Abia State hosts a mix of government-owned and privately owned nursing training institutions, giving prospective nursing students several pathways into the profession. While government-owned schools such as the Abia State College of Nursing Sciences and the Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Umuahia, remain popular for their subsidized fees, a number of private institutions in the state also train Registered Nurses and Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) graduates. This article covers the private nursing schools operating in Abia State for the 2026/2027 academic session, what each one offers, admission requirements, and their current fee ranges.
Why Consider a Private Nursing School in Abia State
Private nursing institutions generally admit smaller cohorts, run more flexible academic calendars, and often provide closer mentorship between students and faculty compared to larger government-owned schools. Students who do not meet the cut-off mark or admission quota at a public institution, or who prefer a faith-based or smaller learning environment, frequently turn to private options. The trade-off is cost: private nursing schools and universities in Abia State charge noticeably higher fees than their government-owned counterparts, since they do not benefit from state or federal subsidies and must fund their own facilities, staffing, and clinical partnerships independently.
Private Nursing Institutions in Abia State
Archbishop Charles Heerey Memorial College of Nursing Sciences, Aba
This is a mission-owned, faith-based nursing college located in Ogbor-Hill, Aba. It runs a 3-year Basic General Nursing programme that leads to the Registered Nurse (RN) qualification and holds NMCN (Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria) accreditation, with an admission quota of around 50 students per intake. The college is organized into three departments: General Nursing, Basic Midwifery, and Public Health Nursing. It maintains hostel accommodation for students who come from outside Aba or prefer to board on campus. Fees for the Basic General Nursing programme generally range from ₦250,000 to ₦400,000 per session, which is notably higher than what government-owned schools in the state charge, but the college is known for disciplined training, close hospital-embedded clinical exposure, and a structured, mentorship-driven learning environment.
College of Nursing Sciences, Obohia-Ndoki
Located in Ukwa East Local Government Area, this college offers Basic Nursing training to students from the southern part of Abia State and neighbouring communities. It is a smaller, community-serving institution compared to the larger nursing schools in Umuahia and Aba, making it a practical option for candidates who prefer to study away from the busier Aba education corridor. Fees for this programme are generally estimated between ₦150,000 and ₦250,000 per session, though prospective applicants should confirm the current figure directly with the college, since fee structures at smaller private colleges tend to be updated less frequently online than those at larger institutions.
Gregory University, Uturu — Bachelor of Nursing Science
Gregory University is a private Christian university established in 2012 and located in Uturu, Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State. It runs a Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) programme under its College of Allied Health Sciences, admitting students through the standard JAMB UTME route followed by the university’s own Post-UTME screening. As a full university degree programme, the B.N.Sc. at Gregory University typically spans five years, culminating in a compulsory one-year internship before candidates are eligible to sit the NMCN licensing examination. Because Gregory University also runs a College of Basic Medical Sciences and a broader health sciences cluster, students benefit from shared laboratory and clinical facilities across allied health programmes. Nursing tuition at Gregory University is significantly higher than what diploma-level nursing colleges charge, generally falling in the range of ₦630,000 to ₦840,000 per session, reflecting the cost structure of a full private university degree programme rather than a standalone nursing college.
Rhema University, Aba — Bachelor of Nursing Science
Rhema University is a private university with its take-off campus along the Aba-Owerri Road in Aba, Abia State, and it runs an accredited College of Medicine and Health Sciences offering Nursing Science alongside Medicine and Surgery, Medical Laboratory Science, Optometry, and Physiotherapy. The B.N.Sc. programme at Rhema University is fully accredited by the NMCN and typically runs for four to five years, combining classroom instruction, laboratory work, and clinical placements in maternal and child nursing, medical-surgical nursing, psychiatric nursing, and community health nursing. Reported fee figures for Nursing Science at Rhema University vary depending on level and session, with some published schedules placing tuition around ₦465,000 per year and others citing a higher range of roughly ₦800,000 to ₦1,200,000 for the Nursing Science and Medical Laboratory Science programmes specifically, since these premium health-science courses cost more than the university’s general management and basic-science programmes. Given this inconsistency across sources, applicants should treat these figures as an estimate and confirm the exact, current amount directly from the university’s admissions office before making any payment.
