Kebbi State hosts a small but recognized group of institutions that train nurses and midwives under the supervision of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). Anyone planning to study nursing in the state for the 2026/2027 academic session needs to know which schools hold valid approval, what programmes each one runs, and what it costs to attend. This article lays out that information clearly, using the most reliable figures available and noting where students should confirm current amounts directly with a school before making payment.
Why NMCN Approval Matters
The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria is the regulatory body responsible for accrediting nursing and midwifery training institutions across the country. A school’s NMCN status determines whether its graduates can sit for the professional licensing examination and register as practicing nurses. Attending a school without valid accreditation puts a student’s entire training at risk, since certificates from unapproved institutions are not recognized for licensing purposes.
Before applying anywhere, a candidate should verify a school’s current accreditation status directly with NMCN or through the school’s official documentation, since accreditation can be renewed, suspended, or upgraded over time. The institutions listed in this article are the ones publicly known and recognized for nursing or midwifery training in Kebbi State as of the current session.
List of Approved Nursing Institutions in Kebbi State
Kebbi State currently has the following institutions offering nursing-related training:
- Kebbi State College of Nursing Sciences, Birnin Kebbi (KBCONS) – formerly known as Kebbi State School of Nursing and Midwifery, this institution was established in 2002 and upgraded to a full college in 2021. It runs Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Post Basic Nursing, Post Basic Midwifery, Community Nursing, Community Midwifery, and ND/HND Nursing programmes.
- Sajo College of Nursing Sciences, Birnin Kebbi (SAJOCONS) – a privately owned institution recognized by NMCN, offering Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, and various Post Basic specialty programmes such as Perioperative Nursing, Anaesthetic Nursing, Paediatric Nursing, and Accident & Emergency Nursing.
- Federal University, Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) – a degree-awarding federal university that runs a Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) programme under its Faculty of Clinical Sciences, alongside Medicine and Surgery, Physiology, and Anatomy.
These three currently represent the main channels through which a student can pursue formal nursing education within Kebbi State, spanning the certificate/diploma route (the colleges of nursing) and the university degree route (FUBK).
Kebbi State College of Nursing Sciences (KBCONS): Programmes and Fees
KBCONS is the state government-owned institution and remains the most widely recognized nursing school in Kebbi State. It offers:
- Basic Nursing – a 3-year (6-semester) programme for secondary school leavers, leading to registration as a Registered Nurse. Admission typically opens in September.
- Basic Midwifery – a 3-year programme designed to train competent midwifery professionals, with intake usually in March.
- Post Basic Nursing and Post Basic Midwifery – 18-month (3-semester) conversion programmes for candidates who are already registered midwives or registered nurses and want to add the complementary qualification.
- ND/HND Nursing – a 4-year uninterrupted diploma programme accredited by both NMCN and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), structured as a 2-year ND phase followed by a 2-year HND phase.
Regarding fees, tuition at KBCONS has been placed at ₦40,000 for indigenes of Kebbi State and ₦70,000 for non-indigenes per session, though this figure excludes acceptance fees, hostel charges, and other compulsory miscellaneous payments that the school adds on top of tuition. Application form charges have varied by programme, with Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery forms priced around ₦6,500 to ₦7,500, and Post Basic programme forms priced higher, in the region of ₦8,500 to ₦10,500, due to the additional processing required for candidates who already hold a professional licence.
| Fee Component | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (Kebbi State indigene) | ₦40,000 per session |
| Tuition (non-indigene) | ₦70,000 per session |
| Basic Nursing/Midwifery application form | ₦6,500 – ₦7,500 |
| Post Basic Nursing/Midwifery application form | ₦8,500 – ₦10,500 |
| Acceptance fee, hostel fee, uniform, stationery, etc. | Charged separately, varies by session |
These figures reflect recent sessions and give a realistic sense of what to expect, but tuition schedules are reviewed periodically by the state government, so the exact amount for 2026/2027 should be confirmed once the school releases its official fee schedule at the point of admission. Students are also advised to budget for non-tuition items such as uniforms, the record of training booklet, examination charges, and the harmonized code of ethics handbook, since a student is not fully registered until every listed fee is settled in full before the registration deadline.
It is worth noting that KBCONS has in past sessions been listed among institutions benefiting from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has disbursed tuition-related support to verified students at the college. Candidates who need financial assistance should check whether they qualify for this loan scheme when it opens for applications, as it can meaningfully reduce the amount paid out of pocket at registration.
Sajo College of Nursing Sciences (SAJOCONS): Programmes and Fees
SAJOCONS is a privately run institution located along Sahabi Nabalki Street, behind the Police Barracks in Birnin Kebbi. It is recognized by NMCN and trains both general nurses and midwives, alongside a range of Post Basic specialty courses that are less commonly found in the state, including:
- Basic Nursing
- Basic Midwifery
- Post Basic Nursing in Perioperative Nursing
- Post Basic Nursing in Anaesthetic Nursing
- Post Basic Nursing in Paediatric Nursing
- Post Basic Nursing in Accident & Emergency Nursing
Because SAJOCONS is privately owned, its fee structure is generally higher than that of the state-government-run KBCONS, and the school does not publish a fixed public fee schedule online. Application and admission processing at SAJOCONS has historically been coordinated through phone-based admission support rather than a single automated portal, and prospective applicants are directed to contact the school administration directly for the current session’s tuition and fee breakdown before purchasing a form. Anyone considering this school should reach out through the official college contact channels or visit the campus in person to obtain a written fee schedule, since relying on unofficial third-party figures for a private institution carries a real risk of paying the wrong amount or falling for a fraudulent intermediary.
