Bauchi State hosts a small but well-established cluster of nursing training institutions recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). These institutions run different categories of nursing and midwifery training, from the university-based Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) degree to hospital-based basic nursing and midwifery diploma programmes. This article lists the approved nursing institutions in Bauchi State, explains what each one offers, and breaks down what students should expect to pay in school fees.
Approved Nursing Institutions in Bauchi State
According to the NMCN’s list of approved schools of nursing and departments of nursing, Bauchi State is home to nursing training under two main institutional umbrellas, each running more than one programme:
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, which houses the College of Nursing Sciences. This includes the School of Nursing, the School of Basic Midwifery, and the Community Midwifery Programme, along with a School of Peri-operative Nursing (SOPBN).
- Aliko Dangote College of Nursing Sciences (ADCNS), Bauchi, a state government-owned institution that runs the School of Nursing, a Community Nursing Programme, the School of Midwifery, and a Community Midwifery Programme.
In addition to these two clusters, Bauchi State also has a university-level nursing option: Bauchi State University, Gadau (BASUG), now renamed Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), which runs a Nursing Science department under its Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, awarding the BNSc degree rather than the diploma-based ND/HND or basic nursing certificate that the hospital-affiliated colleges award. Together, these three institutions cover the full range of nursing training pathways available to students within the state.
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) College of Nursing Sciences
ATBUTH’s College of Nursing Sciences is one of the older and more established nursing training bodies in Bauchi State. It runs a School of Nursing offering the National Diploma (ND) programme, a School of Basic Midwifery, a Community Midwifery Programme, and Post-Basic Nursing and Midwifery programmes for candidates who already hold a basic nursing qualification and want to specialise further, including peri-operative nursing.
Admission into the ND-level programmes at ATBUTH is open to candidates with the standard five O’Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings. Candidates typically sit an entrance examination and interview conducted at the College before being admitted, and JAMB UTME registration is not always a strict requirement for the basic nursing route, though it is required for candidates seeking the university-affiliated BNSc pathway elsewhere.
School fees at ATBUTH’s College of Nursing Sciences generally fall between ₦150,000 and ₦200,000 per session, covering tuition, medical fees, caution fees, and other compulsory institutional charges. The College does not typically allow instalment payment, meaning students are expected to clear their fees in a single payment within the deadline announced by the school management, except in rare cases where the institution grants special arrangements for parents or guardians.
Aliko Dangote College of Nursing Sciences (ADCNS), Bauchi
ADCNS is a state-owned nursing training institution established through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Bauchi State Government and the Federal Government, with its enabling law passed by the Bauchi State House of Assembly in January 2011. The College began full academic operations in September 2013 and received provisional accreditation from the NMCN in October 2019.
ADCNS runs National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) Nursing programmes, Post-Basic HND Nursing, Basic Midwifery (including a Direct Entry route for candidates with relevant qualifications), and Public Health Nursing. Admission typically requires a minimum UTME score, five O’Level credits including Mathematics, English Language, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, and for post-basic programmes, full registration with the NMCN alongside a valid practising licence.
As a state-owned institution, ADCNS charges considerably lower fees than teaching hospital-run or private nursing colleges. Tuition typically runs between ₦45,000 and ₦50,000 per semester for indigenes of Bauchi State, and between ₦60,000 and ₦70,000 per semester for non-indigenes. This places ADCNS among the more budget-friendly options for nursing training within the state, particularly for candidates who qualify as Bauchi State indigenes.
Bauchi State University, Gadau (Sa’adu Zungur University) – Nursing Science (BNSc)
For candidates who want a full university degree in nursing rather than a diploma or basic certificate, Bauchi State University, Gadau, now operating under the name Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), offers a Nursing Science department under its Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences. This programme awards the Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) degree and follows the standard four to five-year university nursing curriculum recognised by the NMCN and the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Admission into Nursing Science at BASUG/SAZU requires candidates to meet the university’s departmental cut-off mark for the course, which has generally sat around 200 in recent admission cycles, reflecting the higher competitiveness of Nursing compared to many other departments at the university. Candidates need the standard five O’Level credits in relevant science subjects, including Biology and Chemistry, along with a satisfactory UTME score and performance in the university’s Post-UTME screening exercise.
School fees at BASUG/SAZU are considerably lower than what teaching hospital-based nursing colleges charge, consistent with the university’s broader reputation as one of the more affordable state universities in northern Nigeria. General undergraduate fees at the institution range roughly between ₦44,000 and ₦120,000 per session depending on the programme, with science-based departments such as Nursing typically attracting fees toward the higher end of this range because of laboratory and practical charges. An acceptance fee of about ₦2,500 for indigenes and ₦5,000 for non-indigenes applies separately once admission is confirmed.
