Anambra State is one of the states in southeastern Nigeria with the largest concentration of accredited nursing training institutions. Beyond the public university nursing programme run by Nnamdi Azikiwe University, the state hosts several private and mission-owned colleges of nursing that train students for the Registered Nurse (RN) qualification recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). This article lists the private nursing schools in Anambra State, explains what each one offers, and gives a clear picture of the school fees prospective students should expect for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Why Anambra State Is a Common Choice for Nursing Training
Anambra State has a long history of mission-run hospitals, many of which were established by Catholic and other religious organisations decades ago. Several of these hospitals, such as St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital Adazi-Nnukwu, later developed into full training institutions once they met the standards set by the NMCN for nursing education. This history explains why a large share of the private colleges of nursing in the state are affiliated with a particular hospital, where students complete both classroom instruction and clinical/ward postings as part of their training.
Private nursing schools in Anambra generally run a three-year General Nursing programme leading to the Registered Nurse certificate, in addition to related tracks such as Basic Midwifery, Post-Basic Nursing, or Public Health Nursing in some institutions. Students who complete the programme and pass the NMCN licensing examination become eligible for professional registration and can work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings across Nigeria.
List of Private Nursing Schools in Anambra State
The private and mission-owned colleges of nursing recognised in Anambra State include the following:
- College of Nursing Sciences, St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital, Onitsha – the first private college of nursing to be established and accredited in Anambra State, offering a three-year General Nursing programme.
- College of Nursing Sciences, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Adazi-Nnukwu – located in Aniocha, Anaocha LGA, and affiliated with St. Joseph’s Hospital, offering General Nursing and Basic Midwifery programmes.
- Millennium College of Nursing Sciences, Awka – a private college located in the state capital, offering General Nursing training.
- College of Nursing Sciences, Alor – a private college located in Idemili South LGA.
- Apex College of Nursing Sciences, Igbo-Ukwu – located in Aguata LGA, useful for candidates who prefer to study within the Ekwulobia, Uga, or Nnewi South axis without travelling to Awka or Onitsha.
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Tansian University, Umunya – a private, faith-based university offering a full Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) degree under its Faculty of Health Sciences.
- Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Shanahan University, Onitsha – a private university nursing programme also leading to a BNSc degree.
Aside from these, Madonna University Awka, a long-established private Catholic university, also runs nursing-related health science programmes, though prospective applicants should confirm the current status of specific nursing tracks directly with the university’s admissions office, as programme offerings can change between sessions.
Most of these institutions fall into two categories: standalone colleges of nursing affiliated with a hospital, which typically run a diploma-level General Nursing programme (comparable to the National Diploma structure used across NMCN-accredited schools), and private universities with a full Faculty or Department of Nursing Sciences, which award a Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) degree after four to five years of study.
Difference Between Hospital-Affiliated Colleges and University Nursing Programmes
Prospective nursing students in Anambra State generally choose between two structurally different pathways:
- Hospital-affiliated colleges of nursing: These run a three-year General Nursing programme, sometimes with an additional Basic Midwifery or Post-Basic option. Training combines classroom lectures with clinical postings at the affiliated hospital. Graduates receive the Registered Nurse (RN) certificate after passing the NMCN qualifying examination.
- University-based BNSc programmes: These run for four years for UTME entry candidates (or a shorter period for direct entry candidates with a relevant prior qualification, such as an RN certificate). Graduates receive a full university degree in Nursing Science, in addition to eligibility for NMCN registration.
The choice between the two often comes down to how quickly a candidate wants to start working as a nurse versus whether they want a full university degree. A hospital-affiliated diploma route generally gets a student into clinical practice faster, while a BNSc route takes longer but provides a bachelor’s degree, which can open more advanced career and further-study opportunities later on.
Admission Requirements for Private Nursing Schools in Anambra State
Requirements differ slightly depending on whether a candidate is applying to a hospital-affiliated college or a university nursing programme, but the general expectations are similar:
- O’Level requirement: Five credit passes in WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- UTME requirement: Most private colleges of nursing now require a valid UTME score as part of the admission process, with typical benchmarks in the range of 150 to 160 for hospital-affiliated colleges, though competing at a higher score generally improves a candidate’s chances since admission slots are limited. University BNSc programmes generally set a higher aggregate requirement, in line with departmental screening standards.
- Post-UTME/Screening: Candidates who meet the cut-off are usually invited for a screening exercise, which may include an aptitude test, an interview, or both, depending on the institution.
- Age requirement: Most nursing schools set a minimum age requirement, commonly around 16 to 17 years, at the point of admission.
- Medical fitness: Candidates are required to undergo a medical examination to confirm they are physically fit for the demands of clinical training, since nursing involves extended periods of ward duty and direct patient contact.
- Direct entry (for some programmes): Candidates with a relevant prior qualification, such as a Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW) certificate or another health-related diploma, may qualify for direct entry into some Basic Midwifery or Post-Basic programmes without repeating the full duration required of fresh candidates.
