Kano State hosts one of the largest clusters of nursing training institutions in northern Nigeria. Candidates who want to study nursing or midwifery in the state have several options, ranging from state-government colleges to a federal teaching hospital school and a number of private institutions. This article lists the schools that hold approval from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), explains the type of programmes each one runs, and sets out what students should expect to pay for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Nursing school fees in Nigeria change from one session to another, and each institution reviews its charges independently. The figures given below reflect the most recent published rates and typical ranges for similar institutions. Applicants should always confirm the exact current amount with the school’s admissions office or official portal before making any payment, since colleges reserve the right to adjust fees at any time.
Types of Nursing Programmes Available in Kano State
Before looking at individual schools, it helps to understand that “nursing school” in Kano State does not refer to one single kind of programme. Institutions in the state run different tracks, and the one a candidate qualifies for depends on their O’Level results, UTME score, and whether they already hold a nursing qualification.
- Basic Nursing Programme (Registered Nurse, RN): A three-year diploma-type programme that leads to registration as a nurse with the NMCN. This is the most common entry route for fresh secondary school leavers.
- Basic Midwifery Programme: Trains candidates specifically as midwives, also over roughly three years.
- National Diploma (ND) in Nursing: Offered by NBTE-regulated colleges, usually completed in two years before progressing to a Higher National Diploma (HND) or degree conversion.
- Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc): A five-year university degree programme that combines the RN qualification with a full university education.
- Post-Basic Nursing Programmes: Specialised one-year or eighteen-month courses (such as Peri-operative, Paediatric, Nephrology, or Critical Care Nursing) open only to candidates who are already Registered Nurses.
- Community Health/Community Nursing Programmes: Shorter, targeted courses focused on primary healthcare delivery.
Fees differ across these categories because the duration, clinical exposure, and accreditation body attached to each programme are not the same.
List of NMCN-Approved Nursing Institutions in Kano State
The table below groups the main approved institutions by ownership type. All are recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, though candidates should still verify current accreditation status on the NMCN portal before applying, since approvals are periodically renewed.
| Institution | Ownership | Main Programme(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Kano State College of Nursing Sciences (Kano, Madobi, Dambatta and Gwarzo campuses) | State government | Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, ND Nursing, Community Nursing |
| Department of Nursing Science, Bayero University Kano (BUK) | Federal university | BNSc (5-year degree) |
| College of Nursing Sciences, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) | Federal teaching hospital | Post-Basic Nursing specialties |
| Aminu Dabo College of Nursing Sciences | State-affiliated/private | Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery |
| Sudawa College of Nursing Sciences | Private | Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery |
| Hamdala College of Nursing Science | Private (teaching hospital-affiliated) | Basic Nursing |
| Dansharif College of Nursing Sciences | Private | Basic Midwifery, Basic Nursing |
| Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria | Private university | BNSc (degree programme) |
Each of these schools requires candidates to sit for the UTME (where applicable) and meet a minimum of five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings.
School Fees Breakdown by Institution
Kano State College of Nursing Sciences (Kano, Madobi, Dambatta, Gwarzo)
This is the oldest and largest nursing training body in the state, tracing its origins back to 1948. It runs four campuses under one administration, and each campus admits students into either the Basic Nursing Programme, Basic Midwifery Programme, ND Nursing, or Community Nursing, depending on the session’s approved intake. As a state-owned institution, its tuition is generally lower than what private colleges charge, though students still pay for accreditation, clinical posting, uniforms, ID cards, and other compulsory charges alongside tuition. Because the college reviews its fee schedule from time to time and does not always publish a single unified figure across all four campuses, admitted candidates should obtain the exact current breakdown directly from the school’s finance office or official portal (conskano.edu.ng) once admission is confirmed for the 2026/2027 session.
Bayero University Kano (BUK) – Department of Nursing Science
BUK’s BNSc programme is a five-year degree and one of the most sought-after nursing programmes in the north, with a UTME cut-off mark typically set around 220 to 250, depending on the session. Nigerian students at BUK do not pay tuition in the conventional sense, since public universities charge government-approved fees rather than commercial tuition, but nursing students still pay departmental charges that cover laboratory use, clinical postings at AKTH, practicals, and general registration.
| Fee Component | Approximate Range (2025/2026 – 2026/2027) |
|---|---|
| General registration and consolidated charges (fresh students) | ₦97,000 – ₦171,300 |
| Departmental/clinical charges specific to Nursing Science | Additional charges apply on top of the general fee |
| Overall session cost commonly cited for Nursing students | ₦150,000 – ₦200,000 |
| Hostel accommodation (on-campus) | ₦37,590 – ₦300,180 depending on hall and level |
Students who cannot secure a hostel space typically pay between ₦70,000 and ₦150,000 per session for off-campus accommodation, which is not part of the official school fee.
