What is the best nursing school in Nigeria that you can attend as a nursing student? Nursing as a career in Nigeria has been enjoying favourable demand from the labour market due to its ever-increasing demand in the health sector and the ability to work immediately after the completion of your training, whether in a school of nursing or any institution where you intend to study nursing.
Choosing the best Nursing School in Nigeria should be your priority, as these will help in shaping your career in the years to come. Choosing the best Nursing School will give you access to the best medical facilities for training, quality education, and lastly, you will be free from the headache that accompanies a particular learning institution that is not accredited.
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Why Study Nursing In Nigeria?
Since its independence, Nigeria as a nation has invested in its education sector, producing excellent professionals outside the country’s borders, even internationally. According to statistics, the best doctors and Nurses in the United Kingdom have studied in Nigeria, which shows the level of training that has been instilled in them.
Studying nursing in Nigeria will give you access to opportunities either in Nigeria or internationally, and the Nigerian Nursing Certificate, being accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, can be used to work anywhere.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Nursing School
1. Accreditation of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN)
This comes as number one, as the time to account, causing years with no certificate to show for it. When considering an institution for your nursing program, ensure the institution is accredited.
2. Adequate Facilities and clinical experience
Nursing requires practical hand skills, and for this to be taught, adequate facilities and clinical experience by the teacher must be available to demonstrate effectively to the student.
When choosing the best Nursing School in Nigeria, do proper research to determine whether they have enough medical facilities and clinical experience.
3. Location and accessibility.
Schools of nursing are scattered across the various areas of the country. It is best recommended that you choose the school of nursing that is closer to your location.
If you don’t mind having your institution miles away from your residence, then this is not for you. But due to insecurities, it is best advisable to choose the school that is easily accessible to you.
4. Tuition fees and affordability.
Choosing a school of nursing that is beyond your income level can make you frustrated. When deciding on the school of nursing where you intend to study, take into account the school fees, cost of living, and other expenses
If the analysis you did tends to be higher than your income level or your sponsor’s income, you should go for an institution that is cheaper and best suitable for you. This is done in order to avoid the frustration that comes with not having adequate resources to cater to your tuition fees and other fees.
Having taken into consideration these factors, tailored for you are the 10 best Schools of Nursing in Nigeria which have met requirements like accreditation, medical facilities and clinical experience, and lastly a good learning environment.
5 Best Nursing Schools in Nigeria (2025)
1. University of Ibadan(UI)-Department of Nursing, Ibadan
The University of Ibadan is one of the nursing schools in Nigeria that offers Nursing under its Department of Nursing. The university offered the Bachelor of Nursing Science(BNSc) for candidates who aspire to study nursing at the university.
The university duration of study ranges from 4-5 years, 5 years for candidates who applied with UTME and 4 years for candidates who applied through direct entry.
The requirements mandated by this school can be very rigorous, as they demand that you have a higher score and an excellent O-level result, plus the fact that you have to write the Post-UTME exam conducted by the university.
The University of Ibadan is a place to go for when choosing the best school for nursing in Nigeria; they are equipped with the latest medical facilities for training, a conducive learning environment, and well-experienced lecturers with technical experience.
2. University of Lagos (UNILAG) Department of Nursing, Lagos State
University of Lagos offers Nursing under its department of nursing, but the information that University of Lagos runs a school of nursing is not true; rather, they conduct this under its department in the institution.
The institution offers BNSc in nursing to candidates who want to study Nursing in the institution, and the duration of the study ranges from 4-5 years.
The requirements of the institution include five credits in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English language, and mathematics, including having a high score in your UTME exam, as the department is competitive.
The university is one of the best universities to study nursing as it is equipped with the latest medical facilities and well-experienced lecturers. Students also have the privilege of going to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital for practicum and gain on hand experience.
3. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)-Department of Nursing, Osun State.
Obafemi Awolowo University offers Nursing under its Department of Nursing, Faculty of Basic Medical Science. The institution offers BNSC to candidates who intend to study nursing. Obafemi Awolowo University runs both online and physical classes, which makes it distinct from other institutions. The requirement differs for candidates based on the class they choose, which can either be a physical or an online class.
The requirements for the institution require you to have English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, while those who will take the online class are required to have been registered by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
Obafemi Awolowo University is the best institution for nursing, equipped with the latest medical facilities for practicum, dedicated and hardworking teaching staff with technical experience. The university also conducts community and hospital postings during the duration of study, which can help boost your job requirements portfolio, as most applicants consider experience.
4. Ahmadu Bello University(Department of Nursing), Kaduna State
Ahmadu Bello University is situated in the Northern part of Nigeria. Established to be the pioneer of Education in the Northern area of the country, the institution has improved since its establishment
Among its peers, Ahmadu Bello University offers Nursing science under the department of nursing. The university offers BNS.c for candidates who complete their duration of study in the institution.
However, the university does not offer admission to candidates who do not have experience in nursing, as one of their requirements is for you to be licensed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN)
The requirement includes having five credits in relevant O-level exam sitting in not more than two sittings. The institution mandates that candidates will be required to go on community and hospital postings in their 3rd and 4th years, respectively, for 8 weeks each semester.
ABU Zaria is an institution that is equipped with the best qualified, experienced staff who teach the students. The university also lets you explore the northern part of the country, coupled with the low cost of living for those who are in the middle-income bracket range.
5. Bowen University Ogbomoso( Department of Nursing Science)
Located in Ogbomoso, Osun state. Bowen University Teaching Hospital is one of the best nursing schools to attend in Nigeria.
The institution offers a BNSC certificate to candidate who fulfill the requirements after the completion of their duration of study in the institution. They offer admission using UTME, which means you have to be 16 years or older when applying for the institution.
The requirements of the institution include
Minimum of Five (5) Credit Passes at O’Level in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB (not more than two sittings). Acceptable combinations include WAEC/NECO or NABTEB/NABTEB and a JAMB score of 180 or more
Bowen University is an institution where you can pursue a nursing program, equipped with the best facilities and clinical experience provided by the staff. It is one of the private universities in Nigeria where you can obtain a Nursing certificate.
There have been quite a few testimonials from students and parents who have their children enrolled in the institution praising the university for its academic excellence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Which is the best nursing school in Nigeria?
Each School of Nursing is the best and all are doing well according to their capacity, but some differ in terms of Clinical experience, Medical facilities, and ability to gain practical knowledge during the duration of study.
How many years does it take to study nursing?
Nursing takes a period of 4-5 years for most Nigerian higher learning institutions. With 5 years for most institutions that accept UTME and 4 years for Direct Entry applicants
Is nursing competitive in Nigeria?
Nursing can be quite competitive, especially if you choose a higher learning institution who are reputable and known internationally, but you can still make your way in with determination and effort.
Conclusion
Above are the best nursing schools in Nigeria. The list is not limited to these alone; other learning institutions meet all the criteria needed for a school of nursing. Don’t be limited to this list if you don’t like any of these institutions above due to various factors mentioned above. You can do proper research on other schools of nursing across the federation.