Kaduna State hosts several Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) approved institutions offering nursing education, ranging from state-owned diploma colleges to federal university degree programmes and private faith-based schools. Anyone planning to study nursing in Kaduna State for the 2026/2027 academic session needs to know which institutions carry valid accreditation and what each one charges, since fees differ significantly depending on whether a school runs a diploma programme, a Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) degree, or a post-basic specialty programme. This article lists the approved nursing schools in Kaduna State and breaks down their fees.
Why Accreditation Status Matters Before Choosing a School
Before looking at fees, it is important to understand why NMCN approval is the first thing every applicant must confirm. < cite index=”34-1″>The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria approves schools of nursing, midwifery, post-basic nursing, and departments of nursing, and assigns each an accreditation status along with an admission quota on a state-by-state basis. As at the most recent update, there are 290 nursing training institutions across Nigeria carrying this approval.</cite> Accreditation is not permanent; < cite index=”34-1″>full accreditation status lasts five years, provisional accreditation lasts two years, and an institution placed under embargo cannot admit new students until identified deficiencies are corrected and a resource verification visit is conducted.</cite> This means a school that was fully accredited in one admission cycle may carry a different status in another, so applicants should always confirm current accreditation status directly with the NMCN before applying.
List of NMCN-Approved Nursing Institutions in Kaduna State
Kaduna State runs a mix of federal, state, and private nursing training institutions. The main approved schools include:
- Department of Nursing Science, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria — a federal university degree programme leading to a Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.).
- School of Nursing, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria — < cite index=”40-1″>one of Nigeria’s oldest and most respected nursing institutions, established in 1952, offering basic and advanced diploma-level programmes and ranking among the top five nursing schools nationally.</cite>
- Kaduna State College of Nursing and Midwifery (KSCNM) — < cite index=”47-1″>a multi-campus state institution formed after the enactment of Law No. 34 of 2018, which merged the College of Nursing, Kafanchan, and the College of Midwifery, Tudun Wada, and later added a campus at Pambegua to train nurses.</cite>
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Kaduna State University (KASU) — < cite index=”35-1″>a university-level nursing science department under Kaduna State University, Kaduna.</cite>
- St. Gerard’s Catholic Hospital School of Nursing, Kakuri, Kaduna — a private, faith-based nursing school that also admits students from other African countries.
- St. Louis School of Midwifery, Zonkwa, Kaduna — a private, accredited school of midwifery.
Applicants who selected a diploma-level programme, such as those offered by KSCNM, ABUTH School of Nursing, or St. Gerard’s, are not required to sit for JAMB UTME, since these are direct institutional admissions. However, degree programmes at ABU Zaria and KASU require candidates to have applied and scored the required cut-off in JAMB UTME before proceeding with any institutional screening.
Nursing School Fees in Kaduna State for 2026/2027
Fees across these institutions vary considerably, driven mainly by whether the programme is a diploma, a post-basic specialty, or a full university degree, and by whether an applicant is an indigene of Kaduna State or not. The table below summarises the estimated session fees across the major approved institutions.
| Institution | Programme Type | Estimated Fee (Per Session) |
|---|---|---|
| Kaduna State College of Nursing and Midwifery (KSCNM) | Basic Nursing/Midwifery | ₦40,000 – ₦70,000 |
| Kaduna State College of Nursing and Midwifery (KSCNM) | Post-Basic Nursing/Midwifery (1 year) | ₦100,000 |
| Kaduna State School of Nursing (indigene) | Basic Nursing | ₦85,000 |
| Kaduna State School of Nursing (non-indigene) | Basic Nursing | ₦100,000 |
| Kaduna State School of Nursing (indigene) | Post Basic Nursing | ₦105,000 |
| Kaduna State School of Nursing (non-indigene) | Post Basic Nursing | ₦120,000 |
| School of Nursing, ABUTH Zaria | Diploma/RN | ₦150,000 – ₦200,000 |
| Department of Nursing Science, ABU Zaria | B.N.Sc. Degree | Approximately ₦78,000 |
These figures cover tuition-related charges only. Accommodation, uniforms, textbooks, clinical equipment, and personal upkeep are budgeted separately and are not part of the tuition figure quoted by any of these institutions.
Kaduna State College of Nursing and Midwifery (KSCNM) Fees
< cite index=”42-1″>For the 2025/2026 academic session, KSCNM fees vary by programme and year of study, with the school charging around ₦40,000 to ₦70,000 for basic programmes per session and ₦100,000 for the entire one-year post-basic nursing or midwifery programme.</cite> These figures cover tuition alone; < cite index=”42-1″>students are expected to budget separately for accommodation, uniforms, textbooks, and other personal expenses, and payment is typically made at the start of each academic year.</cite> KSCNM remains the most affordable nursing training option in the state given its status as a state-government-subsidised institution, and this fee structure reflects the government’s broader objective of keeping healthcare training accessible across Kaduna State’s local government areas.
