Delta State hosts a mix of state-run schools of nursing and privately owned nursing institutions, and the two categories differ significantly in cost, structure, and admission pattern. This article focuses specifically on the private options: standalone private nursing colleges and private universities in Delta State that run accredited nursing programmes, along with what each currently charges for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Why Choose a Private Nursing School in Delta State
Public schools of nursing in Delta State, such as the Delta State School of Nursing in Agbor and the School of Nursing in Warri, admit a limited number of candidates each session because of quota restrictions set by government funding and available clinical placement slots. Private nursing institutions exist partly to absorb the large pool of qualified applicants who cannot secure a spot in these government-run schools. A private nursing school typically offers smaller class sizes, more flexible admission timelines, and in some cases, additional supplementary intakes when the first admission list fills up. The trade-off is cost: private nursing education in Delta State costs more than public options, sometimes by a wide margin, because these institutions do not receive government subvention and must fund their own facilities, staff, and hospital partnerships independently.
List of Private Nursing Schools in Delta State
Three main categories of institutions offer nursing training under private ownership in Delta State:
- Standalone private colleges of nursing sciences – these run the three-year Basic Nursing (Registered Nurse) and Basic Midwifery programmes regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), and sometimes an additional National Diploma (ND) Nursing track.
- Private universities offering a Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) – these run a full university degree programme, typically lasting four to five years, and are regulated by both the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the NMCN.
- Hospital-affiliated nursing colleges – nursing colleges attached to a private hospital network, where students train partly within the hospital’s own wards and facilities.
The table below summarises the main private nursing training options currently available in Delta State.
| Institution | Location | Programme Type | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lily College of Nursing Sciences | Warri | Basic Nursing (RN), Basic Midwifery (RM), Community Nursing | Hospital-affiliated private college |
| Anchor College of Nursing Sciences | Asaba | Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, ND Nursing | Standalone private college |
| Novena University | Ogume/Kwale | Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) | Private university |
| Western Delta University | Oghara | Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) | Private university |
Each of these institutions is worth examining individually, since their fee structures and admission routes are not identical.
Lily College of Nursing Sciences, Warri
Lily College of Nursing Sciences was established in 1984 and operates under Lily Hospitals Limited, one of Delta State’s long-running private healthcare networks. The college runs a three-year, six-semester Basic Nursing programme leading to registration as a Registered Nurse, alongside a Basic Midwifery track and a two-year Community Nursing programme. Because the college is attached to a functioning hospital group, students complete much of their clinical training within Lily Hospitals’ own wards, which gives them earlier and more consistent exposure to real patient care compared to students who depend solely on external hospital placements.
Admission requires five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings of WASSCE, NECO, or an equivalent examination, or one sitting if the results come from NABTEB. For candidates applying to the ND Nursing route, a JAMB score of at least 140 is required in addition to these credit passes. Applicants must also be at least 16 years old at the time of application.
Tuition at Lily College of Nursing Sciences falls within an estimated ₦150,000 to ₦200,000 per academic session, which places it among the more moderately priced private nursing options in the state. This figure covers tuition and standard institutional charges, though students should budget separately for uniforms, textbooks, hostel accommodation, and clinical practicals, which are billed independently in most nursing colleges. Application into the programme also requires a separate, non-refundable form fee, distinct from the tuition itself.
Anchor College of Nursing Sciences, Asaba
Anchor College of Nursing Sciences is a standalone private institution located near Deeper Life Camp along Celestine Emelone Close in Asaba. It is accredited by the NMCN and runs Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery programmes, as well as an ND Nursing track that requires JAMB participation.
For the Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery programmes, admission is based mainly on the college’s own entrance examination rather than JAMB, which makes the college accessible to candidates who did not sit for or did not score well in the UTME. Candidates applying for the ND Nursing programme, however, need a JAMB score of 150 or above, followed by post-UTME screening.
Entry requirements mirror the standard nursing admission criteria used across Nigeria: five credit passes at SSCE level, including English Language and either Physics, Chemistry, or Biology/Health Science, obtained in not more than two sittings. Because Anchor College is a relatively newer private institution compared to Lily College, prospective students are advised to confirm the exact current session fee directly from the college’s admission office or its official channels before making any payment, since fee figures circulating informally can vary and are not always consistent with what the college itself charges.
Novena University, Ogume (Kwale)
Novena University is a private Catholic institution located in Ogume, within Kwale in Delta State. It runs a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree through its College of Applied Health Sciences, giving students a full university nursing education rather than the diploma-style training offered at standalone nursing colleges. Graduates leave with a bachelor’s degree, which can open more pathways into postgraduate nursing study, teaching, and specialised clinical roles compared to a diploma-only qualification.