College of Nursing Sciences, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH)
AKTH’s College of Nursing Sciences focuses on Post-Basic Nursing programmes such as Peri-operative Nursing, Paediatric Nursing, Nephrology Nursing, and Critical Care Nursing. These programmes are open only to candidates who already hold a Registered Nurse licence and at least one year of post-qualification clinical experience. The application form for the 2026/2027 admission cycle costs ₦11,000. Because these are specialised, hospital-based postgraduate diploma-type courses, the full tuition and clinical training charges are set separately from the application fee and are communicated to candidates after they scale the entrance screening. Prospective applicants should check akthschools.com for the confirmed tuition schedule once admission opens.
Private Nursing Colleges in Kano State
Private institutions generally charge more than state-owned colleges because they do not receive government subvention and must cover facility costs independently.
| Institution | Typical Session Fee Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hamdala College of Nursing Science | ₦150,000 – ₦200,000 | Excludes acceptance fee, medical fee, caution fee, and uniform costs; hostel adds roughly ₦100,000 |
| Sudawa College of Nursing Sciences | Comparable to other private colleges in the state | Fee schedule released after admission; confirm with the school directly |
| Dansharif College of Nursing Sciences | Comparable to other private colleges in the state | Emphasises affordability relative to some private peers; confirm current schedule with the college |
| Aminu Dabo College of Nursing Sciences | Comparable to other private/state-affiliated colleges | Runs online application; check adcons.admissions.cloud for current charges |
As a general pattern across Nigerian private nursing colleges, total first-session costs (tuition plus compulsory charges, excluding hostel) commonly fall between ₦150,000 and ₦250,000, though this varies by institution and should not be treated as a fixed figure for any single school.
Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria
This is a private university offering a BNSc degree. As with most private universities in Nigeria, tuition for a five-year nursing degree here is significantly higher than at public universities such as BUK, often running into the millions of naira across the full programme when clinical training and accreditation charges are included. Candidates should request the official, itemised fee schedule from the university’s admissions office before applying, since private university fees are reviewed frequently and are rarely uniform across intakes.
Factors That Affect Nursing School Fees in Kano State
Several elements explain why fees differ so much even within the same state:
- Ownership type – State and federal institutions charge lower tuition than private colleges because government subvention covers part of the running cost.
- Programme level – A five-year BNSc degree costs more overall than a three-year Basic Nursing diploma, even though the diploma may have a higher per-session rate in some private schools.
- Clinical training arrangement – Schools attached directly to a teaching hospital, such as AKTH, often include hospital-based clinical charges that stand-alone colleges do not.
- Accommodation – Hostel fees are usually billed separately from tuition and vary by hall, gender, and whether the room is shared or self-contained.
- Additional compulsory charges – Acceptance fees, caution deposits, medical screening, uniform costs, ID cards, and departmental dues are added on top of the base tuition figure at almost every institution.
How to Apply for Nursing Programmes in Kano State
- Sit for UTME and select a nursing-related institution or track as your first choice, where the programme requires JAMB registration.
- Obtain the school’s Post-UTME or entrance examination form once released, usually between June and August for the coming session.
- Meet the minimum O’Level requirement of five credits, including English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, in not more than two sittings.
- Sit for the school’s screening exercise or entrance examination, where applicable.
- Pay the acceptance fee promptly after an admission offer, then proceed to pay tuition and other compulsory charges before the resumption date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the cheapest nursing school to attend in Kano State?
State-owned institutions, particularly the Kano State College of Nursing Sciences across its four campuses, generally charge less than private colleges and private universities.
Do all nursing schools in Kano State require UTME?
Most degree and diploma programmes require UTME registration, but some post-basic and community nursing programmes admit only already-qualified nurses through a direct entrance examination instead.
Is BUK’s nursing programme free for Nigerian students?
Nigerian students at BUK do not pay tuition in the way private schools charge, but they still pay consolidated registration, departmental, and clinical charges that add up to a meaningful cost each session.
Can I switch from a Basic Nursing diploma to a BNSc degree later?
Yes. Registered Nurses can pursue a Basic Nursing to BNSc conversion programme at universities that offer it, including BUK, subject to that university’s entry requirements for the conversion track.
How often do nursing school fees change in Kano State?
Fees are reviewed periodically rather than on a fixed annual schedule. Some schools keep the same tuition for two or more sessions before adjusting it, so candidates should always check the current figure before the session they intend to apply for.