Ondo State hosts a diverse mix of nursing training institutions, ranging from a state-owned college running diploma programmes to a specialised medical university and a private university offering a full nursing degree. For anyone researching where to study nursing in Ondo State, understanding which institutions are properly approved and what each one charges is the first step toward making an informed decision. This article covers the recognised nursing training options across Akure, Ondo City, and Owo, along with realistic fee expectations for each.
An “approved” nursing school means the institution’s nursing programme carries recognition from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), the regulatory body responsible for licensing nurses to practise in the country. Attending an unapproved programme means a graduate cannot sit the professional licensing examination, so verifying NMCN status before enrolling is essential rather than optional.
Overview of Nursing Education in Ondo State
Nursing training in Ondo State runs through three main channels. The first is the state-run Ondo State Schools of Nursing and Midwifery, which offer the traditional diploma-level Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery programmes leading to Registered Nurse (RN) and Registered Midwife (RM) qualifications. The second channel is university-based training, anchored by the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) in Ondo City, a specialised medical university offering a full Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) degree, alongside Achievers University in Owo, a private institution running its own B.N.Sc. programme. The third channel consists of private diploma colleges such as Peacock College of Nursing Sciences in Akure, which run ND and HND pathways in nursing regulated jointly by the NMCN and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Each pathway suits a different kind of student. The state college system and private diploma colleges offer a shorter, more affordable route into the profession through a Registered Nurse qualification. The university B.N.Sc. route takes longer and costs considerably more, but produces a graduate with a full degree alongside the nursing licence.
List of Approved Nursing Institutions in Ondo State and Their Fees
The table below summarises the main nursing training institutions operating in Ondo State, the type of programme each runs, and the approximate fee range per session.
| Institution | Location | Programme Type | Approximate Fee (Per Session) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ondo State Schools of Nursing and Midwifery | Akure and other campuses | Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery (3-year diploma) | ₦80,000 – ₦180,000 |
| Peacock College of Nursing Sciences | Akure | ND/HND Nursing (4-year diploma) | Confirm current figures directly with the college |
| University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) | Ondo City | B.N.Sc. Nursing Science (5-year degree) | ₦300,000 – ₦420,000 |
| Achievers University | Owo | B.N.Sc. Nursing Science (5-year degree) | Confirm current figures directly with the university |
These figures reflect the most recently published fee information for each institution. Because tuition schedules are reviewed periodically, especially at university level, applicants should always confirm the exact current amount with the specific institution’s admissions or bursary office before making any payment.
Ondo State Schools of Nursing and Midwifery
The Ondo State Schools of Nursing and Midwifery form the backbone of government-run nursing training in the state. These schools offer the standard three-year Basic Nursing programme and a separate Basic Midwifery track, both regulated by the NMCN and monitored by the Ondo State Ministry of Health, which oversees nursing and midwifery training activities across the state through its dedicated nursing and midwifery education department.
Admission into these schools typically requires five O’Level credit passes, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings, along with a school-administered entrance examination and interview. Fees at this level are the most affordable in the state, generally falling between ₦80,000 and ₦180,000 per session depending on the specific charges applied in a given admission cycle. Students should budget separately for the application form, acceptance fee, examination fees, and clinical practice charges, none of which are typically bundled into the base tuition figure.
Peacock College of Nursing Sciences, Akure
Peacock College of Nursing Sciences is a private, fully licensed nursing college located at Oluwatuyi Roundabout in Akure. The college runs a four-year ND and HND nursing programme regulated jointly by the NMCN and the NBTE, and graduates earn dual qualifications as Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives, making them eligible for NYSC mobilisation and immediate employment upon completion.
Because Peacock operates as a private college, its fee schedule differs from the government-run state schools and is set independently by the college’s management. Prospective applicants should contact the college directly or check its official channels for the current session’s fee schedule, since private nursing colleges typically adjust tuition more frequently than state-run institutions. Admission requirements mirror the general standard applied across Ondo State’s nursing institutions: five O’Level credits in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics in not more than two sittings, along with JAMB registration where applicable to the ND entry route.
