The Kogi State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Obangede, commonly referred to as the College of Nursing Sciences, Obangede or KGSCNM, is the premier state-owned nursing training institution in Kogi State. The college holds full accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and has, over the years, produced thousands of registered nurses who now practise in hospitals and healthcare facilities across Nigeria and abroad. In a significant recent development, the college secured approval from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to run the Higher National Diploma (HND) Nursing programme, and admission into this upgraded track is now conducted through the standard JAMB UTME process rather than an internal entrance examination alone.
This article sets out what it costs to study at the College of Nursing Sciences, Obangede, what qualifications a candidate needs, and how the admission process works for the 2026/2027 academic session.
About the College of Nursing Sciences, Obangede
The college is located in Obangede, within Kogi State, and operates under the state government’s health training structure. It runs a National Diploma (ND) Nursing Sciences programme, a Higher National Diploma (HND) Nursing Sciences programme, a Basic Midwifery programme, and a Post-Basic Nursing programme for candidates who already hold a nursing qualification and wish to specialize further. With the recent NBTE approval, the ND/HND Nursing Programme now runs as a four-year track, aligning the college’s structure with the kind of nursing education upgrade that several state nursing colleges across Nigeria have adopted in recent admission cycles. Graduates of the General Nursing and Midwifery programmes register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria upon passing the professional licensing examination, which qualifies them to practise as Registered Nurses (RN) or Registered Midwives (RM) in healthcare facilities nationwide.
School Fees at College of Nursing Sciences, Obangede
Fees at KGSCNM Obangede vary by programme, and the college is generally positioned as one of the more affordable college-level nursing institutions in Kogi State when compared to the state’s private nursing colleges. The table below sets out the estimated annual fee for each programme the college runs.
| Programme | Estimated Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| ND Nursing Sciences | ₦250,000 – ₦300,000 |
| HND Nursing Sciences | ₦280,000 – ₦350,000 |
| Basic Midwifery | ₦200,000 – ₦280,000 |
| Post-Basic Nursing | ₦250,000 – ₦350,000 |
These figures represent tuition and standard academic charges for a full academic session. They generally exclude the non-refundable application/admission form fee, which currently stands at approximately ₦15,000 and is paid at the point of applying, along with acceptance fees, hostel accommodation, uniform and clinical materials, and other one-time charges that typically apply to newly admitted students. New students at the college generally pay more than returning students in their second, third, or fourth year, since several charges such as matriculation fees, ID cards, and orientation-related costs apply only once, during the first year of admission.
Compared to some of the private nursing colleges within Kogi State, where annual fees can run as high as ₦550,000 to ₦700,000, KGSCNM Obangede sits at a noticeably more accessible price point, which is one reason it remains the most popular nursing training destination for Kogi State indigenes and a strong option for candidates from neighbouring states as well. Because school fees at state-owned nursing colleges are reviewed periodically in line with government policy, prospective and returning students should always confirm the current tuition schedule directly through the college’s official website or the school’s bursary office before making any payment.
Admission Requirements for College of Nursing Sciences, Obangede
Admission into KGSCNM Obangede is competitive, and candidates need to satisfy both O’Level and JAMB requirements before they can be considered for a place in any of the college’s programmes.
O’Level Requirements
Candidates need a minimum of five credit passes, including English Language and either Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Health Science, obtained in not more than two sittings at WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB. The complete recommended combination for the General Nursing and ND/HND Nursing tracks covers English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, since these subjects form the scientific foundation that later coursework in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and clinical nursing practice builds on.
JAMB Requirements
For the 2026/2027 admission cycle, applicants must have chosen the College of Nursing Sciences, Obangede as either their first or second choice institution in the 2026 JAMB examination, with an aggregate score of not less than 180. Candidates who did not initially select the college as their choice institution must process a formal change of institution through JAMB, ensuring the college’s correct name appears on their JAMB profile before their application is considered valid. This requirement applies specifically to the ND/HND Nursing Programme, which now runs through the standard UTME admission pathway following the college’s NBTE approval for the HND track.