Entry requirements at SAJOCONS mirror the standard national requirement for nursing training: five O’Level credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics, plus three other relevant science subjects (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology), obtained in not more than two sittings through WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB.
Federal University, Birnin Kebbi (FUBK): Nursing Science Degree and Fees
FUBK offers a full Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) degree under its Faculty of Clinical Sciences, alongside Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), Physiology, and Anatomy. As a federal university, tuition and departmental charges at FUBK fall within the fee bands typical of federal institutions running clinical science programmes.
Reported school fee ranges for courses at FUBK span from about ₦66,000 to ₦180,000 per session, with clinical programmes such as Medicine, Surgery, and Nursing generally sitting toward the higher end of that range because of the additional laboratory, clinical placement, and departmental charges attached to health-related courses. This places Nursing Science at FUBK as a moderately priced option compared to private nursing colleges, while offering the added benefit of a full university degree rather than a diploma or certificate.
Because tuition at Nigerian federal universities is periodically reviewed and can differ by faculty, level, and whether a student is new or returning, applicants should treat the ₦66,000–₦180,000 range as a general guide rather than a fixed figure, and should confirm the exact departmental breakdown for the Nursing Science programme directly from the university’s bursary or admissions office once admission is confirmed for the 2026/2027 session.
Comparing the Three Options
| Institution | Type | Programmes Offered | Duration | Fee Range (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KBCONS, Birnin Kebbi | State-owned | Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Post Basic Nursing/Midwifery, ND/HND Nursing | 18 months – 4 years | ₦40,000 (indigene) / ₦70,000 (non-indigene) tuition + extra charges |
| SAJOCONS, Birnin Kebbi | Private | Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Post Basic specialties | 18 months – 3 years | Not publicly fixed; contact school directly |
| FUBK | Federal University | B.NSc Nursing Science (degree) | 5 years | Approx. ₦66,000 – ₦180,000 per session |
Each pathway suits a different kind of applicant. Someone who wants to start practicing as a nurse in the shortest possible time and at the lowest cost typically leans toward KBCONS as a Kebbi State indigene. Someone who already holds WASSCE or equivalent results and wants a full university degree with broader career mobility, including postgraduate study options, is better placed applying to FUBK. SAJOCONS suits candidates interested in specialized Post Basic training in areas like perioperative or accident and emergency nursing that are not widely available at the other two institutions.
General Admission Requirements
Across all three institutions, the baseline O’Level requirement for entry into a basic nursing or midwifery programme is the same: five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, obtained in not more than two sittings from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB. Candidates for Post Basic programmes must additionally hold an existing NMCN licence in the complementary field (a registered midwife applying for Post Basic Nursing, or a registered nurse applying for Post Basic Midwifery) along with a minimum number of years of practicing experience, which has generally been set at two years.
For the university degree route at FUBK, candidates need UTME registration through JAMB in addition to meeting the O’Level credit requirement, and admission is competitive based on the university’s departmental cut-off mark for Nursing Science.
Other Payments Students Should Budget For
Beyond tuition, nursing students in Kebbi State institutions should plan for these additional and recurring costs:
- Acceptance fee, payable immediately after an offer of admission
- Hostel accommodation fee, particularly for freshers who need campus housing
- School uniform and clinical wear
- Practical training materials, including the record of training booklet
- Examination fees for internal continuous assessments
- Handbook and code of ethics documentation required by NMCN
- Clinical posting or attachment-related charges during the practical training phase
Failure to complete any of these payments before the registration deadline set by the school can result in a student being denied registration for that session, so it is important to gather the full, updated cost breakdown rather than budgeting only for tuition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kebbi State College of Nursing Sciences the same as Kebbi State School of Nursing and Midwifery?
Yes. The institution was originally known as Kebbi State School of Nursing and Midwifery before it was upgraded to a college in 2021 and began running ND/HND Nursing programmes in addition to its original Basic Nursing and Midwifery training.
Can a candidate apply to more than one nursing institution in Kebbi State in the same session?
Yes, since each institution runs its own independent application and screening process, a candidate can apply to KBCONS, SAJOCONS, and FUBK in the same admission cycle, provided the entrance examination or screening dates do not clash.
Do private nursing colleges like SAJOCONS cost more than the state college?
Generally, yes. Privately owned nursing colleges tend to charge more than state-government-funded colleges because they do not receive the same level of public subsidy, so their tuition and other charges are usually set higher to cover operational costs.
Is financial assistance available for nursing students in Kebbi State?
Some Kebbi State nursing students have accessed support through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has covered tuition-related fees for verified students at institutions like KBCONS. Eligible students should check NELFUND’s application requirements when the scheme opens for a new session.
Where can a candidate get the exact current fee schedule before applying?
The safest approach is to contact the specific institution’s admissions office or bursary directly, since fees are reviewed periodically and the most accurate, up-to-date figure will always come from the school itself rather than from a third-party summary.