Kogi State hosts a mix of state-owned, federal, private, and mission-run institutions that train students for careers in nursing, midwifery, and related health specialties. Each of these institutions holds approval from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), the body responsible for licensing nurses and midwives in the country, and several also carry additional accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) or the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), depending on whether the programme is a diploma or a full degree. This article lists every NMCN-approved nursing training institution currently operating in Kogi State, explains what each one offers, and sets out the fee range a student should budget for at each.
Regulatory Bodies Governing Nursing Education in Kogi State
Three separate regulatory bodies oversee nursing training in Kogi State, and understanding their roles helps explain why fees and programme structures differ across institutions:
- NMCN licenses and accredits every nursing and midwifery training programme in Nigeria, regardless of whether it runs at a stand-alone college or inside a university. No graduate can sit the professional licensing examination or register as a nurse without training at an NMCN-approved school.
- NUC regulates university-level degree programmes, which applies to institutions offering the five-year Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.).
- NBTE regulates polytechnic-style National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes, which applies to several of the stand-alone nursing colleges in the state.
A student choosing between a diploma-route college and a degree-route university in Kogi State is essentially choosing between two different regulatory pathways, and this choice has a direct effect on programme length, certification, and cost.
Full List of NMCN-Approved Nursing Institutions in Kogi State
Kogi State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Obangede
This is the state government’s flagship nursing training institution and the oldest of its kind in Kogi State. It runs National Diploma Nursing, Basic Midwifery, and Post-Basic Nursing programmes, and has recently added an HND Nursing track after securing NBTE approval. Admission into the HND track now goes through JAMB, while some diploma-level intakes still combine an internal entrance exam with JAMB in certain years. As a state-funded institution, it charges considerably less than most of the state’s private colleges.
College of Nursing Sciences, University Education Centre, Ochadamu
Located in Ochadamu in the eastern part of Kogi State, this college gives students in that part of the state a more accessible option than travelling to Obangede or Lokoja. It runs a National Diploma Nursing programme leading to Registered Nurse (RN) status and holds NMCN recognition.
Nana College of Nursing Sciences, Ayingba
This privately owned college in Ayingba stands out for running three separate NMCN-accredited programmes: Nursing, Midwifery, and Dental-Oral Health Nursing. The dental-oral health specialty is unusual in Kogi State, since no other institution in the state currently offers it, which makes Nana College the default choice for anyone interested in that specific track.
Grimard Catholic College of Nursing Sciences, Anyingba
Grimard is a Catholic mission-owned institution offering Nursing and Midwifery programmes under full NMCN accreditation. Being a faith-based institution, it combines the standard nursing curriculum with a values-driven residential environment, which appeals to students and parents looking for a disciplined training setting.
Okunland College of Nursing Sciences, Isanlu
Okunland is one of the newer nursing institutions in Kogi State, established in 2021, and positions itself around international nursing standards. Beyond preparing students for the standard NMCN licensing exam, the college also prepares graduates to sit the NCLEX examination used for nursing licensure in the United States, making it a relevant option for students planning an eventual career abroad. It runs both ND and HND Nursing tracks.
Department of Nursing Sciences, Federal University Lokoja (FULOKOJA)
FULOKOJA runs a full five-year Bachelor of Nursing Science degree, regulated jointly by the NUC and the NMCN. As a federal institution, it charges tuition well below what most private and even some state institutions in Kogi State charge, which makes it one of the most cost-effective university-level nursing options in the state.
Department of Nursing Sciences, Prince Audu Abubakar University, Anyigba
Formerly known as Kogi State University, this institution recently secured NMCN accreditation for its B.N.Sc. Nursing programme. As the state-owned university, it charges a subsidized rate to confirmed Kogi State indigenes, with a higher rate applied to students from other states, following the standard practice among Nigerian state universities.
Department of Nursing Sciences, Salem University, Lokoja
Salem University is a private Christian university offering a B.N.Sc. Nursing programme under NMCN approval. It sits at the higher end of the fee spectrum for nursing education in Kogi State, reflecting its status as a fully private institution without government subsidy.
Fee Comparison Across Nursing Institutions in Kogi State
The table below summarizes the estimated annual fee range for each institution, based on the current fee structures reported for the 2026/2027 session. Actual figures can shift slightly from one session to another, so students should treat these as planning estimates rather than fixed invoices.
