Ogun State hosts one of the widest ranges of nursing training institutions in southwestern Nigeria. The state combines a multi-campus government college, a Catholic mission school, a federal specialist psychiatric institution, a private diploma college, and five universities offering the Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) degree. This spread gives prospective students in Ogun State more pathways into the nursing profession than most other states offer, whether the goal is a three-year diploma certificate or a full five-year university degree.
An “approved” nursing school in this context means an institution whose nursing or midwifery programme is recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), the statutory body that regulates nursing education and licenses graduates to practise. Attending a school without NMCN approval carries real risk, since graduates from unapproved programmes cannot sit the council’s licensing examination or register as practising nurses. This article covers the officially recognised nursing institutions operating in Ogun State and gives a realistic picture of what each one charges per session.
Overview of Nursing Education Options in Ogun State
Nursing training in Ogun State falls into three broad categories. The first is the state government college system, run through the Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences (OGCON), which operates satellite campuses in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, and Ilaro. The second is mission and private diploma colleges, including Sacred Heart College of Nursing Sciences in Lantoro, Abeokuta, and JAFAD College of Nursing Sciences in Oru-Ijebu. The third category is university-based B.N.Sc. programmes, offered by Babcock University, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Chrisland University, Mountain Top University, and Christopher University. A federal institution, the Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Aro, Abeokuta, also runs a specialised Post-Basic Nursing programme in psychiatric and mental health nursing for nurses who already hold a basic qualification.
Each category serves a different type of student. The state college system suits candidates who want an affordable Registered Nurse (RN) qualification through a diploma route. The university programmes suit candidates who want a full degree and are prepared for a significantly higher financial commitment. The mission and private colleges sit between the two, offering diploma-level training with slightly higher fees than the state college but without university-level costs.
List of Approved Nursing Institutions in Ogun State and Their Fees
The table below summarises the main NMCN-approved nursing training institutions in Ogun State, the type of programme each one runs, and the approximate fee range per session. Figures for government and mission institutions change little year to year, while university fees are reviewed more frequently and can shift with each new session.
| Institution | Location | Programme Type | Approximate Fee (Per Session) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences (OGCON) | Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, Ilaro | ND Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Post-Basic specialisations | ₦65,000 – ₦180,000 |
| Sacred Heart College of Nursing Sciences | Lantoro, Abeokuta | Basic Nursing (3-year diploma) | ₦100,000 – ₦200,000 |
| JAFAD College of Nursing Sciences | Oru-Ijebu | Basic General Nursing (3-year diploma) | ₦150,000 – ₦300,000 |
| Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro | Abeokuta | Post-Basic Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing | ₦150,000 – ₦250,000 |
| Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) | Ago-Iwoye | B.N.Sc. Nursing Science (5-year degree) | ₦160,000 – ₦350,000 |
| Babcock University | Ilishan-Remo | B.N.Sc. Nursing Science (5-year degree) | ₦1,150,000 – ₦1,550,000 |
| Christopher University | Mowe | B.N.Sc. Nursing Science (5-year degree) | ₦700,000 – ₦1,100,000 |
| Mountain Top University | Ibafo | B.N.Sc. Nursing Science (5-year degree) | ₦800,000 – ₦1,200,000 |
| Chrisland University | Owode, Abeokuta | B.N.Sc. Nursing Science (5-year degree) | ₦1,200,000 – ₦1,800,000 |
These figures are estimates drawn from the most recently published fee schedules of each institution. Because tuition is reviewed periodically, applicants should always confirm the exact current figure directly with the institution’s admissions or bursary office before making any payment.
Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences (OGCON)
OGCON is the anchor state institution for nursing training in Ogun State and runs three satellite campuses in Abeokuta (Idi-Aba), Ijebu-Ode, and Ilaro. It offers the ND Nursing programme, Basic Midwifery, and several Post-Basic specialisations, including Perioperative, Cardiothoracic, Ophthalmic, and Anaesthetic Nursing. Admission runs through JAMB’s UTME, with a minimum cut-off mark typically set at 180, alongside five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry obtained in not more than two sittings.
Tuition at OGCON is the most affordable option in the state, generally falling between ₦65,000 and ₦130,000 per session for the ND Nursing and Basic Midwifery tracks, with charges varying slightly by campus and by whether the applicant is an Ogun State indigene. Post-Basic specialisation programmes cost more, typically ₦150,000 to ₦250,000 per session, reflecting the additional clinical equipment and specialist supervision these tracks require. Students should also budget for an application form fee (often around ₦20,000), an acceptance fee, examination fees, and laboratory charges, none of which are included in the base tuition figure.
