The College of Nursing Sciences, Minna, is one of the health training institutions in Niger State that prepares candidates for a career as Registered Nurses through the National Diploma (ND) in Nursing Science and related nursing programmes. Anyone planning to apply for the 2026/2027 academic session needs accurate information on what the school requires for admission and how much a session costs. This article lays out both areas in detail, along with the application process and other relevant facts prospective students should know before applying.
About the College of Nursing Sciences, Minna
The College of Nursing Sciences, Minna, operates as part of the network of nursing training institutions in Niger State, with sister campuses located in Bida and Kontagora. The college trains students to become professional nurses and midwives under the regulatory framework of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), the body responsible for accrediting nursing schools and licensing nurses in the country. Graduates of the college sit for NMCN-administered professional examinations after completing their programme, and passing those examinations qualifies them to register and practise as Registered Nurses (RN) or Registered Midwives (RM) in Nigeria.
Admission into the ND Nursing Science programme at the college is now processed through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), meaning candidates must sit for the UTME and meet the institution’s approved cut-off mark before they can proceed to the college’s own screening exercise. This shift to JAMB-based admission aligns the college with the standard process used by most tertiary nursing and health training institutions across the country.
Programmes Offered
The primary programme at the College of Nursing Sciences, Minna, is the National Diploma (ND) in Nursing Science, a full-time programme designed for candidates coming directly from secondary school with a strong science background. Some nursing colleges in the Niger State system, including affiliated campuses, also run additional tracks such as Post-Basic Nursing programmes for candidates who already hold a nursing qualification and want to specialise further, as well as Community Health and Midwifery-related programmes depending on the specific campus and the accreditation the college holds in a given session. Candidates should confirm with the college directly which of these additional programmes are open for admission in the 2026/2027 session, since not all tracks run every year.
Admission Requirements for 2026/2027
To qualify for consideration into the ND Nursing Science programme, a candidate must meet both the academic (O’Level and UTME) requirements and the administrative requirements set by the college.
O’Level requirements: A candidate needs a minimum of five credit passes, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. These results can be combined from a maximum of two sittings, and only WAEC and NECO results are typically accepted for the combination; results from other examination bodies should be confirmed directly with the college’s admissions office.
UTME requirement: Candidates must sit for the JAMB UTME and select the College of Nursing Sciences, Minna, or apply through the appropriate institutional code where the college is listed. The minimum JAMB score generally accepted for nursing admission in this category of institution sits around 140, though this figure can be reviewed by the college or by NMCN guidelines from one session to another, so candidates should verify the exact cut-off once JAMB registration for the session opens.
Screening exercise: After meeting the JAMB benchmark, candidates proceed to the college’s own post-UTME screening, which typically involves a written entrance examination and, in many nursing colleges, an oral interview. The screening tests candidates on basic science knowledge (particularly Biology and Chemistry) and general aptitude relevant to nursing training.
Age requirement: Most nursing colleges in Nigeria, including those regulated under the Niger State system, require candidates to be within a specific age range, usually not younger than 16 and not older than a set upper limit (commonly around 35 years) at the point of admission. Candidates should confirm the exact age bracket with the college, as this is strictly enforced by NMCN accreditation standards.
The table below summarises the core requirements at a glance.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| O’Level credits | Minimum of 5 credits: English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Sittings allowed | Maximum of 2 (WAEC/NECO combination) |
| UTME | Compulsory; minimum score around 140 |
| Screening | Written entrance examination and interview after JAMB |
| Age limit | Typically 16–35 years at the point of admission (confirm with the college) |
| Regulatory body | Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) |
Application Process
- Register for the JAMB UTME and select the College of Nursing Sciences, Minna, as your institution of choice, using the correct institutional code where applicable.
- Sit for the UTME and ensure your score meets or exceeds the college’s approved cut-off mark for the session.
- Visit the college’s official application portal to register for the post-UTME screening exercise once the sales period opens.
