The Complete List of 2024 Approved Nursing Training Institutions in Nigeria Across All 36 States

This article provides a complete list of 2024 approved nursing training institutions across all 36 states in Nigeria, outlining their roles, the number of approved institutions, and a detailed breakdown of schools by state. It highlights the critical role of nurses in promoting health, preventing sickness, and caring for individuals of all ages in diverse healthcare settings.

Roles of Nursing Schools:

Nursing schools in Nigeria serve as educational institutions that provide specialized training and education for individuals aspiring to become professional nurses. These institutions play a pivotal role in preparing students for a rewarding career in nursing by imparting the essential knowledge and skills required for quality healthcare service delivery.

Nursing Education in Nigeria: A Historical Overview and Challenges

Historical Background:
• Nursing education in Nigeria dates back to the early 20th century, with the establishment of the first nursing schools during the colonial era.
• Missionary organizations laid the foundation for nursing education.

Accreditation of Nursing Training Institutions:
• The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) oversees the accreditation of nursing training institutions in Nigeria.
• The Council ensures that nursing schools meet established standards in terms of faculty, infrastructure, curriculum, and clinical training.

Choosing a Nursing Training Institution:
• Aspiring nurses should consider accreditation status, faculty qualifications, facilities, clinical training opportunities, admission quotas, and the institution’s reputation within the healthcare community.

Top Nursing Training Institutions in Nigeria:
• University-based nursing schools: offer a broader academic perspective and offer Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) programs.
• Government-owned nursing schools contribute significantly to the training of nurses in Nigeria.
• Private Nursing Schools: Offer alternative options for nursing education.
• Specialized Nursing Training Institutions: Focus on post-basic nursing specialties like midwifery, community nursing, and mental health nursing.

Admission Requirements:
• Minimum level of education, specific subject prerequisites, and successful completion of entrance examinations.

Nursing Training Admission Requirements in Nigeria

Educational Qualifications:
• A minimum of five O’Level credits, including English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology.
• Age limit: typically between 16 and 35 years old.
• Nursing entrance examination: assesses knowledge in relevant nursing subjects and may include aptitude tests.
• Medical Fitness: Applicants must undergo a physical and mental examination for nursing practice.
• Interview: Some nursing schools may conduct interviews to assess communication skills, motivation, and understanding of the nursing profession.
• Character Reference: Candidates may be required to provide references or letters of recommendation.
• Application Form and Fee: Prospective students must obtain and complete the official application form for the nursing school they wish to attend.
• Educational Certification Verification: Applicants may need certified copies of their educational certificates and transcripts.
• Proof of Citizenship: Applicants typically need to provide proof of Nigerian citizenship.
• Passport Photographs: Recent passport-sized photographs may be part of the application requirements.

Curriculum and Courses:

Foundational Sciences:
• Anatomy and Physiology: Understanding human body structure and function.
• Biochemistry: studying chemical processes within living organisms.
• Microbiology: Examining microorganisms and their health impacts.

Basic Nursing Courses:
• Introduction to nursing care principles and practices.
• Emphasis on nursing ethics and professional conduct.
• Medical-Surgical Nursing: Care of patients with medical and surgical conditions.
• Pharmacology: study of drugs, their actions, and administration.

Maternal and Child Health:
• Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing: Care of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.
• Pediatric Nursing: Focus on the health needs of infants, children, and adolescents.

Mental Health Nursing:
• Psychiatric Nursing: Understanding and Addressing Mental Health Disorders.

Community Health Nursing:
• Providing healthcare services in community settings.
• Epidemiology: study of disease patterns and control in populations.

Specialized nursing areas:
• Critical Care Nursing: Managing patients in intensive care units.
• Perioperative Nursing: Care of patients undergoing surgery.
• Ophthalmic Nursing: Focus on eye care and conditions.

Nursing Research:
• Introduction to research techniques in nursing.
• Evidence-Based Practice: Application of research findings to nursing care.

Health Education:
• Health Promotion and Education: Strategies for promoting health and preventing diseases.

Leadership and Management:
• Developing leadership skills in nursing practice.

Clinical Practicum:
• Clinical Rotations: hands-on experience in various healthcare settings.
• Internship Programs: Extended Clinical Practice.

Training Methods and Resources:
• Nursing education employs lectures, hands-on practical training, simulations, and clinical rotations.

