Katsina State has a small but well-defined set of nursing and midwifery training institutions recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). This article lists the approved nursing programmes available in the state, explains the entry routes into each, and gives a realistic budget picture of what a student pays for the 2026/2027 academic session.
What “Approved” Means for a Nursing School in Nigeria
Any institution offering Nursing, Midwifery, or Post Basic Nursing training in Nigeria must first receive accreditation from the NMCN before its graduates can sit the professional licensing examination and be registered as qualified nurses. The council reviews these institutions periodically and assigns them either full accreditation, which lasts five years, or provisional accreditation, which lasts two years. Where a school fails to meet the required standard, the council places an embargo on new student intake until the identified deficiencies are corrected and a fresh resource verification visit is conducted. Because of this, a prospective student in Katsina State should always confirm that the specific programme and campus they intend to apply to currently holds valid NMCN accreditation for that particular session, since accreditation status can change between admission cycles.
Approved Nursing and Midwifery Institutions in Katsina State
The main NMCN-recognised nursing training structure in Katsina State runs under the Katsina State College of Nursing and Midwifery, commonly referred to by its acronym CONAMKAT. The college operates through satellite campuses rather than a single central location, and each satellite campus is approved to run specific programmes.
| Institution/Campus | Location | Programmes Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Kasimu Kofar Bai College of Nursing Sciences | Katsina town | Basic (General) Nursing, Community Nursing, ND/HND Nursing Science, Post Basic Public Health Nursing |
| Nana Babajo College of Nursing Sciences | Malumfashi | Basic Midwifery, Community Midwifery, ND Nursing (satellite intake) |
| Cherish College of Nursing Sciences | Batsari | Basic Nursing programme (privately-run, NMCN-listed institution in the state) |
Beyond these dedicated nursing colleges, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), the state-owned university in Katsina, also runs an academic Nursing Science degree programme (BNSc) at the university level, which is a separate pathway from the diploma-level Basic Nursing and ND Nursing programmes run at the nursing colleges. A candidate interested in nursing in Katsina State therefore has two broad pathways to choose from: the diploma/certificate route through CONAMKAT and its satellite campuses, or the degree route through UMYU’s Faculty of Health Sciences.
Programmes Offered and Their Entry Requirements
Each nursing-related programme available in Katsina State carries its own entry requirement, subject combination, and duration. The table below breaks this down clearly.
| Programme | Duration | O’Level Requirement | Entry Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic (General) Nursing | 3 years | Five credits including English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, in not more than two sittings | Post-UTME/interview via JAMB, minimum UTME score currently around 140–160 |
| Community Nursing | 2 years (4 semesters) | Four credits including English, Mathematics, Biology, and one of Chemistry or Physics | Interview/screening |
| Basic Midwifery | 3 years | Five credits including English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics | Post-UTME/interview, restricted mainly to registered nurses or qualifying candidates depending on the stream |
| ND/HND Nursing Science | 2 years each (ND then HND) | Five credits including English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics | Post-UTME via JAMB |
| Post Basic Public Health Nursing | Varies, typically 1–2 years | Registered Nurse/Midwife qualification required before entry | Direct application to the college |
| BNSc Nursing Science (UMYU) | 5 years | Five credits including English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics | UTME/Direct Entry through the university’s standard admission process |
Candidates applying for the diploma-level Basic Nursing or ND Nursing programme at CONAMKAT must select the college as their first choice institution in JAMB, meet the minimum UTME cut-off mark set for that session, and upload their SSCE result on the JAMB portal before they can be invited for the Post-UTME screening or interview exercise.
