The College of Nursing Sciences, Makurdi, is the principal state-owned nursing training institution in Benue State, located in the state capital and operating under the supervision of the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services. The college trains students for careers as Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives, running programmes accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). This article explains the school fees, admission requirements, available programmes, and application process for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Overview of the College of Nursing Sciences, Makurdi
Unlike a full university, the College of Nursing Sciences, Makurdi, is a specialized health training institution focused entirely on producing nursing and midwifery professionals for Benue State and the wider region. It sits alongside a small number of other nursing training centres in the state, including mission-run institutions such as the NKST College of Nursing Sciences in Mkar, but it remains the main government-owned option for candidates who want a state-subsidized nursing education in Benue. The college coordinates its admission process directly with the state Ministry of Health, which means the exercise involves not just an academic screening but also elements typical of health-sector recruitment, including an aptitude test and interview stage.
Graduates of the college earn certification as a Registered Nurse (RN) after completing the General Nursing programme, and as a Registered Midwife (RM) after completing the Midwifery programme, both of which qualify graduates to sit for NMCN licensing examinations and register formally as practising nurses or midwives in Nigeria.
Programmes Offered at the College
The College of Nursing Sciences, Makurdi, runs a small number of clearly defined programmes rather than a broad multi-department structure. The main options are:
General Nursing Science Programme: A three-year programme leading to certification as a Registered Nurse. This is the primary entry programme for candidates coming directly from secondary school with no prior nursing background.
Midwifery Programme: A programme for candidates who wish to specialize in maternal and child health, leading to certification as a Registered Midwife. Some candidates pursue this after already qualifying as a nurse, while others enter it as a direct track depending on the intake structure for a given session.
National Diploma (ND) in Nursing Sciences: Offered as a diploma-level entry route, giving candidates a nationally recognized diploma qualification in nursing sciences.
Post Basic Nursing Programme: Designed for candidates who already hold a Registered Midwife (RM) certificate and want to advance their qualification further within the nursing profession. This route is not open to fresh secondary school leavers; it specifically targets candidates already practising or certified in a related health field.
| Programme | Duration | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| General Nursing Science | 3 years | Fresh SSCE/UTME candidates, direct entry |
| Midwifery | Programme-dependent, typically 18 months to 3 years | Direct entry or post-RN candidates, depending on intake |
| ND Nursing Sciences | Diploma-level, typically 2–3 years | Fresh SSCE candidates |
| Post Basic Nursing | Advanced/short-cycle | Must already hold RM certificate |
Admission Requirements
Candidates applying to the College of Nursing Sciences, Makurdi, for the 2026/2027 session need to meet both an academic requirement and, depending on the programme, a professional qualification requirement.
For the General Nursing Science and ND Nursing Sciences programmes, a candidate needs at least five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB in not more than two sittings. It is worth noting that a NABTEB result generally cannot be combined with a result from another examination body when meeting this requirement; the college expects the credits to come either entirely from NABTEB or entirely from WAEC/NECO combinations. Candidates also need to fall within an accepted age bracket, commonly between 16 and the low thirties, though the exact age ceiling can vary slightly by session.
For candidates applying through the UTME route, the college sets a JAMB cut-off mark, generally around 170 and above, as part of the academic screening requirement. Meeting this cut-off mark is what qualifies a candidate to proceed to the college’s own internal screening stage, which includes a written aptitude test and an oral interview coordinated through the Ministry of Health.
For the Post Basic Nursing Programme specifically, a candidate must already possess a Registered Midwife (RM) certificate before applying, in addition to meeting the same underlying O’Level credit requirement in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. This programme is not open to candidates without prior nursing or midwifery certification, since it exists to build on an existing professional qualification rather than to train a candidate from the beginning.
Step-by-Step Admission Process
- Confirm the opening of the admission form sale for the intended programme (General Nursing, Midwifery, ND Nursing Sciences, or Post Basic Nursing) through the college’s official announcement or the Benue State Ministry of Health.
