Rivers State, with Port Harcourt as its capital, is one of the major centres for nursing and midwifery training in the South-South region of Nigeria. The state hosts federal, state, and university-affiliated nursing institutions, all regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). This article covers the approved nursing schools in Rivers State, what each one offers, and the school fees a prospective student should expect to budget for.
Why Accreditation Status Matters
Before applying to any nursing institution, a candidate needs to confirm that the school holds current accreditation from the NMCN. Accreditation in Nigeria’s nursing system is not permanent; it is either full, lasting five years, or provisional, lasting two years, and a school under embargo cannot admit new students until it corrects the deficiencies that triggered the embargo. A graduate of an unaccredited program cannot sit for the NMCN licensing examination, which is the qualifying step to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Midwife (RM) in Nigeria. Because accreditation status and admission quotas change periodically, candidates should verify a school’s current standing directly with the NMCN or the institution’s admissions office before paying any fees.
List of Approved Nursing Schools in Rivers State
The following institutions in Rivers State are recognized by the NMCN to run nursing and midwifery training programs.
1. College of Nursing Sciences, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH)
This is one of the most established nursing training centres in the state, operating under the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. It runs a three-year Basic Nursing program leading to Registered Nurse (RN) certification, along with National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programs. Students benefit from direct clinical exposure within UPTH, one of the largest teaching hospitals in the South-South region. UPTH also runs post-basic specialty programs, including a School of Post Basic Accident and Emergency Nursing and a School of Post Basic Paediatric Nursing, both of which carry full NMCN accreditation and require candidates to already hold an RN qualification.
2. School of Nursing, Port Harcourt (Rivers State School of Nursing)
This is a state government-owned institution that offers Basic Nursing training to indigenes of Rivers State and candidates from other states. It maintains partnerships with several healthcare facilities across Port Harcourt for clinical placements and is a more affordable option compared to federal or private alternatives, particularly for candidates who are indigenes of the state.
3. School of Post Basic Midwifery, Port Harcourt
Operating alongside the general School of Nursing in Port Harcourt, this institution focuses specifically on post-basic midwifery training for candidates who already hold an RN qualification and want to specialize further in maternal and child health services.
4. Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology (RIVCOHSMAT)
Located in Port Harcourt, this state-owned college runs several health-related schools under one institution, including a School of Nursing, a School of Midwifery, and a School of Public Health Nursing. It also offers other allied health programs, such as Biomedical Engineering Technology. Diploma programs at RIVCOHSMAT generally require a JAMB score in addition to the college’s own entrance requirements, while certificate-level programs require a passing score in the college’s own entrance examination.
5. Department of Nursing Sciences, University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)
UNIPORT runs a full Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc.) degree program under its Faculty of Clinical Sciences. This is a five-year university degree, distinct from the three-year diploma-style Basic Nursing programs offered by the colleges above, and it gives graduates a foundation for postgraduate study as well as broader career opportunities in nursing education, research, and administration. Admission requires UTME registration and meeting the university’s departmental cut-off mark, alongside the standard O’Level requirements.
6. Department of Nursing Science, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt
PAMO University of Medical Sciences is a state-owned university dedicated specifically to medical and health sciences training. Its Department of Nursing Science holds full NMCN accreditation and runs a degree-level nursing program with a defined admission quota, giving candidates another university-based pathway into the profession within Rivers State.
7. Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Madonna University, Elele
Madonna University, a private institution with its main health sciences campus in Elele, Rivers State, runs a Faculty of Nursing Sciences offering a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree. As a private university, it offers an alternative route for candidates who may not have secured admission into the state or federal nursing institutions, though its fees are considerably higher than the public options.
8. Department of Nursing Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt
Rivers State University also runs a Department of Nursing Sciences, offering a degree-level nursing program under state government ownership. This gives candidates another state-affiliated university option alongside the diploma-style colleges listed above.
