Oyo State is one of the most established centers for nursing education in southwestern Nigeria, built around Ibadan’s long history as a major medical and academic hub. The state hosts a mix of federal teaching hospital training programmes, a state-owned nursing college, and university nursing departments, all regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). This article lists the approved nursing institutions in Oyo State, explains what each one offers, and breaks down their school fees so a prospective student can compare options and plan a realistic budget before applying.
What Approval Means for Nursing Training in Oyo State
Before comparing institutions, it helps to understand what “approved” actually covers. In Nigeria, three regulatory bodies oversee nursing training in different capacities. The NMCN accredits nursing and midwifery programmes and controls the licensing examination that graduates must pass to practice as a Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife. The National Universities Commission (NUC) approves university-level Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) degree programmes. The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) oversees National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) nursing programmes run through colleges of health technology. A school lacking the relevant accreditation cannot register its graduates for professional licensing, regardless of how the institution markets itself, so candidates should always confirm an institution’s current accreditation status directly with the school or the NMCN before applying or paying any fees.
Nursing Colleges and Hospital-Based Schools in Oyo State
Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Eleyele, Ibadan
This is the flagship state-owned nursing institution in Oyo State, commonly referred to as the Eleyele School of Nursing. Originally established in 1949 as the Oyo State School of Nursing, it later merged with the School of Midwifery in Yemetu to form the current college. It runs National Diploma (ND) Nursing, Basic General Nursing, Basic Midwifery, and Post-Basic Midwifery programmes, all recognized by the NMCN. Admission into the ND Nursing programme currently requires a JAMB UTME score, with a cut-off mark commonly set around 200 for recent sessions, alongside a Post-UTME screening exercise. School fees at this college generally fall between ₦150,000 and ₦240,000 per session, making it one of the more budget-conscious options for nursing training in the state.
School of Nursing, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan
Attached to University College Hospital, one of Nigeria’s oldest and most prominent federal teaching hospitals, this school offers Basic Nursing training along with several Post-Basic specialty programmes for already-registered nurses. Because it operates under a major federal teaching hospital, students benefit from ward-based clinical exposure across a wide range of specialties. Fees at UCH’s School of Nursing generally range from ₦150,000 to ₦300,000 per session depending on the specific programme, with Post-Basic specialty tracks typically priced at the higher end of that range.
Private and Mission-Based Nursing Colleges in Ibadan
Beyond the state college and the UCH programme, Ibadan hosts several smaller private and hospital-affiliated nursing colleges, including institutions such as Pogil College of Health Technology, which run NMCN-approved Basic Nursing training. These institutions typically charge between ₦150,000 and ₦200,000 per session, positioning them as a comparable or slightly lower-cost alternative to the larger public institutions, though facilities and clinical exposure vary by institution and should be checked directly before applying.
Universities in Oyo State Offering Nursing Science
University of Ibadan (UI)
The University of Ibadan runs a Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) programme through its College of Medicine, with clinical training delivered through University College Hospital. As Nigeria’s premier federal university, UI’s Nursing Science programme carries strong academic prestige and stable, well-established teaching structures, along with access to a large-scale teaching hospital environment for practical training. Being a federal university, tuition remains subsidized, and the school publishes its exact fee schedule to admitted candidates each session rather than through a single fixed public figure, so candidates should confirm the current amount directly through the university once admission is offered. As a strong general guide, federal university nursing tuition of this kind commonly falls in a considerably lower band than private university equivalents, typically in the tens of thousands to low hundreds of thousands of naira range per session, excluding accommodation.
Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo Town
Ajayi Crowther University, a private institution owned by the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), runs an NMCN-approved Nursing Science programme. Fees here are billed by level and include a distinct clinical fee on top of the base tuition. For a recent session, tuition for Nursing Science ran at approximately ₦1,457,800 for 100 Level, ₦1,419,600 for 200 Level, ₦1,563,800 for 300 and 400 Level, and ₦1,600,000 for 500 Level, with an additional clinical fee of ₦200,000 charged at every level. This places the total annual cost, once the clinical fee is added, at approximately ₦1.6 million to ₦1.8 million depending on the year of study, a considerable step up from the state college and hospital-based options.