BONUS –

Nursing institutions in Nigeria offer post-graduate programs, including Master’s and Doctoral degrees, offering diverse career opportunities in various fields. Salaries vary based on experience and specialization. Accredited nursing training institutions are crucial for career advancement.

However, challenges include inadequate infrastructure, faculty shortages, financial constraints, and the need for modern teaching resources. To improve nursing education in Nigeria, increased investment in infrastructure, faculty development, and collaboration between government, healthcare institutions, and stakeholders is needed.

Components of Nursing Education:

1. Professional Education: Nursing schools offer structured programs covering various aspects of nursing, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, patient care, and medical ethics.
2. Skill Development: Practical training and hands-on experiences are provided to develop crucial nursing skills such as medication administration, wound care, patient assessment, and clinical procedures.
3. Licensing and Certification: Nursing schools prepare students for licensure examinations necessary for becoming registered nurses or licensed practical nurses in Nigeria.
4. Specialization Opportunities: Some institutions offer specialized tracks in pediatric nursing, geriatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, or critical care nursing, allowing students to pursue specific fields of interest.
5. Ethical and Professional Values: Nursing schools instill professional values and ethics, emphasizing compassionate care, patient dignity, and maintaining high standards of integrity.

Statistics on Approved Nursing Schools in Nigeria (as of October 2023):

• Total Nursing Training Institutions: 400
• Categories:
  • School of Nursing (Basic): 117
  • Schools of Midwifery (Basic/Post-Basic): 111
  • Schools of Post-Basic Nursing Specialties: 72
  • Departments of Nursing Sciences: 43
  • Community Midwifery Program: 27
  • Community Nursing Program: 30

State-wise breakdown of nursing schools:

Abia State:

1. SON, Amachara
2. School Of Post-Basic Midwifery, Umuahia
3. SOPBM, Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH)
4. Department Of Nursing, Abia State University, Uturu
5. School Of Nursing, Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba
6. School of Nursing, Umuahia
7. SOPBM, Abiriba
8. School Of Basic Midwifery, Amachara
9. School of Mental Health Nursing, Aba

Adamawa State:

1. Community Midwifery, Yola
2. School of Peri-operative Nursing, Federal Medical Centre, Yola
3. College of Nursing & Midwifery, Dept. of Nursing, Yola

Akwa Ibom State:

1. SOPBM, Iquita-Oron
2. SOPBM, Ituk-Mbang
3. SOPBM, Urua-Akpan
4. SON, Anua-Uyo
5. SON, Eket
6. SON, Ikot-Ekpene
7. SON, Ituk-Mbang
8. SOPBM, Anua-Uyo
9. School of Mental Health Nursing, Eket

Anambra State:

1. Hospital, Nnewi
2. SON, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Nkpor
3. SON, Adazi-Nnukwu
4. DON, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi
5. SON, Ihiala
6. SON, Iyi-Enu
7. SON, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching
8. College of Nursing, Diocesan Hospital, Amichi
9. SOPBM, Ihiala
10. College of Nursing, St. Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha
11. SOBM, Adazi
12. SOBM, COOUTH, and Nkor
13. SOBM Iyi-Enu
14. SOPBM, Waterside, Onitsha

Bauchi State:

1. SOBM ATBUTH, Bauchi
2. Community Midwifery Programme: SOBM, ATBUTH, Bauchi
3. College of Nursing and Midwifery, SON, Bauchi
4. SON, ATBUTH, Bauchi
5. College of Nursing and Midwifery, SON, Bauchi
6. College of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Midwifery, Bauchi

Bayelsa State:

1. SON, Tombia
2. DON, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island
3. SOBM, Tombia

Benue State:

1. SOBM, Makurdi
2. SON, Makurdi
3. SON, Mkar
4. SOBM, Mkar

Borno State:

1. SOBM, Maiduguri
2. Community Midwifery Programme (SOBM), Maiduguri
3. DON, University of Maiduguri
4. SON, Maiduguri
5. SON, UMTH, Maiduguri
6. SOPBN Peri-Operative, UMTH, Maiduguri
7. School of Mental Health Nursing, FNH, Maiduguri
8. SOPB Critical Care Nursing, UMTH, Maiduguri

Cross River State:

