The College of Nursing Sciences at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, is one of the longest-running and most recognized nursing training institutions in Kaduna State. Located within the ABUTH complex in Shika, Zaria, the school trains Registered Nurses through its Basic Nursing programme and offers several post-basic and advanced diploma specialties for nurses seeking further qualification. This article covers the school fees and admission requirements for the College of Nursing Sciences, ABUTH, Zaria, for the 2026/2027 academic session.
About the College of Nursing Sciences, ABUTH, Zaria
ABUTH traces its nursing training history back to 1952, making its School of Nursing one of the oldest in Northern Nigeria. The institution operates under Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, giving students consistent access to a large, well-established clinical environment for their practical and bedside training. Beyond the Basic Nursing programme, ABUTH’s nursing training arm also runs a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Nursing Sciences for Registered Nurses who already hold an RN or RN/RM qualification and wish to advance their credentials, along with several post-basic specialty programmes such as Ophthalmic Nursing, Perioperative Nursing, Paediatric Nursing, and Anaesthesia Nursing.
Programmes Offered at the College of Nursing Sciences, ABUTH
The College of Nursing Sciences, ABUTH, Zaria, runs the following programmes:
- Basic General Nursing (leading to Registered Nurse, RN status) — 3 years
- Higher National Diploma (HND) in Nursing Sciences — for candidates who already hold RN or RN/RM status
- Post-Basic Midwifery — 1 year
- Post-Basic Ophthalmic Nursing — 12 months
- Post-Basic Perioperative Nursing — 18 months
- Post-Basic Paediatric Nursing — 1 year
- Post-Basic Anaesthesia Nursing — 1 year
The Basic Nursing programme is the school’s core offering and the entry point for most candidates without a prior nursing qualification, while the post-basic and HND programmes are designed for nurses who are already registered and licensed and want to specialize further or upgrade their qualification.
School Fees for the College of Nursing Sciences, ABUTH, Zaria 2026/2027
Tuition at ABUTH’s School of Nursing generally stays below ₦200,000 per session regardless of the specific programme a student is enrolled in, though post-basic and advanced diploma programmes can sit toward the higher end of the range. The table below sets out the general fee pattern students should expect for the 2026/2027 session.
| Programme | Duration | Estimated School Fees (₦, Per Session) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic General Nursing (RN) | 3 years | 150,000 – 200,000 |
| HND Nursing Sciences | Varies by prior qualification | Confirm with school; billed similarly to advanced diploma programmes |
| Post-Basic Midwifery | 1 year | 150,000 – 200,000 |
| Post-Basic Ophthalmic Nursing | 12 months | 150,000 – 200,000 |
| Post-Basic Perioperative Nursing | 18 months | 150,000 – 200,000 |
| Post-Basic Paediatric Nursing | 1 year | 150,000 – 200,000 |
| Post-Basic Anaesthesia Nursing | 1 year | 150,000 – 200,000 |
Beyond the tuition figure, students should also budget for hostel accommodation, which typically costs around ₦120,000 for a self-contained room within the town for students who choose not to live in less expensive shared arrangements. Since ABUTH is a federal teaching hospital-affiliated school, tuition is generally higher than what students would pay at Kaduna State College of Nursing and Midwifery, but the school offers a level of clinical exposure that comes from being directly attached to a major teaching hospital.
Additional Charges Students Should Budget For
Beyond the core tuition figure, new and returning students at the College of Nursing Sciences, ABUTH, typically pay a number of additional charges each session:
| Fee Category | Purpose | Estimated Cost (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Fee | Secures the admission slot after an offer is made | 20,000 – 30,000 |
| Registration Fee | Covers initial enrollment processing for the session | 10,000 – 15,000 |
| Examination Fee | Payment for semester and qualifying examinations | 10,000 – 15,000 |
| Medical Fee | Basic healthcare and insurance coverage for students | 10,000 – 15,000 |
| Uniform Fee | Official nursing uniform and clinical wear | 10,000 – 20,000 |
| Library Fee | Access to library facilities and resources | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| Accommodation Fee | On-campus hostel allocation, where available | 25,000 – 40,000 |
These charges are billed separately from the core tuition figure and are not optional for most students, apart from accommodation, which only applies to those who secure a place in school-managed hostel facilities rather than living off-campus.