Other General Requirements
- A minimum age of 16 years at the time of application.
- No physical deformity of the hands, since clinical nursing practice requires full manual capability.
- No criminal record.
- For the Post-Basic Nursing Programme, candidates need an existing General Nursing qualification, current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, and typically at least one year of post-registration clinical work experience in a relevant area of specialization, along with proof of sponsorship from a parent, employer, or sponsoring institution.
How to Apply for Admission
The application process for KGSCNM Obangede follows the standard pattern used by most state-owned nursing colleges in Nigeria, combining JAMB registration with the college’s own application and screening process:
- Register for JAMB UTME and select College of Nursing Sciences, Obangede as your first or second choice institution, using the correct subject combination of English Language, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Visit the official KGSCNM Obangede website to access the admission application portal once the sale of forms opens.
- Pay the non-refundable admission form fee, currently around ₦15,000, through the payment channel indicated on the portal.
- Complete the online application form with your personal details, JAMB registration number, O’Level result information, and choice of programme.
- Upload the required supporting documents, including scanned copies of your O’Level results, passport photographs, and JAMB result slip.
- Submit the completed application and print a copy of the form and payment receipt for your records.
- Monitor the portal for updates on the entrance examination or screening exercise schedule, and note the closing date for form submission for the session.
Candidates who did not initially list the college on their JAMB form must complete the change of institution process at a JAMB office or an accredited JAMB CBT centre before or alongside submitting their college application, since the college verifies this detail as part of the eligibility check.
Screening and Entrance Examination
Even after meeting the JAMB score requirement, candidates typically go through an additional screening process conducted by the college itself. This generally involves verification of academic documents and may include a written or computer-based screening test, depending on the specific admission cycle. Candidates should keep original copies of their O’Level results, birth certificate, and any other requested documents ready for physical verification, since colleges of this type generally do not accept awaiting results at the screening or interview stage. Successful candidates are then placed on the college’s admission list and proceed to complete registration, including payment of the appropriate session fee for their programme.
Choosing the Right Programme at KGSCNM Obangede
Prospective students should be clear about which of the college’s programmes matches their current academic standing and career goal before applying. Candidates coming directly from secondary school with no prior nursing qualification should apply for the ND/HND Nursing Sciences track, which now runs as a four-year, JAMB-based programme following the college’s recent NBTE approval. Candidates specifically interested in maternal and child health should consider the Basic Midwifery programme, which trains students to register as Midwives with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. Candidates who are already Registered Nurses and want to build advanced clinical expertise in a specific area should apply for the Post-Basic Nursing Programme instead, since this track is designed for practising nurses rather than first-time applicants. Selecting the wrong track wastes both the non-refundable application fee and valuable admission time, so candidates should confirm which programme matches their current qualification before beginning the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is JAMB required for admission into KGSCNM Obangede?
Yes, for the ND/HND Nursing Programme. Candidates must have chosen the college as their first or second choice in the JAMB examination with an aggregate score of at least 180 for the 2026/2027 admission cycle.
How much does the ND Nursing Sciences programme cost per session?
Tuition for the ND Nursing Sciences programme is estimated between ₦250,000 and ₦300,000 per session, excluding the application fee and other one-time charges for new students.
Does the college offer an HND Nursing programme?
Yes. KGSCNM Obangede recently received NBTE approval to run the HND Nursing Sciences programme, and admission into this track now goes through JAMB.
What O’Level subjects are required for admission?
Candidates need five credit passes including English Language and either Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Health Science, though the recommended full combination for Nursing includes English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Is KGSCNM Obangede cheaper than other nursing colleges in Kogi State?
Yes, relative to the state’s private nursing colleges. KGSCNM Obangede’s fees are generally lower than those of private institutions such as Nana College of Nursing Sciences or Okunland College of Nursing Sciences, though university-based Bachelor of Nursing Science programmes at Federal University Lokoja can be even more affordable.