Admission requires the standard five O’Level credits in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, along with a competitive UTME score, since Nursing Science is one of the more sought-after programmes at the university.
For the 2026/2027 session, fresh students at Novena University pay an acceptance fee, alongside tuition and other mandatory charges that combine to place total first-year cost for Nursing Science in the region of ₦500,000 to ₦800,000, inclusive of accommodation and other compulsory charges. This is considerably higher than the standalone nursing colleges discussed earlier, reflecting the difference between a diploma-style nursing college and a full private university degree programme. Returning students typically pay less than fresh students, since fresh students absorb one-time charges such as acceptance and initial registration fees that do not recur in subsequent years.
Western Delta University, Oghara
Western Delta University (WDU) is a privately owned institution in Oghara, Delta State, which received its operating licence from the National Universities Commission in 2007 and began teaching in January 2008. It offers a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree through its College of Applied Health Sciences.
WDU markets itself as one of the more affordable private universities in Nigeria, with base tuition for its Health Sciences and Medicine-adjacent programmes, including Nursing, set at approximately ₦150,000 to ₦200,000 for the 100 and 200 levels, considerably lower than tuition for Nursing Science at several other private universities in the region. Arts and Education programmes at WDU cost less, starting from around ₦70,000, which illustrates how much more nursing and other health-related programmes cost compared to non-clinical courses at the same institution, largely because of the laboratory equipment, clinical supervision, and hospital placement arrangements nursing training requires.
Accommodation at WDU starts from around ₦45,000 per session for shared rooms, and the university offers internal financial incentives, including a bursary for students who maintain a first-class grade average, which can help offset cost for high-performing students over the course of the programme.
Comparing Fee Ranges Across Private Nursing Options in Delta State
The fee gap between standalone private nursing colleges and private universities offering nursing degrees is significant, and understanding this gap helps candidates plan realistically before applying.
| Institution Type | Approximate First-Year Cost | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone private nursing college (e.g. Lily College) | ₦150,000 – ₦200,000 | Tuition and standard institutional charges |
| Standalone private nursing college (e.g. Anchor College) | Fee varies by session; confirm with the college directly | Tuition and standard institutional charges |
| Private university nursing degree (e.g. Western Delta University) | ₦150,000 – ₦200,000 | Tuition for the nursing programme |
| Private university nursing degree (e.g. Novena University) | ₦500,000 – ₦800,000 | Tuition, accommodation, and other compulsory charges |
As the table shows, cost does not always scale directly with the type of institution. A private university degree is not automatically more expensive than a standalone college; the specific institution matters more than the category it falls under. Candidates should treat any fee figure found online, including the ones in this article, as an estimate for planning purposes and confirm the exact current amount from the institution’s official admission office before making payment, since private institutions revise their fees from one session to another based on operating costs.
General Admission Requirements for Private Nursing Schools in Delta State
Regardless of which private nursing school a candidate applies to, certain requirements repeat across almost all of them:
- A minimum of five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (or Health Science, where applicable), obtained in not more than two sittings of WASSCE, NECO, or GCE O’Level, or one sitting where NABTEB results are used.
- A minimum age requirement, usually 16 years and above at the point of application.
- A completed application form purchased directly from the institution, submitted alongside evidence of the required non-refundable application fee.
- For ND Nursing and university-based Bachelor of Nursing Science programmes, a JAMB UTME registration and a competitive score, followed by the institution’s post-UTME screening.
- For Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery diploma programmes at standalone colleges, admission is often based on the institution’s own entrance examination and interview rather than JAMB, though this varies by college and should be confirmed directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a private nursing school more expensive than a public one in Delta State?
Yes. Public schools of nursing in Delta State, being government-funded, charge considerably less than private options. Private nursing colleges and universities set their own fees independently and typically charge several times more than public institutions for the same category of programme.
Do private nursing schools in Delta State require JAMB?
It depends on the programme. Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery diploma tracks at standalone private colleges often admit through the institution’s own entrance examination, while ND Nursing and university-level Bachelor of Nursing Science programmes require JAMB UTME registration and post-UTME screening.
How long does it take to complete a private nursing programme in Delta State?
Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery diploma programmes run for three years. Bachelor of Nursing Science degree programmes at private universities generally run for four to five years, depending on the institution’s curriculum structure.
Are graduates of private nursing colleges in Delta State recognised the same way as public school graduates?
Yes, as long as the institution is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). Accreditation, not ownership type, determines whether a graduate is eligible for professional registration and licensing as a nurse or midwife.
Can nursing school fees be paid in instalments at these institutions?
Most private nursing colleges and universities in Delta State require full payment of tuition for the session upfront and do not offer instalment plans, though candidates should confirm this directly with their chosen institution, as policies can differ or change from one session to the next.