Sacred Heart College of Nursing Sciences, Lantoro
Owned and run by the Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta, Sacred Heart College of Nursing Sciences offers a three-year Basic Nursing programme built around a mission ethos of discipline and community service. Fees here run somewhat higher than OGCON but remain well below university levels, generally between ₦100,000 and ₦200,000 per session depending on the specific charges applied that year. Admission follows the same general pattern as other diploma colleges: five O’Level credits including the core science subjects, plus an entrance examination and interview conducted by the school.
JAFAD College of Nursing Sciences, Oru-Ijebu
JAFAD is a private diploma institution offering a three-year Basic General Nursing programme. Its admission process is notably thorough, requiring five O’Level credit passes, a written entrance examination, an oral interview, a personal essay, and three reference letters from individuals of good standing. Application forms are distributed through designated Wema Bank branches and selected radio outlets, including the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation. Fees range from ₦150,000 to ₦300,000 per session, placing it above the state college but below university-level nursing programmes.
Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro
The Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Aro, Abeokuta, houses a specialised college offering Post-Basic Nursing education in psychiatric and mental health nursing. This programme is not an entry point into nursing; it is open only to candidates who already hold a Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife qualification and want to specialise further. Fees for this Post-Basic track fall in the range of ₦150,000 to ₦250,000 per session, similar to other specialised Post-Basic offerings in the state.
University B.N.Sc. Programmes in Ogun State
Five universities in Ogun State run NMCN-approved Bachelor of Nursing Science degrees, and their fee structures differ sharply from the diploma colleges.
Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), a state-owned institution in Ago-Iwoye, offers the most affordable university route into nursing. Nursing fees at OOU have been reported between ₦160,000 and ₦350,000 per session depending on level and the specific fee schedule in force that year, with Ogun State indigenes typically paying less than non-indigenes due to state subsidy. Admission requires UTME with a cut-off mark generally around 160 and above, plus the standard five credits in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Babcock University in Ilishan-Remo, owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, runs its B.N.Sc. programme through a School of Nursing Sciences with four departments: Community Health, Adult Health, Maternal and Child Health, and Mental Health/Psychiatry. As a private faith-based university, its fees sit considerably higher, typically between ₦1,150,000 and ₦1,550,000 per session depending on level, with 100-level students often at the upper end due to additional orientation and matriculation charges.
Chrisland University in Owode, Abeokuta, has the highest nursing fees among Ogun State institutions, with figures reported between ₦1,200,000 and ₦1,800,000 per session, and some sources citing costs approaching ₦3,000,000 when accommodation and clinical charges are included. Mountain Top University in Ibafo and Christopher University in Mowe fall between Babcock and Chrisland, with Mountain Top charging roughly ₦800,000 to ₦1,200,000 per session and Christopher University charging approximately ₦700,000 to ₦1,100,000 per session.
Factors That Affect Nursing School Fees in Ogun State
Several factors explain the wide gap between the cheapest and most expensive options in the state. Ownership type is the biggest driver: state-government colleges receive public subsidy and charge far less than private universities, which must cover their full operating costs from tuition. Indigene status also matters at state institutions, since Ogun State indigenes generally pay lower rates than students from other states. Programme level plays a role too, since specialised Post-Basic tracks and higher university levels sometimes carry additional practical or clinical charges beyond base tuition. Finally, whether a figure quoted includes accommodation, feeding, and uniform costs, or tuition alone, significantly changes the total a student should budget for.
General Admission Requirements
Across nearly all approved nursing institutions in Ogun State, applicants need a minimum of five O’Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in no more than two sittings. Diploma-level colleges typically require a school-administered or state-coordinated entrance examination and an interview, while university B.N.Sc. programmes require a UTME score meeting the institution’s cut-off mark, followed by a post-UTME screening exercise. Some institutions, including Chrisland University, require the five credits in a single sitting specifically for nursing applicants due to the programme’s competitive nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the cheapest approved nursing school in Ogun State?
The Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences (OGCON) is the most affordable, with tuition around ₦65,000 to ₦130,000 per session across its Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, and Ilaro campuses.
Can I study nursing in Ogun State without JAMB?
Most ND Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery programmes at the state college now require a JAMB UTME score for admission. University B.N.Sc. programmes always require UTME. Direct entry routes exist at some universities for candidates with prior qualifications such as OND, HND, or JUPEB.
How long does a nursing programme take in Ogun State?
Diploma-level Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery programmes take three years. University B.N.Sc. degree programmes take five years.
Is nursing at Chrisland University NMCN-accredited?
Chrisland University’s B.N.Sc. programme is listed among NMCN-approved offerings in Ogun State, though applicants should verify current accreditation status directly with the university or the NMCN before applying, since accreditation status can be updated periodically.