| Institution | Ownership | Programme Type | Estimated Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kogi State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Obangede | State | ND/HND Nursing, Midwifery, Post-Basic | ₦200,000 – ₦350,000 |
| College of Nursing Sciences, UEC Ochadamu | State-affiliated | ND Nursing | ₦200,000 – ₦300,000 |
| Nana College of Nursing Sciences, Ayingba | Private | Nursing, Midwifery, Dental-Oral Health | ₦300,000 – ₦550,000 |
| Grimard Catholic College of Nursing Sciences, Anyingba | Mission | Nursing, Midwifery | ₦280,000 – ₦500,000 |
| Okunland College of Nursing Sciences, Isanlu | Private | ND/HND Nursing | ₦400,000 – ₦700,000 |
| Federal University Lokoja (FULOKOJA) | Federal | B.N.Sc. Nursing Science | ₦80,000 – ₦200,000 |
| Prince Audu Abubakar University, Anyigba | State | B.N.Sc. Nursing Science | ₦100,000 – ₦400,000 (indigene/non-indigene) |
| Salem University, Lokoja | Private | B.N.Sc. Nursing Science | ₦500,000 – ₦850,000 |
Reading across this table, a clear pattern emerges: federal and state-owned institutions consistently charge less than privately owned colleges and universities, regardless of whether the programme is a diploma or a full degree.
Diploma Route vs. Degree Route: Which Costs Less?
Students weighing whether to pursue nursing through a diploma-level college or a full university degree in Kogi State should understand what each path involves financially and academically.
The diploma route, offered at institutions such as Obangede, Ochadamu, Nana College, Grimard, and Okunland, generally leads to a National Diploma or Higher National Diploma, followed by eligibility to sit the NMCN licensing exam for Registered Nurse status. This route tends to run shorter than a full degree in most cases and often admits students through an internal entrance exam, though several colleges have now shifted to JAMB-based admission for at least some of their programmes.
The degree route, offered at FULOKOJA, Prince Audu Abubakar University, and Salem University, leads to a Bachelor of Nursing Science after five years of study, admitted strictly through JAMB UTME. A B.N.Sc. graduate holds a university degree in addition to RN eligibility, which can open up additional academic and career progression routes, such as postgraduate study or specialized clinical roles, that a diploma alone does not automatically provide.
On cost alone, the federal and state universities (FULOKOJA and Prince Audu Abubakar University) are actually cheaper than most of the private diploma colleges in the state, which surprises many prospective students who assume a university degree always costs more than a college diploma.
General Admission Requirements
Across nearly every nursing institution in Kogi State, admission depends on a shared set of baseline requirements, though specifics vary slightly by institution:
- O’Level credits. Candidates need at least five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings through WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB.
- JAMB UTME. University-level B.N.Sc. programmes require a UTME score, generally recommended at 180 or above, in the subject combination of English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Several diploma-level colleges have also moved to JAMB-based admission for their newer HND tracks.
- Institutional screening or entrance exam. Some ND-level colleges still run their own internal entrance examination in addition to, or instead of, JAMB, depending on the programme and admission cycle.
- Minimum age. Candidates must generally be at least 16 years old at the point of admission.
Because requirements shift slightly by institution and by session, candidates should confirm the exact current admission criteria directly with the specific school before applying.
How to Choose Among the Approved Nursing Schools in Kogi State
A few practical factors help narrow the decision between the eight approved institutions:
- Budget. FULOKOJA and Prince Audu Abubakar University offer the lowest-cost university pathway, while KGSCNM Obangede and the Ochadamu college offer the lowest-cost diploma pathway.
- Degree vs. diploma preference. Students who specifically want a Bachelor’s degree should focus on the three university options; those prioritizing faster entry into the workforce may prefer a diploma-level college.
- Specialization. Nana College remains the only institution in the state offering Dental-Oral Health Nursing as a distinct programme.
- International career plans. Okunland College’s NCLEX preparation makes it a relevant choice for students planning to eventually practise abroad.
- Location and accommodation. Institutions are spread across Obangede, Ochadamu, Ayingba/Anyingba, Isanlu, and Lokoja, so proximity to home and the availability of student housing should factor into the final decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many NMCN-approved nursing institutions operate in Kogi State?
Kogi State currently has eight NMCN-approved nursing training institutions, spanning state, federal, private, and mission-owned ownership types.
Which nursing institution in Kogi State charges the lowest fees?
Federal University Lokoja offers the lowest-cost B.N.Sc. programme, generally within the ₦80,000 to ₦200,000 range per session, making it the most affordable university-level option in the state.
Is a diploma from a Kogi State nursing college enough to become a Registered Nurse?
Yes. Graduates of NMCN-approved ND and HND Nursing programmes are eligible to sit the NMCN professional licensing examination and register as Registered Nurses, without needing a university degree.
Does admission into these nursing schools always require JAMB?
Not always. University-level B.N.Sc. programmes require JAMB UTME, but some diploma-level colleges still run internal entrance examinations alongside or instead of JAMB, depending on the specific programme and admission cycle.
Which institution in Kogi State offers Dental-Oral Health Nursing?
Nana College of Nursing Sciences in Ayingba is currently the only NMCN-approved institution in Kogi State offering a dedicated Dental-Oral Health Nursing programme.