School Fees for Nursing Programs in Rivers State
School fees for nursing training in Rivers State depend on the type of institution (state, federal-teaching-hospital-affiliated, university, or private), the specific program level (certificate, diploma, or degree), and whether the applicant is an indigene of Rivers State. The table below gives a general breakdown by institution category.
| Institution Type | Examples | Estimated Fee Range (Per Session) |
|---|---|---|
| State-owned Schools of Nursing (indigene) | School of Nursing Port Harcourt, RIVCOHSMAT | ₦120,000 – ₦220,000 |
| State-owned Schools of Nursing (non-indigene) | School of Nursing Port Harcourt, RIVCOHSMAT | ₦180,000 – ₦300,000 |
| Teaching Hospital Colleges (ND/HND) | UPTH College of Nursing Sciences | ₦150,000 – ₦280,000 |
| Federal/State University Degree Programs | UNIPORT, Rivers State University, PAMO University | ₦80,000 – ₦200,000 (tuition-related charges; excludes accommodation) |
| Private University Degree Program | Madonna University, Elele | ₦400,000 – ₦800,000 |
| Post-Basic Specialty Programs | UPTH Post Basic Accident & Emergency, Post Basic Paediatric | ₦150,000 – ₦300,000 |
These figures are general estimates based on typical fee patterns for nursing institutions of each category in Nigeria. Individual schools review their fee structures periodically, so a candidate preparing to apply should always request the current fee schedule directly from the school’s admissions or bursary office before making any payment.
What the School Fees Usually Cover
Nursing school fees in Rivers State typically cover tuition, library access, laboratory and clinical practice charges, and examination fees. However, several charges are usually billed separately from the base tuition figure, including:
- Application and screening or entrance examination fees, paid before admission is confirmed
- Acceptance fees, paid once a candidate receives an admission offer
- Uniform and clinical kit costs, covering nursing uniforms, aprons, and basic practical equipment
- Hostel accommodation, where the school offers on-campus housing
- NMCN registration and licensing examination fees, paid at specific stages closer to graduation
Because of these additional charges, the actual amount a fresh nursing student pays in their first year is generally higher than the tuition figure alone. Candidates should request a complete breakdown of all charges before making any payment.
Admission Requirements Common to Nursing Schools in Rivers State
While each institution sets its own specific cut-off marks and screening procedures, most nursing schools in Rivers State share similar baseline requirements. A candidate generally needs:
- A minimum of five credit passes in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry or Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- A minimum age requirement, typically 16 to 17 years and above, at the point of admission.
- For university-based B.NSc. programs, such as those at UNIPORT, Rivers State University, or PAMO University, a UTME registration with the institution as the first choice and a score that meets the departmental cut-off mark.
- For diploma or certificate-based colleges, such as RIVCOHSMAT or the state School of Nursing, a passing score in the college’s own entrance examination, followed by an oral interview.
- Payment of the acceptance fee within the stipulated deadline once admission is confirmed.
Choosing Between a Diploma-Level School and a University Nursing Program
Prospective nursing students in Rivers State often have to choose between the diploma-style Schools of Nursing (which lead directly to RN/RM certification in three years) and the degree-level B.NSc. programs offered by UNIPORT, Rivers State University, PAMO University, or Madonna University. The diploma route gets a student into clinical practice faster and generally costs less in the public institutions, while the degree route takes five years but opens up a wider range of career paths, including opportunities in nursing education, research, and healthcare administration. The right choice depends on a candidate’s career goals, timeline, and financial capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all these nursing schools officially recognized to award RN and RM certificates?
Yes, all the institutions listed above appear on the NMCN’s approved list for Rivers State, meaning their graduates are eligible to sit for the NMCN licensing examination, provided the school maintains its accreditation status at the time of the student’s graduation.
Do Rivers State indigenes pay less than non-indigenes at state-owned nursing schools?
Yes. State-owned nursing institutions, such as the School of Nursing, Port Harcourt and RIVCOHSMAT, typically charge lower fees to candidates who are indigenes of Rivers State compared to candidates from other states.
Can a candidate gain admission into a university nursing program in Rivers State without UTME?
No. Degree-level nursing programs, such as those at UNIPORT, Rivers State University, and PAMO University, require UTME registration with the institution as the first choice, along with meeting the departmental cut-off mark, since these are full university degree programs.
What other costs should a nursing student in Rivers State budget for besides tuition?
Beyond tuition, students should budget for acceptance fees, uniforms and clinical kits, hostel accommodation where applicable, textbooks, and NMCN registration or examination fees at different stages of the program.
Are post-basic nursing programs in Rivers State open to fresh nursing candidates?
No. Post-basic programs, such as those offered by UPTH in Accident and Emergency Nursing or Paediatric Nursing, are specialization courses that require candidates to already hold a Registered Nurse (RN) qualification before applying.