Lead City University, Ibadan
Lead City University, a private institution in Ibadan, also runs a Nursing programme with NMCN approval. Fees here sit below some of the state’s other private university options, generally reported in the range of ₦650,000 to ₦800,000 per session, positioning it as a mid-tier private option between the state-owned nursing college and the more expensive private universities in the region.
Fee Comparison Across Nursing Institutions in Oyo State
The table below summarizes the general cost bracket across the main categories of nursing institution available in Oyo State, to help with quick comparison.
| Institution Type | Example | Programme | Approximate Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| State-owned nursing college | Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Eleyele | ND Nursing, Midwifery | ₦150,000 – ₦240,000 |
| Federal teaching hospital school | School of Nursing, UCH Ibadan | Basic Nursing, Post-Basic specialties | ₦150,000 – ₦300,000 |
| Private/mission nursing college | Pogil College of Health Technology and similar | Basic Nursing | ₦150,000 – ₦200,000 |
| Federal university | University of Ibadan | B.N.Sc. (Nursing Science) | Confirmed per session by the university; subsidized federal rate |
| Mid-tier private university | Lead City University | B.N.Sc. (Nursing Science) | ₦650,000 – ₦800,000 |
| Higher-tier private university | Ajayi Crowther University | B.N.Sc. (Nursing Science) | ₦1,457,800 – ₦1,800,000 (including clinical fee) |
The pattern across Oyo State mirrors what is seen nationally: state-owned colleges and federal teaching hospital schools offer the most accessible entry point into the nursing profession, university degrees at federal institutions offer a subsidized route to a full bachelor’s degree, and private universities charge significantly more in exchange for shorter waiting periods, newer facilities, and a university campus experience.
General Admission Requirements
Admission requirements are broadly consistent across nursing institutions in Oyo State, with some variation in the specific cut-off mark or screening format.
- Five O’Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings through WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent recognized examination.
- A JAMB UTME result, required for both ND Nursing at the state college and B.N.Sc. programmes at universities, with the specific cut-off mark set independently by each institution.
- A minimum age of 16 at the point of admission, in line with the general NMCN entry requirement for basic nursing and midwifery training.
- Successful completion of the institution’s own Post-UTME screening exercise, which factors into the final admission decision alongside the JAMB score.
- A medical fitness certificate, generally required after provisional admission and before full registration begins.
Choosing Between the Available Options
The right choice depends heavily on budget, timeline, and long-term career goals. A candidate who wants to enter the nursing workforce quickly and at the lowest possible cost typically leans toward the Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery or the UCH School of Nursing, since both offer the ND or Basic Nursing route in three years at a fraction of what private universities charge. A candidate who specifically wants a full university degree alongside professional registration, and who can meet the academic requirements, gets the strongest value from the University of Ibadan’s B.N.Sc. programme, combining prestige, strong clinical exposure through UCH, and subsidized federal tuition. Candidates drawn to a private university environment, whether for facilities, campus life, or a faster admission process, should weigh Lead City University against Ajayi Crowther University, since the fee difference between the two is substantial and should be matched against what each institution specifically offers in terms of facilities and clinical partnerships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the cheapest approved nursing school in Oyo State?
The Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Eleyele, and the School of Nursing at University College Hospital, Ibadan are generally the most affordable options, with fees commonly falling between ₦150,000 and ₦300,000 per session.
Does the University of Ibadan offer a Nursing Science degree?
Yes. UI runs a Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) programme through its College of Medicine, with clinical training delivered through University College Hospital.
What is the JAMB cut-off mark for nursing in Oyo State?
Cut-off marks vary by institution. The Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery has recently set its ND Nursing cut-off around 200, while university B.N.Sc. programmes and private institutions set their own separate cut-off marks each session.
Are private university nursing programmes in Oyo State more expensive than public options?
Yes, considerably. Private universities such as Ajayi Crowther and Lead City charge several times more than the state college or the UCH nursing school, reflecting the general difference in tuition structure between private and public tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Where can a candidate confirm the exact current fee for a specific nursing school in Oyo State?
Fee figures are updated from session to session, so the most reliable source is the specific institution’s admissions or bursary office, or its official portal, checked shortly before payment is due.