in Abuja
Several universities within the FCT run a full five-year Bachelor of Nursing Science degree, offering an alternative to the diploma-level route through teaching-hospital schools.
Veritas University, founded by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and located in Bwari, runs a Department of Nursing under its Faculty of Health Sciences. The university’s general school fees span a wide range depending on course, from roughly ₦415,000 to over ₦2,000,000 for the most resource-intensive programmes, and nursing students pay an acceptance fee of ₦100,000 in addition to their tuition. Admission requires a UTME score of at least 200, along with five credit passes in Biology, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and English Language. Direct-entry candidates transferring from another nursing programme require a minimum CGPA of 3.5 and pay a separate transfer fee of ₦200,000.
Baze University also runs a Nursing programme covering foundational subjects such as anatomy and physiology alongside ethics and clinical communication. As with most private universities in Abuja, prospective students should request the current fee schedule directly from the university’s admissions office, since private institutions frequently revise tuition figures between sessions.
Nigerian Turkish Nile University offers a Department of Nursing blending international academic standards with local clinical training requirements, positioned as an option for candidates seeking a globally oriented nursing qualification within Abuja.
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) offers a distinctive route into a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree, but admission is restricted to Direct Entry candidates who are already licensed Registered Nurses. The programme runs for four years and carries an estimated fee of around ₦100,000 for new students, making it one of the more affordable university-level nursing qualifications in the territory, though it is not an entry point for candidates without prior RN certification.
General Admission Requirements Across Abuja Nursing Institutions
While specific requirements differ by institution, most approved nursing schools in FCT Abuja apply a broadly similar baseline for admission into a basic or degree-level nursing programme:
- Five credit passes in WAEC, NECO, or GCE, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- A UTME score meeting the specific institution’s cut-off mark, which for university-based nursing programmes is typically set considerably higher than the general course cut-off, often at 200 or above given nursing’s status as a highly competitive, regulated course.
- A minimum age requirement, generally falling between 16 and 27 years depending on the institution.
- Satisfactory performance in the institution’s entrance examination or Post-UTME screening, where applicable.
- For post-basic and Direct Entry nursing routes, a valid Registered Nurse certificate and, in some cases, a minimum CGPA from a prior nursing qualification.
Additional Costs Beyond School Fees
Every nursing institution in Abuja bills several charges separately from the core tuition figure, and candidates should budget for these when planning their finances:
- Acceptance fee: Ranges considerably by institution, from ₦30,000 to ₦50,000 at federal teaching-hospital schools, and up to ₦100,000 or more at some private universities.
- Hostel accommodation: Provided free at the FCT College of Nursing Sciences, Gwagwalada, but billed as a separate charge at most private universities, where costs vary by room type and campus location.
- Uniform and clinical kit: Required across all nursing training institutions before ward postings or clinical practicals begin.
- Development levy and registration fees: Common at private universities, charged annually alongside tuition.
- Field trip and practical fees: Applied where clinical or laboratory-based coursework requires off-campus training or specialized equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the cheapest approved nursing school in FCT Abuja?
The FCT College of Nursing Sciences, Gwagwalada, is generally the most affordable, with total first-year charges around ₦163,000 and significantly lower fees from the second year onward, alongside a monthly stipend and free hostel accommodation for admitted students.
Do all nursing programmes in Abuja require a UTME score of 200?
No. This requirement applies mainly to university-based Bachelor of Nursing Science programmes, which are classified as highly competitive regulated courses. Teaching-hospital-based Schools of Nursing, such as FCT College of Nursing Sciences, admit through their own entrance examination process rather than a strict UTME cut-off of 200.
Can a candidate without a nursing background apply to NOUN’s nursing programme?
No. NOUN’s Bachelor of Nursing Science degree is available only to Direct Entry candidates who already hold a valid Registered Nurse certificate and license from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
Are hostel and uniform costs included in the school fees listed?
No, except at the FCT College of Nursing Sciences, Gwagwalada, where hostel accommodation is provided free to resident students. At every other institution on this list, accommodation, uniforms, and clinical kits are billed as separate costs from the core tuition.
How can a candidate confirm an institution’s current NMCN accreditation status?
Candidates should confirm directly with the specific school’s admissions office or through the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, since accreditation status (full or provisional) is reviewed periodically and can change between admission cycles.