Comparing the Private Nursing Options in Abia State
| Institution | Location | Programme Type | Duration | Fees Per Session (Estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archbishop Charles Heerey Memorial College of Nursing Sciences | Ogbor-Hill, Aba | Basic General Nursing (RN) | 3 years | ₦250,000 – ₦400,000 |
| College of Nursing Sciences, Obohia-Ndoki | Ukwa East | Basic Nursing (RN) | 3 years | ₦150,000 – ₦250,000 |
| Gregory University, Uturu | Uturu | B.N.Sc. (University Degree) | 5 years | ₦630,000 – ₦840,000 |
| Rhema University, Aba | Aba | B.N.Sc. (University Degree) | 4–5 years | ₦465,000 – ₦1,200,000 |
As the table shows, private diploma-level nursing colleges in Abia State charge considerably less than private universities offering the full B.N.Sc. degree. This is because a diploma-level RN programme trains students specifically for clinical nursing practice within three years, while a university B.N.Sc. degree includes broader general education requirements, a longer duration, and university-wide overhead costs that raise the overall tuition.
Admission Requirements for Private Nursing Schools in Abia State
Requirements differ slightly depending on whether the institution runs a diploma-level Basic Nursing programme or a full university B.N.Sc. degree.
For diploma-level Basic General Nursing programmes, such as at Archbishop Charles Heerey Memorial College or the College of Nursing Sciences, Obohia-Ndoki, candidates need five O’Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB, obtained in not more than two sittings. WAEC and NECO results can typically be combined, though NABTEB results usually cannot be combined with results from other examination bodies. Candidates must generally be at least 17 years old at the time of application, and admission is decided through the college’s own entrance examination and oral interview rather than JAMB.
For the B.N.Sc. degree programmes at Gregory University and Rhema University, candidates must register for JAMB UTME, select the relevant institution and course, and meet the university’s required cut-off mark. In addition to the UTME requirement, candidates need the same five O’Level credit passes in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, and must go through the university’s Post-UTME screening exercise before final admission is confirmed.
What the Fees Typically Cover
School fees at private nursing institutions generally cover tuition, registration, ICT and library access, examination charges, and basic clinical or laboratory usage fees. They typically do not include accommodation, uniforms, textbooks, medical screening, or the acceptance fee, all of which are billed separately. Prospective students should budget an additional ₦20,000 to ₦50,000 for the acceptance fee, ₦15,000 to ₦25,000 for uniforms, and a similar range for medical screening and other onboarding charges, on top of the tuition figures listed above.
How to Apply to a Private Nursing School in Abia State
Application procedures vary by institution type, but the general pathway follows this sequence:
- For diploma-level Basic Nursing programmes, visit the college’s official admission portal or physical admissions office to purchase the application form, which typically costs around ₦10,000.
- Complete the online or physical application form with accurate personal, contact, and academic details.
- Submit scanned or physical copies of O’Level results and any other required documents as specified by the institution.
- Sit for the entrance examination and oral interview scheduled by the college, if applying to a diploma-level programme.
- For B.N.Sc. programmes at private universities, register for JAMB UTME, select the university and course as your choice, and complete the university’s Post-UTME screening once JAMB results are released.
- Once admitted, pay the acceptance fee promptly to secure the offer, followed by the full or first-instalment tuition payment before resumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are private nursing schools in Abia State more expensive than government-owned ones?
Yes. Private nursing colleges and universities in Abia State generally charge higher fees than government-owned schools such as ABSCONS or the Federal College of Nursing, Umuahia, since they operate without state or federal subsidy.
Do I need JAMB to apply to a private nursing school in Abia State?
It depends on the programme type. Diploma-level Basic Nursing programmes at colleges such as Archbishop Charles Heerey Memorial College typically do not require JAMB, while B.N.Sc. degree programmes at private universities like Gregory University and Rhema University require JAMB UTME registration and Post-UTME screening.
Which private nursing school in Abia State is the most affordable?
Among the options covered here, the College of Nursing Sciences, Obohia-Ndoki, and diploma-level programmes generally cost less than university-based B.N.Sc. degrees, since diploma programmes run for a shorter duration and involve lower overall institutional costs.
Do these fees include accommodation and uniforms?
No. Tuition figures typically exclude accommodation, uniforms, and other onboarding charges, which are billed as separate, additional costs.
Can I confirm the exact current fees before applying?
Yes, and it is strongly advised. Fee figures at private institutions change from session to session, so applicants should always verify the exact, current amount directly from each institution’s admissions office or official portal before making any payment.