Many prospective students search for medical courses at Sokoto State University because they assume the university runs programs such as Medicine and Surgery, Nursing, or Pharmacy. This is not accurate. Sokoto State University (SSU), established in 2009, currently operates five faculties: Management and Social Sciences, Education, Computing, Science, and Arts and Humanities. It does not have a Faculty of Medicine, a College of Health Sciences, or any accredited medical, nursing, or pharmacy program. This article clarifies exactly what Sokoto State University offers, identifies where medical courses are actually available within Sokoto State, and breaks down the school fees for those genuine medical training options.
Does Sokoto State University Offer Medical Courses?
No. Sokoto State University does not run Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Medical Laboratory Science, or any other clinical health program. A candidate who selects Sokoto State University on their UTME form expecting to study Medicine or a related health course will not find that option on the university’s approved list of departments. SSU’s Faculty of Science offers science-related departments such as Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science, but none of these lead to a professional medical qualification or licensure by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) or the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). Students interested in the biological or laboratory sciences at SSU can still build a foundation for further postgraduate specialization, but this is different from a direct medical training pathway.
Where Medical Courses Are Actually Offered in Sokoto State
Since Sokoto State University does not provide medical training, candidates who want to study Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, or related health courses within Sokoto State should look at the following institutions instead.
Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS/UDUSOK)
This is a federal university, distinct from Sokoto State University, and it is the primary institution offering full medical training in Sokoto State. Its College of Health Sciences was established in the late 1970s and has held continuous accreditation from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria since the 1980s, with the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program reaccredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The College of Health Sciences at UDUS covers Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Clinical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Dental Sciences, and Allied Health Sciences. Beyond Medicine and Surgery, UDUS also runs Pharmacy under its Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, as well as a Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc.) program. Admission into the MBBS program at UDUS is highly competitive and requires a strong UTME score, excellent results in relevant O’Level subjects (English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics), and success in the university’s post-UTME screening exercise.
Sokoto State College of Nursing Sciences (CONSSOKOTO)
This is a state government-owned institution, separate from both Sokoto State University and UDUS, that trains students for Basic Nursing (RN) and Basic Midwifery (RM) certification. It is accredited by the NMCN and offers a three-year diploma-style program rather than a university degree. Fees here are considerably lower than at federal or private institutions, particularly for candidates who are indigenes of Sokoto State.
College of Nursing Sciences, Tambuwal
Also state-owned, this institution offers similar Basic Nursing and Midwifery training to students within Sokoto State, providing an additional option outside the state capital for candidates seeking NMCN-accredited nursing certification.
North-West University, Sokoto
This is a private university that also runs a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree program, giving candidates a fourth pathway into professional nursing training within the state, alongside the federal, state, and other private options.
School Fees for Medical and Health-Related Courses in Sokoto State
Because these institutions differ in ownership (federal, state, and private), their fee structures vary significantly. The table below summarizes the general fee ranges for medical and health-related training across the genuine institutions in Sokoto State, based on standard patterns for each ownership category.
| Institution | Program | Ownership | Estimated Fee Range (Per Session) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS) | MBBS (Medicine and Surgery) | Federal | ₦45,000 – ₦150,000 (tuition-related charges; excludes accommodation and clinical/practical levies) |
| Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS) | Pharmacy (B.Pharm) | Federal | ₦45,000 – ₦120,000 |
| Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS) | Nursing (B.NSc.) | Federal | ₦45,000 – ₦100,000 |
| Sokoto State College of Nursing Sciences (CONSSOKOTO) | Basic Nursing / Midwifery (RN/RM) | State | ₦80,000 – ₦180,000, depending on indigene status |
| College of Nursing Sciences, Tambuwal | Basic Nursing / Midwifery (RN/RM) | State | ₦80,000 – ₦180,000, depending on indigene status |
| North-West University, Sokoto | Nursing (B.NSc.) | Private | ₦400,000 – ₦800,000 |
These figures reflect standard fee ranges based on institution type and are not fixed, official figures for any specific academic session. Federal universities such as UDUS typically maintain lower base tuition because they receive government subvention, though medical students should expect additional charges for laboratory use, clinical postings, and departmental levies that are billed separately from the base tuition shown above. State colleges of nursing set indigene fees considerably lower than non-indigene fees, and private universities charge the highest fees since they operate without government subsidy.