1. SON, Itigidi
2. SON, Ogoja
3. SOPBM Calabar
4. SOPBM, Obudu
5. DON, University Of Calabar
6. SON, St. Margaret’s Hospital, Calabar
7. SON, UCTH, and Calabar
8. SOPBM Ogoja, Moniaya
9. SOPB Otorhinolaryngology Nursing, UCTH, Calabar
10. School of Mental Health Nursing, Federal Neuro Psy. Hosp., Calabar

Delta State:

1. SON, Eku
2. SON, Warri
3. DON, Delta State University, Abraka
4. SON, Agbor
5. SOPBM, Asaba
6. SOPBM, Sapele

Ebonyi State:

1. SON, FETHA, and Abakaliki
2. SOPBM Afikpo
3. DON, Ebonyi State University, EBSU, Abakaliki
4. SON, MMH, and Afikpo
5. SOBM, FETHA, and Abakaliki
6. College of Nursing Sciences, Uburu

Edo State:

1. SON, UBTH, Benin
2. SON, Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital, Okada
3. SOPBM U.B.T.H. Benin-City
4. SOBM, Benin-City
5. DON, University of Benin, Benin-City
6. DON, Igbinedion University, Okada
7. DON, Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma
8. SON, Benin City
9. SOBM, St. Philo’s Hosp. Benin City.
10. SOBM, St. Camillus Hosp. Uromi
11. SOBM. Zuma Memorial Hosp. Irrua
12. SOPB Paediatric Nursing, UBTH, Benin
13. SOPB Ophthalmic Nursing, UBTH, Benin City
14. SOPB Paediatric Nursing, Irrua Specialist Hospital, Irrua
15. SOPBN A & E Nursing, UBTH, Benin
16. SOPB Peri-Operative Nursing, UBTH, Benin
17. SOPBN, Ophthalmic, UNTH, and Enugu
18. SOPBN, Burns & Plastic, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu
19. SOPB Orthopaedic Nursing, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu
20. SOPB Anaesthetic Nursing, UBTH, Benin

Ekiti State:

1. SON, Ido-Ekiti
2. DON, Afe Babalola University, Ekiti
3. SON, Ado-Ekiti
4. SOPB, Midwifery Ado-Ekiti

Enugu State:

1. SOPBM, ESUTH, Parklane, and Enugu
2. SOPBM UNTH, Enugu
3. SOBM, Awgu
4. DON, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus
5. SON, Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka.
6. SON, ESUTH, Parklane, and Enugu
7. SOPBN, Cardiothoracic, UNTH, Enugu
8. SOPB Nurse Anaesthetic Programme, UNTH, Enugu
9. SON, UNTH, and Enugu
10. SOPBM Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka
11. School of Mental Health Nursing, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu
12. SOPB Peri-Operative Nursing, UNTH, Enugu
13. SOPBN, Ophthalmic, UNTH, and Enugu
14. SOPBN, Burns & Plastic, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu
15. SOPB Orthopaedic Nursing, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu

Gombe State:

1. SON, Gombe
2. SOBM, Gombe

Imo State:

1. SON, Joint Hospital, Mbano
2. SON, Owerri
3. State College of Nursing & Midwifery, Orlu
4. DON, Imo State University, Orlu
5. SON, Amaigbo
6. SON, Emekuku
7. SOBM, Aboh Mbaise
8. SOPBM, Awo-Omamma
9. SOPBM Emekuku
10. SON, Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, Umulogho, Obowo

Jigawa State:

1. SON, Birnin-Kudu
2. College of Nursing, Hadejia
3. SOBM. Birnin-Kudu

Kaduna State:

1. SON, St. Gerald’s Hospital, Kakuri
2. SON, Wusasa
3. SOBM. Tudun Wada (Kaduna State College of Midwifery)
4. SOBM, Zonkwa
5. DON, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
6. SON, ABUTH, and Zaria
7. College of Nursing Sci., Dept. of Nursing, Kafanchan
8. SOPBN, Pediatric Nursing, ABUTH, Zaria
9. SOPB Nurse Anaesthetic Programme, ABUTH, Zaria
10. SOPBN, Otorhinolaryngology Nursing, Kaduna
11. SOPB Ophthalmic Nursing, Kaduna, National Eye Centre
12. College of Nursing Science, Dept. of Basic Midwifery, Kafanchan
13. SOPBM, ABUTH, and Zaria
14. SOBM, Wusasa
15. SOPB (Ophthalmic) Nursing, ABUTH, Zaria
16. School of Mental Health Nursing, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Barnawa, Kaduna