School Fees for Nursing Programmes in Katsina State
Nursing school fees in Katsina State follow the general pattern seen across state-government-owned nursing colleges in Nigeria: they are considerably lower than what obtains at federal teaching hospital nursing schools or private universities, because the state government subsidises a large portion of the running cost. Based on the fee pattern typical of comparable state-owned nursing colleges in the region, a student should budget along the following lines.
| Institution/Programme | Estimated School Fees (Per Session) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CONAMKAT Basic Nursing/ND Nursing (state-owned) | ₦60,000 – ₦120,000 | Fresh students pay more due to acceptance and registration charges; indigenes of Katsina State often pay less than non-indigenes |
| CONAMKAT Community Nursing/Basic Midwifery | ₦50,000 – ₦100,000 | Slightly lower than the general Basic Nursing programme in most state colleges |
| Cherish College of Nursing Sciences, Batsari | ₦100,000 – ₦180,000 | Privately-run institutions typically charge more than state-government colleges |
| UMYU BNSc Nursing Science (degree route) | ₦45,000 – ₦75,000 | State university tuition for indigenes is generally lower than diploma-level nursing college fees, in line with UMYU’s broader tuition structure |
These figures are working estimates rather than fixed amounts, since state-owned institutions periodically review their fee schedules, and the exact figure a candidate pays also depends on whether they are indigenes of Katsina State or non-indigenes, given that many state-government institutions charge a higher rate to candidates from outside the state. Candidates should always confirm the exact current figure directly from the college’s admission office or student portal once admission is offered, rather than relying solely on a previously published amount.
Additional Costs Beyond Tuition
Tuition is only one part of what a nursing student in Katsina State budgets for. Other charges that typically apply, particularly to fresh students, include:
- Application/screening form fee, which for CONAMKAT programmes is set at ₦2,500 per application, excluding bank charges.
- Acceptance fee, a one-off payment made once admission is confirmed, to secure the offered slot.
- Uniform and clinical kit costs, since nursing and midwifery students are required to purchase specific uniforms, aprons, and basic clinical instruments as part of their practical training.
- Hostel accommodation, where available, which is usually billed separately from tuition.
- Clinical posting and practical fees, covering supervised ward and community postings that form a core part of nursing training.
- Examination and registration fees, including charges tied to indexing with the NMCN ahead of the professional licensing examination.
A student should treat these additional charges as a necessary part of the total cost of training, since a nursing programme cannot be completed without them, regardless of how low the base tuition figure appears.
Choosing Between the Diploma Route and the Degree Route
A candidate deciding between CONAMKAT’s diploma-level Basic Nursing/ND Nursing programme and UMYU’s BNSc Nursing Science degree should weigh a few practical differences. The diploma route is shorter, generally more affordable per session, and leads to registration as a Registered Nurse after passing the NMCN licensing examination, but it does not automatically confer a university degree. The BNSc degree route takes longer, awards a full university degree alongside eligibility for nursing registration, and can open up a wider range of postgraduate and career progression options within and outside clinical nursing. Neither route is inherently superior; the right choice depends on a candidate’s academic qualification, financial capacity, and long-term career goals within the nursing profession.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which institutions offer NMCN-approved nursing programmes in Katsina State?
The Katsina State College of Nursing and Midwifery (CONAMKAT), through its Kasimu Kofar Bai and Nana Babajo satellite campuses, Cherish College of Nursing Sciences in Batsari, and the BNSc Nursing Science programme at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University all offer NMCN-recognised nursing or midwifery training in the state.
What is the minimum UTME score needed for nursing admission in Katsina State?
For CONAMKAT’s ND Nursing programme, the minimum cut-off mark has recently ranged between 140 and 160, depending on the admission session, while UMYU’s BNSc Nursing Science programme follows the university’s general and departmental cut-off requirements.
Is nursing school in Katsina State cheaper for state indigenes?
Yes. Most state-government-owned nursing institutions, including CONAMKAT, typically charge a lower fee to Katsina State indigenes compared to candidates from other states.
Can a Community Health Officer or Community Nurse upgrade to Registered Nurse status in Katsina State?
Yes, subject to meeting the required O’Level and entry conditions; qualifying candidates can proceed into the standard Basic Nursing programme to become fully Registered Nurses.
Does completing a diploma nursing programme in Katsina State qualify a graduate to practise as a nurse?
Yes, provided the graduate passes the NMCN licensing examination and becomes duly registered with the council, which is a mandatory step regardless of which approved institution the training was completed at.