The College of Nursing Sciences, Gombe, also known locally as the College of Nursing and Midwifery, operates as a Gombe State-owned institution dedicated to training nurses and midwives for Northern Nigeria’s healthcare sector. The institution began as the Gombe State School of Nursing and Midwifery before the state government upgraded it to a full college status, expanding its academic scope beyond basic certificate training into Diploma and Higher National Diploma qualifications in nursing.
The college trains students who go on to work in general hospitals, primary healthcare centres, teaching hospitals, and private clinics across Gombe State and beyond. Because it operates under state government supervision, the institution keeps its fees considerably lower than what private nursing colleges charge, making it a realistic option for students from low- and middle-income households who want a recognized nursing qualification without heavy financial strain.
Programmes Offered at the College
The college runs three main categories of programmes, each targeting a different stage of a nursing career.
ND/HND Nursing is the entry-level programme for candidates coming straight from secondary school. It runs for four years and admits students through a combination of UTME (JAMB) and the college’s own Post-UTME screening exercise. This is the programme most fresh applicants without any prior nursing qualification apply for.
Post Basic Higher National Diploma (HND) in Nursing is a two-year, four-semester programme designed for candidates who already hold a Registered Nurse (RN) qualification and an active practising licence. It allows working nurses to upgrade their qualification to HND level without repeating the foundational years of training.
Post Basic Public Health Nursing also runs for two years and targets Registered Nurses or Registered Midwives who want to specialize in community and public health nursing rather than general clinical nursing.
Basic Midwifery trains candidates specifically in midwifery practice, covering antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care, and remains one of the college’s long-standing programmes alongside its nursing tracks.
| Programme | Duration | Entry Requirement | Who It Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ND/HND Nursing | 4 years | UTME + O’Level credits | Fresh secondary school leavers |
| Post Basic HND Nursing | 2 years (4 semesters) | Valid RN/RM licence | Practising nurses upgrading their qualification |
| Post Basic Public Health Nursing | 2 years | Valid RN/RM licence | Nurses specializing in community health |
| Basic Midwifery | 3 years | O’Level credits | Candidates pursuing midwifery practice |
Admission Requirements for ND/HND Nursing
Candidates applying for the ND/HND Nursing programme, the entry point for most secondary school leavers, must meet the following conditions:
- Age between 16 and 35 years at the point of admission.
- Five O’Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained from WAEC, NECO, GCE, or NABTEB in not more than two sittings.
- A minimum UTME (JAMB) score as fixed by the college for the admission cycle — recent sessions have set this at 160, though the exact figure can shift from year to year, so applicants should confirm the current cut-off before applying.
- The College of Nursing Sciences, Gombe selected as the candidate’s first and most preferred choice in the JAMB registration.
- Physical fitness, confirmed during the screening exercise, since the nursing profession involves demanding clinical work.
Applicants must also upload their O’Level results to JAMB CAPS through the nearest JAMB office or an accredited CBT centre. The college treats this step as mandatory; a candidate who skips it risks disqualification regardless of how strong their UTME score is.
Admission Requirements for Post Basic Programmes
The Post Basic HND Nursing and Post Basic Public Health Nursing programmes serve a different category of applicant — one who is already a practising nurse or midwife rather than a fresh school leaver. Requirements for these tracks include:
- Current registration as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Midwife (RM) with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
- A valid, up-to-date practising licence at the time of application.
- The same age bracket of 16 to 35 years applied at the point of the candidate’s original nursing admission, though practical enforcement often allows flexibility for candidates already working in the field.
- Original credentials and O’Level result printouts downloaded directly from the respective examination body’s website, since the college does not accept photocopies or screenshots at the physical screening stage.
Because Post Basic applicants already hold a professional licence, the college does not require them to sit UTME again; instead, admission depends on their existing qualification, licence status, and performance at the college’s screening and interview.
How to Apply
The application process runs entirely online through the college’s official admission portal, and candidates should follow these steps carefully to avoid errors that could disqualify their application:
- Visit the official College of Nursing Sciences, Gombe admission portal and create an account using a valid, active email address and phone number.
- Select the programme of interest — ND/HND Nursing, Post Basic HND Nursing, or Post Basic Public Health Nursing.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee through the designated payment platform, using any Nigerian bank of choice.
- Complete the online application form in full and upload all required documents, including O’Level results and, for Post Basic applicants, licence and registration documents.
- Print the application slip and completed form after successful submission.
- Submit the printed form along with passport photographs as instructed by the college, and watch for an official invitation to physical screening or an oral interview.
Application fees differ by programme. Candidates applying for ND/HND Nursing pay ₦5,000, while those applying for Post Basic HND Nursing or Post Basic Public Health Nursing pay ₦20,000. Both figures exclude any additional e-service or transaction charges added by the payment platform. These application fees are non-refundable once paid, regardless of the outcome of the candidate’s application.
School Fees at the College of Nursing Sciences, Gombe
As a state-government institution, the College of Nursing Sciences, Gombe charges tuition well below what private nursing colleges in Nigeria typically demand. Government-owned nursing colleges in comparable states generally charge between ₦80,000 and ₦250,000 per session for ND/HND Nursing, and the Gombe college’s fee structure sits within this general range, though the exact figure depends on the specific charges the college publishes for each admission cycle.
The total amount a student pays per session usually covers several separate components rather than a single lump sum:
| Fee Component | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Core academic instruction and departmental charges |
| Acceptance fee | One-time payment confirming admission offer |
| Registration/ICT fee | Course registration and computer-based systems |
| Practical/clinical fee | Laboratory and hospital clinical placement costs |
| Library and medical fee | Access to library resources and student medical services |
| Hostel fee (optional) | On-campus accommodation for students who require it |
Because fee schedules change from one academic session to the next and the college communicates exact figures directly to admitted students through official notices, applicants should treat published estimates as a guide only and confirm the precise breakdown through the college’s bursary department or official portal once they receive an admission offer. Paying money to anyone outside the official designated banks or the college’s verified payment platform exposes applicants to the risk of fraud, and the college has repeatedly warned candidates against acting on unofficial admission offers or fee demands.
Why Applicants Choose This College
Several factors draw applicants to the College of Nursing Sciences, Gombe rather than private alternatives. Tuition remains significantly lower than what private nursing institutions charge for the same ND or HND qualification. The college also offers a direct pathway for practising nurses to upgrade their qualifications through the Post Basic HND route without having to enrol in a full degree programme elsewhere. Its location within Gombe State additionally gives indigenes of the state and neighbouring areas convenient access to clinical placement sites and reduces the cost of relocation that students from farther regions would otherwise bear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the College of Nursing Sciences, Gombe require UTME for all its programmes?
No. UTME applies to the ND/HND Nursing programme for fresh applicants. Post Basic HND Nursing and Post Basic Public Health Nursing do not require UTME, since these programmes admit already-licensed nurses and midwives based on their professional qualification and screening performance.
Can a candidate with credits obtained in three sittings apply?
No. The college accepts O’Level credits obtained in a maximum of two sittings for the ND/HND Nursing programme. Candidates with credits spread across more than two sittings do not meet the minimum requirement.
Is the application fee refundable if a candidate is not offered admission?
No. Application fees for all programmes at the college are non-refundable, regardless of whether the applicant proceeds to screening or receives an admission offer.
How much does the ND/HND Nursing programme cost per session?
The college does not fix a single nationwide figure, and tuition varies slightly by session. Applicants should expect charges broadly comparable to other state-owned nursing colleges in Nigeria and should confirm the exact current breakdown directly from the college’s bursary office after admission.