Kano State:

1. SOBM, Kano
2. SOPBM, Gezawa
3. DON, Bayero University, Kano
4. SON, Kano
5. SON, Madobi
6. College of Basic Midwifery, Gwarzo
7. SOPB Orthopaedic Nursing, National Hospital, Dala-Kano
8. SOPB Accident and Emergency Nursing, National Orthopedic Hospital, Dala-Kano
9. SOPB Pediatric Nursing, AKTH
10. SOBM, Danbatta, and Kano
11. Community Midwifery Programme, SOBM, Danbatta, Kano

Katsina State:

1. SOM, Cherish College of Nursing
2. SON, Katsina
3. SON, Cherish College of Nursing Sciences, Batsari, Katsina State
4. SOBM, Malumfashi
5. Community Midwifery Programme, SOBM, Malumfashi
6. Sciences, Batsari, Katsina State

Kebbi State:

1. SON, Birnin-Kebbi
2. SOBM, Birnin-Kebbi

Kogi State:

1. College of Nursing, Obangede
2. ECWA SON, Egbe
3. College of Nursing, UEC, Ochadamu
4. SOBM, Anyigba
5. ECWA SOBM, Egbe

Kwara State:

1. College Of Nursing, Oke-Ode
2. SOPBM, Ilorin
3. SOPB A & E Nursing, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin
4. DON. Sci., Fac. of Clinical/Health Sc., University of Ilorin
5. SON, Ilorin
6. SON, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin
7. SOPB Pediatric Nursing, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin
8. SOPBN Nephrology Nursing, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin

Lagos State:

1. SOBM, Igando
2. SOPBM, LUTH, and Idi-Araba
3. SOPBM, Military Hospital, Yaba
4. SOPB A & E Nursing, LUTH, Idi-Araba
5. SOPB Paediatric Nursing, LUTH, Lagos
6. DON, University of Lagos
7. SON, Igando
8. SON, LUTH, Idi-Araba
9. SON, Military Hospital, Yaba
10. SOPB Ophthalmic Nursing, LUTH, Lagos
11. SOPB Peri-Operative Nursing, LUTH, Lagos
12. SOPB A&E Nursing, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos
13. SOPB Orthopaedic Nursing, NOH. Igbobi, Lagos
14. School of Mental Health Nursing, Federal Neuropsychiatric, Yaba

Nasarawa State:

1. SON, Lafia
2. SOBM, Lafia

Niger State:

1. SON, Bida
2. SOBM. Minna
3. SOBM, College of Nursing Sciences, Kontogora

Ogun State:

1. SON, Ilaro
2. SON, Lantoro
3. SOPBM, Abeokuta
4. DON, Babcock University, Illishan-Remo
5. SON, Abeokuta
6. SON, Ijebu-Ode
7. SOPBM, Ijebu-Ode
8. School of Mental Health Nursing, Aro, Abeokuta

Ondo State:

1. SON, Akure
2. SOBM, Akure

Osun State:

1. SON, OAUTHC, and Ilesa
2. SON, Seventh Day Adventist Hospital, Ile-Ife
3. DON, LAUTECH, Osogbo
4. DON, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
5. DON, Osun State University, Osogbo
6. DON Sci., Bowen University, Iwo
7. SON, OAUTHC, and Ile-Ife
8. SON, Osogbo
9. SOPBM, OAUTHC, and Ilesa
10. SOPBM, Osogbo
11. SOPBN Peri-Operative Nursing, OAUTHC, and Ile-Ife

Oyo State:

1. College of Nursing and Midwifery, DON, Eleyele, and Ibadan
2. SON, University College Hospital, Ibadan
3. SOBM, Muslim Hospital, Saki
4. DON, University of Ibadan, Ibadan
5. SON, Baptist Medical Centre, Saki
6. SON, Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho
7. SOPBM, Baptist Medical Center, Saki
8. SOPBM, Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso
9. SOPBM, Oluyoro, and Ibadan
10. SOPBM, University College Hospital, Ibadan
11. SOPB Peri-Operative Nursing, University College Hospital, Ibadan
12. College of Nursing and Midwifery, Dept. of Post-Basic Midwifery, Eleyele, Ibadan
13. College of Nursing and Midwifery, Dept. of Basic Midwifery, Kisi Campus, Ibadan
14. SOPBN, Occupational Health, University College Hospital, Ibadan