Fee Comparison Across Approved Nursing Institutions in Bauchi State
The table below summarises the fee range and programme type across the three main nursing training routes available in Bauchi State, to give prospective students a quick side-by-side reference:
| Institution | Programme Type | Approximate Fees (per session) |
|---|---|---|
| ATBUTH College of Nursing Sciences | ND Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Post-Basic Nursing | ₦150,000 – ₦200,000 |
| Aliko Dangote College of Nursing Sciences (ADCNS) | ND/HND Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Public Health Nursing | ₦90,000 – ₦140,000 (₦45,000–₦70,000 per semester) |
| Bauchi State University / Sa’adu Zungur University (BASUG/SAZU) | BNSc Nursing Science (degree) | ₦60,000 – ₦120,000 |
These figures reflect tuition and core compulsory charges only. Actual totals vary from year to year and by student category (indigene versus non-indigene), so candidates should always confirm the exact figure directly from each institution’s admissions office or official portal before making payment.
Additional Costs Beyond Tuition
Regardless of which nursing institution in Bauchi State a candidate chooses, a few additional charges typically apply outside the core tuition fee:
- Acceptance fee: A one-time payment made after admission is confirmed, ranging from a few thousand naira at state-owned institutions to a higher figure at teaching hospital colleges.
- Uniform and clinical kit: Nursing students are required to purchase approved uniforms, aprons, and basic clinical equipment such as stethoscopes and thermometers, which are not usually included in the published school fee.
- Hostel accommodation: On-campus or hospital-provided hostel accommodation is billed separately and varies depending on the institution and room type.
- Caution fee and medical fee: Many nursing institutions, particularly those affiliated with teaching hospitals, include a refundable caution deposit and a compulsory medical screening fee as part of the fresher’s payment schedule.
- NMCN registration and licensing fees: These apply later in a student’s training, typically before final professional examinations, and are separate from the school’s own tuition schedule.
Admission Requirements Common to Nursing Programmes in Bauchi State
While each institution sets its own specific entry requirements, certain conditions apply broadly across nursing programmes in Bauchi State. Candidates generally need five O’Level credit passes, obtained in not more than two sittings, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. For the university-based BNSc route at BASUG/SAZU, candidates must register the correct UTME subject combination and meet the departmental cut-off mark before proceeding to Post-UTME screening. For diploma and basic nursing routes at ATBUTH and ADCNS, candidates typically sit an institution-conducted entrance examination and interview rather than relying solely on a UTME score, although a minimum UTME benchmark is still required at some of these colleges as part of the eligibility criteria.
Direct Entry admission is also available at both ATBUTH and ADCNS for candidates who already hold a relevant qualification, such as an ND in a related field, allowing entry into a more advanced stage of the nursing or midwifery programme without repeating foundational coursework.
FAQs
How many approved nursing schools are there in Bauchi State?
Bauchi State has three main approved nursing training routes: the College of Nursing Sciences at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), the Aliko Dangote College of Nursing Sciences (ADCNS), and the university-based Nursing Science (BNSc) department at Bauchi State University, Gadau, now Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU).
Which nursing school in Bauchi State has the lowest fees?
Aliko Dangote College of Nursing Sciences and Bauchi State University/SAZU generally charge lower fees than ATBUTH’s College of Nursing Sciences, particularly for candidates who qualify as indigenes of Bauchi State.
Do I need JAMB to study nursing at ATBUTH or ADCNS?
Basic nursing and midwifery programmes at ATBUTH and ADCNS are typically entered through an institution-conducted entrance examination and interview rather than JAMB alone, though a minimum UTME score may still apply at some of these colleges. The BNSc degree route at Bauchi State University/SAZU requires standard UTME registration and Post-UTME screening.
What is the difference between the BNSc route and the diploma/basic nursing route in Bauchi State?
The BNSc route at Bauchi State University/SAZU is a full university degree programme regulated jointly by the NUC and NMCN, while the ND/HND and basic nursing programmes at ATBUTH and ADCNS are diploma-level or certificate-level training regulated primarily by the NMCN and, for ND/HND, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Are these fees the same every year?
No. Nursing school fees in Bauchi State, like most Nigerian tertiary institutions, are subject to periodic review by each institution’s management. Candidates should always confirm the current fee schedule directly from the specific institution’s admissions office or official portal before making any payment.