Why the Confusion Between Sokoto State University and UDUS Happens
The confusion between Sokoto State University and Usmanu Danfodiyo University is common because both institutions are located in Sokoto and both have “Sokoto” in informal references to their names. However, they are entirely separate institutions with different governing bodies, different founding histories, and different course offerings. Sokoto State University is owned and funded by the Sokoto State Government and was established in 2009 with a focus on management, education, computing, science, and the arts. Usmanu Danfodiyo University is owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria, was established in 1975, and carries a much broader academic structure that includes Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Law, Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, and Engineering, among other disciplines. A candidate who wants to study a medical course must apply directly to UDUS, not SSU, since selecting Sokoto State University on a UTME form will never lead to admission into a medical program.
Admission Requirements for Medical Courses at UDUS
Candidates aiming for Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, or Nursing at Usmanu Danfodiyo University need to meet the following baseline requirements:
- A minimum of five credit passes in relevant O’Level subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings of WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination.
- A competitive UTME score, since Medicine and Surgery consistently carries one of the highest cut-off marks among all courses offered at UDUS.
- Selection of Usmanu Danfodiyo University as the first choice institution on the UTME registration.
- Successful completion of the university’s post-UTME screening exercise, which typically includes a computer-based test.
- For Direct Entry candidates, relevant A-Level results or a related science-based diploma that meets the departmental requirement.
Nursing and Pharmacy programs at UDUS follow a similar admission process, though their cut-off marks are usually lower than that of Medicine and Surgery, reflecting the differing levels of competition across departments.
What Nursing Diploma Fees at State Colleges Typically Cover
For candidates who choose the state-owned nursing colleges (CONSSOKOTO or Tambuwal) instead of a full university medical program, it helps to understand what the quoted fees usually include. School fees at these colleges generally cover tuition, library access, and basic laboratory use, while the following charges are billed separately:
- Application and screening fees paid at the point of purchasing the admission form
- Acceptance fees paid once admission is confirmed
- Uniform and clinical kit costs for practical training sessions
- Hostel accommodation, where the student opts to live on campus
- NMCN registration and licensing examination fees paid closer to graduation
Because of these additional charges, the total first-year cost for a nursing student at a state college is usually higher than the base tuition figure alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sokoto State University have a Faculty of Medicine?
No. Sokoto State University does not have a Faculty of Medicine, a College of Health Sciences, or any accredited medical, nursing, or pharmacy program. Its faculties are limited to Management and Social Sciences, Education, Computing, Science, and Arts and Humanities.
Which university in Sokoto State offers Medicine and Surgery (MBBS)?
Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), a federal university separate from Sokoto State University, offers the MBBS program through its College of Health Sciences.
Are Sokoto State University and Usmanu Danfodiyo University the same institution?
No. They are two distinct universities with different owners. Sokoto State University is state-owned and was founded in 2009, while Usmanu Danfodiyo University is federally owned and was founded in 1975.
Can a candidate switch their UTME choice from Sokoto State University to UDUS if they want to study Medicine?
Yes, provided the change of institution is done within the official JAMB change of institution window and the candidate meets UDUS’s specific requirements and cut-off mark for the desired course.
Is it cheaper to study Nursing at a state college of nursing than at a university?
Generally, yes. Diploma-style nursing programs at state colleges of nursing, such as CONSSOKOTO, usually charge lower fees than university-based Bachelor of Nursing Science programs, particularly for candidates who are indigenes of Sokoto State.