- Purchase and complete the application form within the stated sale period, since the college typically runs a fixed window for form sales each session.
- Submit the required O’Level results (and RM certificate, where applicable, for Post Basic candidates) along with the completed form.
- Sit for the college’s aptitude test, which assesses basic academic competence relevant to nursing training.
- Attend the oral interview stage, where shortlisted candidates are assessed further before a final admission decision.
- Check the released admission list once the college publishes it, then proceed to pay the acceptance fee to confirm the offer.
- Complete registration and pay the full school fees before the start of academic activities for the session.
School Fees at the College of Nursing Sciences, Makurdi
School fees at the College of Nursing Sciences, Makurdi, are considerably lower than what candidates would pay at a private nursing institution, since the college receives government subvention as a state-owned institution. For the 2026/2027 academic session, tuition and associated charges for a fresh student are estimated to fall between N150,000 and N200,000 per session. This range typically covers tuition, basic registration charges, and minor administrative fees bundled together, though the exact figure can differ slightly depending on the specific programme (General Nursing, Midwifery, ND, or Post Basic) and whether a candidate is an indigene of Benue State or a non-indigene, since many Nigerian state-owned health training institutions apply a differentiated fee structure favoring state indigenes.
Beyond tuition, candidates should budget for the following recurring costs:
- Acceptance fee, paid once an admission offer is confirmed, to secure the candidate’s place before registration.
- Hostel accommodation, for students who choose to live within college-provided housing rather than off-campus. Off-campus self-contained accommodation within Makurdi town runs at approximately N120,000 per session, and students should expect on-campus hostel rates to sit at a comparable or somewhat lower figure depending on room type and availability.
- Uniform and clinical practice materials, since nursing training requires specific uniforms, aprons, and basic clinical kits that students typically purchase directly rather than have included in the general tuition bill.
- Practical and laboratory fees, covering the cost of consumables used during clinical skills training and supervised hospital postings.
- Examination and registration fees with the NMCN, which apply toward the end of the programme when students prepare to sit for the professional licensing examination that confirms their status as a Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife.
Because fee schedules at state-owned nursing colleges can be revised from one session to another, and because indigene versus non-indigene rates can differ meaningfully, prospective students should confirm the exact current fee breakdown directly from the college’s admission office once the 2026/2027 admission list is released, rather than relying solely on an estimated range.
Why Choose the College of Nursing Sciences, Makurdi
Candidates interested in nursing training within Benue State generally weigh the College of Nursing Sciences, Makurdi, against the Department of Nursing Science at Benue State University, which runs a full Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) degree, and against mission-run alternatives such as the NKST College of Nursing Sciences in Mkar. The college in Makurdi offers a faster route into nursing practice through its three-year Registered Nurse pathway, at a notably lower cost than a full four to five-year university nursing degree, making it a practical option for candidates who want to begin practising sooner while still holding a fully accredited, NMCN-recognized qualification.
FAQs
What programmes does the College of Nursing Sciences, Makurdi, offer?
The college offers a General Nursing Science programme, a Midwifery programme, an ND in Nursing Sciences, and a Post Basic Nursing programme for candidates who already hold a Registered Midwife certificate.
What is the JAMB cut-off mark for the college?
Candidates applying through UTME generally need a cut-off mark of around 170 and above to qualify for the college’s screening process.
How much are the school fees for 2026/2027?
Estimated fees for a fresh student fall between N150,000 and N200,000 per session, though the exact figure can vary by programme and by indigene status.
Can a candidate without an RM certificate apply for the Post Basic Nursing Programme?
No. The Post Basic Nursing Programme is open only to candidates who already hold a Registered Midwife certificate.
Does admission depend only on O’Level results?
No. Candidates must also pass the college’s aptitude test and oral interview, coordinated through the Benue State Ministry of Health, in addition to meeting the O’Level credit requirement.