University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo City
The University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, is Nigeria’s first specialised medical university and Africa’s third of its kind, established by the Ondo State Government in 2015 and accredited by the National Universities Commission. UNIMED runs a full B.N.Sc. Nursing Science programme within its Faculty of Nursing Science, with clinical training supported by the university’s teaching hospital complexes across Ondo and Akure. The nursing curriculum covers areas such as Adult Health, which includes Medical, Surgical, Mental Health, and Psychiatric Nursing, alongside the standard theoretical and clinical training expected of a full nursing degree.
Nursing fees at UNIMED are structured by student status and level. Fresh non-indigene students pay approximately ₦420,000 per session, while returning non-indigene students pay approximately ₦300,000 per session. Indigenes of Ondo State generally pay less than non-indigenes due to state government subsidy, consistent with the fee policy applied across most of UNIMED’s other departments. Fresh students must also budget for an acceptance fee ranging between ₦60,000 and ₦100,000, along with hostel accommodation costs of approximately ₦130,000 to ₦150,000 per session for those who choose to reside on campus. Admission into UNIMED’s nursing programme requires a competitive JAMB score, with candidates generally advised to aim for at least 180 or above to stand a reasonable chance, alongside the standard five O’Level credits in the core science subjects.
Achievers University, Owo
Achievers University, located in Owo, runs a full Bachelor of Nursing Science programme that combines classroom instruction, laboratory work, and teaching-hospital clinical exposure over the standard five-year degree structure. As a private university, Achievers offers a university-based alternative to the state college diploma route for candidates who prefer a full nursing degree with broader campus resources and facilities.
Because Achievers University sets its own private fee schedule, prospective applicants should confirm the exact current tuition directly with the university’s admissions office rather than relying on outdated third-party estimates, since private university fees in Nigeria are typically reviewed at least once per academic session. Admission requirements follow the standard pattern applied to nursing programmes nationally: five O’Level credits in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics in not more than two sittings, combined with a competitive UTME score and successful completion of the university’s post-UTME screening process.
Factors That Affect Nursing School Fees in Ondo State
Several factors explain the range in fees across Ondo State’s nursing institutions. Ownership type is the most significant driver: government-run schools and state universities receive public subsidy and typically charge less than fully private institutions, which must recover their operating costs entirely from tuition. Indigene status also affects fees at state-supported institutions like UNIMED, where Ondo State indigenes generally pay a reduced rate compared to students from other states. Programme type matters too, since a diploma-level Basic Nursing or ND programme costs considerably less than a full five-year B.N.Sc. degree, given the shorter duration and lower administrative overhead of diploma training. Finally, whether a quoted fee includes accommodation, feeding, and clinical practice charges, or tuition alone, significantly changes what a student should actually budget for a given session.
General Admission Requirements Across Ondo State Nursing Institutions
Regardless of which institution a candidate chooses, nursing admission in Ondo State consistently requires five O’Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained through WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent body, in not more than two sittings. Diploma-level colleges and the state school system typically require a school-administered entrance examination and interview, while university B.N.Sc. programmes require a UTME score meeting the institution’s specific cut-off mark, followed by a post-UTME screening exercise. Candidates should confirm each institution’s exact current cut-off mark and subject combination requirements before applying, since these details are reviewed each admission cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most affordable approved nursing school in Ondo State?
The Ondo State Schools of Nursing and Midwifery offer the most affordable option, with fees generally ranging between ₦80,000 and ₦180,000 per session for the Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery diploma programmes.
Can I study nursing in Ondo State without JAMB?
The state-run diploma schools and private colleges like Peacock College typically admit through their own entrance examinations, though JAMB registration may still apply depending on the specific programme and admission cycle. University B.N.Sc. programmes, such as those at UNIMED and Achievers University, always require UTME.
How long does it take to complete a nursing programme in Ondo State?
Diploma-level Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery programmes generally take three years, ND/HND college programmes take about four years, while university B.N.Sc. degree programmes take five years.
Is UNIMED nursing fee the same for indigenes and non-indigenes?
No. Ondo State indigenes generally pay a lower fee than non-indigenes at UNIMED, consistent with the state government subsidy applied across most departments at the university.