- Pay the non-refundable screening or application fee, generally in the range of ₦10,000 to ₦15,000, directly through the official portal or approved bank channels only. Candidates should be cautious of unauthorised third parties or unofficial websites claiming to sell forms or process payments on the college’s behalf.
- Complete the online application form with your bio-data, O’Level result details, and JAMB registration number, then upload the required documents.
- Attend the screening exercise (written test and interview) on the scheduled date.
- Successful candidates are placed on the admission list and are required to complete registration, including payment of school fees, before resumption.
Documents Required for Registration
Candidates who scale through screening and are offered admission typically need to submit the following at registration:
- Original and photocopies of O’Level result(s) (WAEC/NECO)
- JAMB result slip and registration printout
- Birth certificate or age declaration
- Local government or state of origin identification
- Passport photographs (in the specified format and background)
- Medical fitness report, since nursing training involves clinical practice and requires candidates to be certified medically fit
School Fees at the College of Nursing Sciences, Minna, for 2026/2027
Nursing school fees in Niger State institutions, including the College of Nursing Sciences, Minna, cover tuition, registration, library access, examination charges, clinical posting fees, uniform costs, and other administrative levies bundled into the total session invoice. Based on the pattern observed across nursing colleges of this type in Minna, new and returning students should expect fees within the following approximate range for a session:
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Screening/application fee (one-time, before admission) | ₦10,000 – ₦15,000 |
| Tuition and school fees per session | ₦150,000 – ₦200,000 |
| Hostel accommodation (self-contained, per session) | Around ₦100,000 |
| Acceptance fee (one-time, upon admission) | Confirm with the college’s bursary |
These figures are estimates drawn from the general fee pattern of nursing colleges in Minna and are subject to review by the school’s management from one session to another. Since nursing training also involves compulsory clinical postings in affiliated teaching or general hospitals, students should budget separately for uniforms, clinical instruments (such as a stethoscope, thermometer, and other basic nursing kits), and transportation to and from posting sites, as these are usually not included in the core tuition figure. Many nursing colleges, including those in this category, allow fees to be paid in instalments to ease the burden on parents and guardians, though this arrangement is generally at the discretion of the college’s management and may attract conditions such as a deadline for full payment before final-year clearance or examinations.
Duration of the Programme
The ND Nursing Science programme at the College of Nursing Sciences, Minna, typically runs for a minimum of three years, in line with the curriculum structure approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for basic nursing training in Nigeria. This includes both classroom instruction in nursing theory, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and related subjects, as well as supervised clinical practice in hospital settings. Upon successful completion of coursework and clinical requirements, graduates sit for the NMCN final qualifying examination before being licensed to practise as Registered Nurses.
Career Pathways After Graduation
Graduates of the College of Nursing Sciences, Minna, who pass their NMCN licensing examination can work in federal and state teaching hospitals, general hospitals, primary health care centres, private clinics, and other healthcare facilities across Nigeria. Registered Nurses from Nigerian institutions, including graduates from Niger State’s nursing colleges, are also positioned for opportunities in international nursing practice in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, subject to meeting the specific licensing and immigration requirements of those countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is admission into the College of Nursing Sciences, Minna, only through JAMB?
Yes. Admission into the ND Nursing Science programme is now processed exclusively through JAMB, followed by the college’s own post-UTME screening exercise.
What is the minimum JAMB score required?
The minimum UTME score generally accepted is around 140, though candidates should confirm the exact figure for the 2026/2027 session once JAMB registration opens, as cut-off marks can be adjusted yearly.
How much are the school fees per session?
Tuition and related charges typically fall between ₦150,000 and ₦200,000 per session, excluding hostel accommodation, uniforms, and clinical materials, which are budgeted separately.
Can O’Level results from more than two sittings be used?
No. The college accepts a maximum combination of two sittings, and typically only WAEC and NECO results are accepted for that combination.
How long does the ND Nursing programme take to complete?
The programme runs for a minimum of three years, covering both theoretical instruction and supervised clinical practice, in line with NMCN’s approved curriculum for basic nursing training.