Admission Requirements for Basic Nursing at ABUTH
Candidates applying for the Basic General Nursing programme at the College of Nursing Sciences, ABUTH, must meet the following requirements:
- O’level Requirements — a minimum of five credit passes in WASC, SSCE, or NECO, including English Language, Mathematics, and at least one of Biology, Physics, or Chemistry, along with any other relevant subject, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- JAMB/UTME Registration — all ND-level candidates are required to sit for the UTME and must meet the applicable JAMB cut-off mark for nursing programmes.
- Screening Registration — candidates are required to pay a screening registration fee, typically around ₦2,500, before proceeding to the entrance examination stage.
- Entrance Examination and Interview — candidates who meet the entry requirements are invited to sit for an entrance examination organized by the hospital’s Department of Nursing, and those who pass proceed to an oral interview before final selection.
Admission Requirements for HND Nursing Sciences at ABUTH
The HND Nursing Sciences programme at ABUTH is designed specifically for candidates who are already qualified and practising nurses. To be eligible, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Prior Nursing Qualification — candidates must already be Registered Nurses holding either an RN or RN/RM certificate.
- NMCN Registration — candidates must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and hold a current, valid practising licence.
- O’level Requirements — a minimum of five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- Computer-Based Test (CBT) — shortlisted candidates are required to sit for a CBT screening exercise as part of the selection process, with a registration fee of approximately ₦2,000 payable through the Remita platform.
Admission Requirements for Post-Basic Programmes
Candidates applying for any of ABUTH’s post-basic specialty programmes, including Midwifery, Ophthalmic Nursing, Perioperative Nursing, Paediatric Nursing, and Anaesthesia Nursing, must generally meet the following conditions:
- Hold a valid Registered Nurse (RN) qualification and be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
- Have completed at least one year of post-qualification or post-registration clinical experience, depending on the specific specialty applied for.
- Meet the same baseline O’level credit requirement of five subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, and relevant science subjects.
- Some post-basic diploma or certificate qualifications in a related area may be considered an advantage, though not always a strict requirement.
How to Apply to the College of Nursing Sciences, ABUTH
The application process at ABUTH’s School of Nursing generally follows this sequence:
- Purchase the application form through the school’s Academic Registry or the designated Remita payment platform, with the fee varying by programme — around ₦6,200 for Basic Nursing and different amounts for HND and post-basic programmes.
- Submit the completed form along with required credentials, including O’level results and, where applicable, evidence of RN registration and practising licence.
- Pay the screening or CBT registration fee and sit for the entrance examination or computer-based test as scheduled by the school.
- Attend the oral interview if shortlisted after the entrance examination.
- Receive an admission offer, pay the acceptance fee, and proceed to register and pay the full school fees before resumption.
Registration of new students typically runs for about a month from the date of resumption, and students are required to present evidence of full fee payment, along with their original credentials, during registration. The school does not accept late payment of fees under any circumstances, so candidates and their sponsors are strongly advised to have funds ready ahead of the registration period.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are the school fees at the College of Nursing Sciences, ABUTH, Zaria?
School fees generally fall between ₦150,000 and ₦200,000 per session, depending on the specific programme, with post-basic and advanced diploma programmes sometimes reaching the higher end of that range.
What are the basic admission requirements for the Basic Nursing programme?
Candidates need a minimum of five O’level credit passes including English Language, Mathematics, and a relevant science subject, along with valid UTME registration and participation in the school’s entrance examination and interview.
Can any nurse apply for the HND Nursing Sciences programme at ABUTH?
No. Only candidates who already hold RN or RN/RM status and are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria with a current practising licence are eligible to apply.
Does ABUTH offer hostel accommodation for nursing students?
Yes, though space is limited. Students who do not secure a place in school-managed hostels typically pay around ₦120,000 for a self-contained room within Zaria town.
Where can applicants confirm the exact current fees and application deadlines?
Exact, up-to-date figures and deadlines should be confirmed directly through the ABUTH Academic Registry or the hospital’s official payment platform, since fees and screening dates are reviewed each admission cycle.