The College of Nursing Sciences, Ilorin, also known as the Kwara State College of Nursing and Midwifery, is a state government-owned institution dedicated to training registered nurses and midwives for service across Kwara State and beyond. The college is distinct from the College of Nursing Sciences run by the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), even though both institutions operate within Ilorin and both train nursing professionals. The Kwara State college runs under the state’s health training board rather than the teaching hospital’s management structure, and it offers programmes recognized by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), the professional body responsible for licensing nurses to practise in Nigeria.
This article explains what it costs to study at the College of Nursing Sciences, Ilorin, what academic qualifications a candidate needs, and how the admission process works for the 2026/2027 academic session.
About the College of Nursing Sciences, Ilorin
The college trains students for the General Nursing Programme, a three-year course that leads to registration as a Registered Nurse (RN) with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria upon successful completion and passing of the professional licensing examination. Beyond the General Nursing Programme, the college also runs a Post-Basic Nursing Programme, a two-year course designed for candidates who already hold a General Nursing certificate and want to specialize further in a particular area of clinical practice. Admission into the Post-Basic Nursing Programme typically requires candidates to have worked for a minimum period after their initial registration as a nurse, since the programme builds on practical experience already gained in the field. The college conducts its own entrance examination and screening process for prospective students, separate from the general JAMB admission cycle used by universities, though JAMB registration now plays a role in the admission pathway as well.
School Fees at the College of Nursing Sciences, Ilorin
The college applies a fee structure that varies based on two factors: whether the student is an indigene of Kwara State or a non-indigene, and whether the student is enrolled in the General Nursing (Basic Nursing) programme or the Post-Basic Nursing programme. Non-indigenes consistently pay more than indigenes across both programme types, which is standard practice among state-owned nursing colleges in Nigeria.
| Programme | Kwara State Indigenes | Non-Indigenes |
|---|---|---|
| General/Basic Nursing (Per Session) | ₦89,300 | ₦104,000 |
| Post-Basic Nursing (Per Session) | ₦121,000 | ₦136,000 |
These figures represent the core tuition and academic charges for the session. They generally exclude the non-refundable application form fee, which currently stands at approximately ₦17,800 and is paid online through the college’s admission portal at the point of application, before a candidate is even considered for the entrance examination. Hostel accommodation is also billed separately from tuition, and students who prefer not to compete for limited on-campus hostel space can typically find lodging within Ilorin town for around ₦120,000 per session, depending on the type of accommodation chosen.
Because fees at state-owned nursing colleges are reviewed periodically in line with government policy, and because the exact figures can shift slightly from one admission cycle to the next, prospective students should treat the amounts above as a reliable estimate rather than a fixed figure and should always confirm the current tuition schedule directly through the college’s official portal or the Bursary Unit before making any payment.
Admission Requirements for the General Nursing Programme
Gaining admission into the College of Nursing Sciences, Ilorin is competitive, and candidates need to satisfy both O’Level and, in recent admission cycles, JAMB requirements before they can be considered for a place.
For O’Level requirements, a candidate needs a minimum of five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, obtained in not more than two sittings. The college accepts several combinations of examination bodies for these credits: a combination of two WAEC sittings, a combination of WAEC and NECO, or a combination of two NECO sittings is acceptable, while NABTEB results must be obtained entirely in a single sitting rather than combined across multiple sittings or combined with WAEC or NECO results.
For JAMB requirements, recent admission cycles have required candidates to score at least 180 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. Candidates who did not initially select the College of Nursing Sciences, Ilorin as their institution of choice during JAMB registration must visit a JAMB office or a JAMB-accredited CBT centre to process a formal change of institution before their application can proceed.
For the Post-Basic Nursing Programme specifically, candidates need to already hold a General Nursing certificate from a recognized institution and be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. Most Post-Basic Nursing tracks also require candidates to have worked for at least one year after their initial registration in a relevant area of clinical specialization, along with proof of sponsorship by a parent, benefactor, employer, or sponsoring institution.
How to Apply for Admission
The application process for the College of Nursing Sciences, Ilorin runs through the college’s dedicated online portal, and candidates should follow the steps below in sequence:
- Visit the college’s official application portal and locate the instructions section, which outlines the full registration procedure before a candidate begins.
- Click on the applicant form link and ensure an active email address and phone number are ready, since these are required throughout the registration process.
- Fill in the requested personal details, including surname, first name, other names, email address, JAMB registration number, and phone number, then proceed to verify and make payment.
- Pay the non-refundable application form fee of approximately ₦17,800 using a valid ATM card, entering the card number, expiry date, CVV, and card PIN as prompted.
- After successful payment, an application number is generated. Return to the portal homepage and log in using the applicant login option with the application number and surname.
- Complete the remaining fields on the application form, including personal details, choice of programme, O’Level result information, passport photograph upload, and the required declaration or attestation.
- Print the completed application form and payment receipt, and take note of the entrance examination schedule, which is typically printed alongside the application form.
Candidates who applied through JAMB but did not initially select the College of Nursing Sciences, Ilorin as their institution should complete the change of institution process before or alongside this application, since the college verifies JAMB registration details as part of screening.
Entrance Examination and Screening
The College of Nursing Sciences, Ilorin conducts its own Computer-Based Test as part of the screening process, held at the college’s CBT centre in Ilorin. Candidates who scored the required JAMB minimum and meet the O’Level credit requirements sit for this examination, which tests foundational knowledge relevant to nursing training. Successful candidates typically proceed to a further screening stage, which may include document verification and, depending on the session, an oral interview. Candidates should bring original copies of their O’Level results and other supporting documents to any physical screening stage, since the college, like most nursing training institutions in Nigeria, does not accept awaiting results at this point in the process.
Choosing Between General Nursing and Post-Basic Nursing
Prospective students should be clear about which programme fits their current qualifications before applying. The General Nursing Programme suits candidates coming directly from secondary school or those who have not yet trained as a nurse, since it is the foundational three-year course that leads to initial registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. The Post-Basic Nursing Programme, on the other hand, is designed for candidates who are already Registered Nurses and want to build specialized expertise in a particular clinical area, such as paediatric nursing, midwifery, or another advanced practice area. Applying for the wrong track wastes both time and the non-refundable application fee, so candidates should confirm which programme matches their current qualification level before beginning the online application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the College of Nursing Sciences, Ilorin the same as UITH’s College of Nursing Sciences?
No. They are separate institutions. The College of Nursing Sciences, Ilorin operates under the Kwara State Government’s health training structure, while UITH’s College of Nursing Sciences operates under the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital’s management. Both are located in Ilorin and both train nurses, but they run independent admission processes and fee structures.
How much does the General Nursing Programme cost per session?
Kwara State indigenes pay approximately ₦89,300 per session, while non-indigenes pay approximately ₦104,000 per session, excluding the application fee and hostel accommodation.
Is JAMB required for admission?
Yes. Recent admission cycles require a minimum JAMB score of 180, along with the standard five O’Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Can NABTEB results be combined with WAEC or NECO for admission?
No. NABTEB results must be obtained in a single sitting and cannot be combined with WAEC or NECO results to make up the required five credits.
What is required for the Post-Basic Nursing Programme specifically?
Candidates need an existing General Nursing certificate, current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, at least one year of post-registration work experience in a relevant specialization, and proof of sponsorship.