School Fees for Private Nursing Schools in Anambra State
Private nursing school fees in Anambra State are generally higher than what is charged at the public university nursing programme, since private and mission-owned colleges do not receive the same level of government subvention. Fees also vary depending on whether a student is attending a standalone college of nursing (diploma-level General Nursing) or a private university running a full BNSc programme, since universities typically have a broader fee structure covering general academic charges in addition to nursing-specific costs.
As a guide, tuition and compulsory charges at hospital-affiliated private colleges of nursing in Anambra State commonly fall within the range of ₦400,000 to ₦600,000 per academic session. For example, the College of Nursing Sciences at Adazi-Nnukwu charges a total of about ₦568,000 in annual payable fees, excluding additional costs such as boarding and feeding, which are billed separately. Fees at other hospital-affiliated colleges in the state, such as St. Charles Borromeo College of Nursing Sciences in Onitsha and Millennium College of Nursing Sciences in Awka, generally sit within a similar range, though urban-based colleges with more extensive hostel facilities, specialist equipment, and smaller class sizes tend to charge somewhat more than colleges located in less urbanised parts of the state.
At the private university level, students should expect additional charges beyond tuition, since Nursing Science programmes are professional courses that typically cost more than regular science-based degrees due to laboratory, clinical, and practical training requirements. Acceptance fees at these universities generally range between ₦30,000 and ₦50,000, paid once by newly admitted students to secure their slot, separate from subsequent tuition and other charges.
Estimated Fee Comparison Table
| Institution Type | Programme Offered | Approximate Annual Fee Range (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital-affiliated colleges of nursing (e.g., St. Charles Borromeo, Adazi-Nnukwu, Millennium Awka, Apex Igbo-Ukwu, Alor) | General Nursing (3-year diploma leading to RN) | 400,000 – 600,000 |
| Private university nursing programmes (e.g., Tansian University, Shanahan University) | Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) | Tuition varies by university; acceptance fee typically 30,000 – 50,000, with total annual cost often exceeding what hospital-affiliated colleges charge once accommodation and professional practical charges are added |
These are estimated ranges only. Because fees are reviewed periodically by each institution and can change from one admission cycle to the next, prospective students should always confirm the exact current figures directly from the specific school’s admissions office or official portal before making any payment.
Additional Costs Beyond Tuition
Beyond the core tuition figure, nursing students in Anambra State’s private institutions should budget for several other recurring costs:
- Acceptance fee: A one-time, non-refundable payment made after an offer of admission, required to confirm the student’s intent to enrol.
- Hostel accommodation: Many colleges of nursing require students, particularly female students, to reside in hostel accommodation for the duration of the programme, since clinical postings often require early morning or late-night attendance at the affiliated hospital. Hostel fees vary by institution and are usually billed separately from tuition.
- Feeding and boarding: Some hospital-affiliated colleges include a structured boarding and feeding arrangement as part of the total cost, particularly during the earlier years of the programme when students are closely supervised.
- Uniform and clinical materials: Nursing students are required to purchase uniforms, instruments (such as a stethoscope and thermometer), and other clinical materials needed for ward practice.
- Examination and registration fees: Charges associated with internal examinations, as well as the eventual NMCN licensing examination fee paid before final qualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which private nursing schools are available in Anambra State?
The main private and mission-owned nursing schools in Anambra State include College of Nursing Sciences, St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital, Onitsha; College of Nursing Sciences, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Adazi-Nnukwu; Millennium College of Nursing Sciences, Awka; College of Nursing Sciences, Alor; Apex College of Nursing Sciences, Igbo-Ukwu; and the university-based nursing programmes at Tansian University, Umunya, and Shanahan University, Onitsha.
How much is school fees at private nursing schools in Anambra State?
Hospital-affiliated private colleges of nursing generally charge between ₦400,000 and ₦600,000 per session, excluding hostel and feeding costs. Private university BNSc programmes have a separate fee structure, with an acceptance fee typically between ₦30,000 and ₦50,000, in addition to tuition and other academic charges.
What is the difference between a college of nursing and a university nursing programme in Anambra State?
A college of nursing runs a three-year diploma-level General Nursing programme affiliated with a hospital, leading to the Registered Nurse certificate. A university nursing programme, such as those at Tansian University or Shanahan University, runs for about four years and leads to a full Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) degree.
What UTME score is needed for private nursing schools in Anambra State?
Most hospital-affiliated colleges of nursing set a benchmark of around 150 to 160 in UTME, though scoring higher generally improves a candidate’s chances. University BNSc programmes typically require a higher aggregate score in line with departmental screening standards.
Do private nursing schools in Anambra State require hostel accommodation?
Many colleges require or strongly encourage hostel accommodation, particularly because clinical postings demand strict attendance schedules at the affiliated hospital. Hostel and feeding costs are usually billed separately from tuition.