Because KSCNM runs a multi-campus structure with locations in Kafanchan, Tudun Wada, and Pambegua, applicants should confirm which campus their admission letter assigns them to, as campus assignment can affect accommodation availability and proximity to clinical placement sites.
Kaduna State School of Nursing Fees (Indigene vs Non-Indigene)
Aside from KSCNM, some Kaduna State nursing institutions structure their fees differently for indigenes and non-indigenes of the state. < cite index=”44-1″>Indigene students pay ₦85,000 for Basic Nursing and ₦105,000 for Post Basic Nursing, while non-indigene students pay ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 respectively.</cite> Beyond tuition, < cite index=”44-1″>students are required to pay additional charges including admission acceptance fees, examination fees, clinical tools, textbooks, hostel accommodation where applicable, and ICT or portal access fees.</cite> Payment is completed online, and < cite index=”44-1″>students log in with their application number and access code, select the appropriate payment category, and complete the transaction through the school’s official portal.</cite> Late payment carries penalties, including denial of lecture access and loss of hostel space to students on the waiting list, so early payment is strongly advised.
ABUTH School of Nursing, Zaria Fees
The School of Nursing at ABUTH is one of the most established diploma-level nursing institutions in Northern Nigeria, and it draws students from across the country because of its access to one of Nigeria’s largest teaching hospitals. < cite index=”52-1″>Tuition fees for the ABUTH School of Nursing are estimated between ₦150,000 and ₦200,000 per session, and total charges typically remain below ₦200,000 regardless of the specific programme a student is enrolled in.</cite> Students who need accommodation outside the hospital’s own hostel facilities should note that < cite index=”52-1″>a self-contained apartment within the town costs roughly ₦120,000, separate from the tuition fee.</cite> Applicants seeking admission also pay < cite index=”54-1″>an application fee of ₦6,200</cite> at the point of purchasing the admission form.
Department of Nursing Science, ABU Zaria Fees
For candidates who prefer a full university degree rather than a diploma, the Department of Nursing Science at Ahmadu Bello University offers the B.N.Sc. programme. < cite index=”50-1″>Tuition for nursing at Ahmadu Bello University for the 2025/2026 academic session is listed at ₦78,875,</cite> making it markedly more affordable than the diploma programme at ABUTH, despite conferring a full university degree. This fee applies specifically to indigent Nigerian students; < cite index=”50-1″>ABU Zaria’s charges for non-indigene and international students range considerably higher, from ₦225,000 up to ₦3,075,000 depending on the programme and nationality.</cite> Candidates aiming for a bachelor’s degree in nursing rather than a diploma should factor in that a B.N.Sc. from ABU or KASU typically opens more opportunities for postgraduate study and international nursing licensure compared to a diploma-only qualification.
Choosing Between Diploma and Degree Nursing Programmes in Kaduna
Prospective nursing students in Kaduna State generally choose between three pathways: a state-college diploma (KSCNM or the state school of nursing), a teaching-hospital diploma (ABUTH), or a full university degree (ABU or KASU). Each path has a different balance of cost, duration, and career outcome:
- State college diploma (KSCNM) — the cheapest route into the profession, ideal for candidates prioritising affordability and a shorter path to registered nurse status.
- Teaching hospital diploma (ABUTH) — costs more than the state college but offers stronger clinical exposure through one of the country’s largest teaching hospitals, along with access to post-basic specialty programmes in areas such as mental health, paediatrics, and ophthalmology.
- University degree (ABU or KASU) — costs less than the ABUTH diploma per session despite awarding a full bachelor’s degree, and provides a stronger foundation for advanced practice, postgraduate study, or international licensure.
FAQs
Which is the cheapest approved nursing school in Kaduna State?
The Kaduna State College of Nursing and Midwifery (KSCNM) is the most affordable, with basic programme fees between ₦40,000 and ₦70,000 per session.
Do I need JAMB to study nursing in Kaduna State?
It depends on the institution. Diploma-level schools such as KSCNM, ABUTH School of Nursing, and St. Gerard’s do not require JAMB. Degree programmes at ABU Zaria and KASU require a JAMB UTME score that meets the department’s cut-off.
Is a nursing degree from ABU cheaper than a diploma from ABUTH?
Yes. The B.N.Sc. programme at ABU Zaria costs roughly ₦78,000 per session for indigent Nigerian students, while the ABUTH diploma programme costs between ₦150,000 and ₦200,000 per session.
Does the quoted nursing school fee include accommodation?
No. Tuition figures for all the listed institutions cover academic charges only. Accommodation, uniforms, clinical tools, and textbooks are budgeted separately.
Do non-indigenes pay more to study nursing in Kaduna State?
Yes, in institutions that differentiate by residency status. Non-indigene students at the Kaduna State School of Nursing pay ₦100,000 for Basic Nursing compared to ₦85,000 for indigenes, with a similar gap applying to the post-basic programme.