The College of Nursing Sciences, Oke-Ode, sits in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State and ranks among the state’s established institutions for nursing training. It operates under the regulatory oversight of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), which means graduates who complete their programme and pass the council’s licensing examination qualify to practice as registered nurses anywhere in Nigeria. This article sets out the school’s admission requirements, the current fee structure, and other practical details a prospective applicant needs before applying for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Overview of the Institution
The college is commonly referred to as Kwara State College of Nursing Sciences, Oke-Ode, or by its short form, KWCONOO. It runs two main tracks of nursing training: the General Nursing programme (also called Basic Nursing), which trains students from entry level to Registered Nurse status, and the Post Basic Nursing programme, a shorter track designed for candidates who already hold a related qualification, such as Registered Midwives seeking to add a General Nursing certification.
Because the school is government-owned at the state level, its fees are considerably lower than what a private nursing institution or university charges, and this affordability is one of the main reasons it draws applicants from within and outside Kwara State every admission cycle. The trade-off is that admission is competitive, entry is regulated through JAMB and an internal screening exercise, and the intake quota is limited by NMCN accreditation terms.
Programmes Offered
The General Nursing (Basic Nursing) programme runs for three years and is open to candidates coming directly from secondary school with the science-track credits required for nursing. It combines classroom instruction in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and nursing theory with supervised clinical placement in affiliated hospitals, preparing students for the NMCN licensing examination at the end of the programme.
The Post Basic Nursing programme runs for two years and targets candidates who already hold a related certificate, most commonly Registered Midwives who want to add General Nursing qualification to their credentials, or nurses seeking an upgrade in scope of practice. This track condenses foundational content that Post Basic candidates have typically already covered in their first qualification, focusing instead on advanced clinical modules.
Some admission cycles have also referenced an ND/HND Nursing option lasting up to four years in total (two years for the National Diploma stage and two more for the Higher National Diploma stage). Applicants interested in this specific track should confirm directly with the school’s admissions office which programme structure is active for the session they are applying to, since nursing training institutions periodically adjust their programme offerings in line with NMCN and regulatory updates.
Admission Requirements
To qualify for a place in the General Nursing programme, a candidate must meet the following conditions:
- A minimum of five credit passes in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), the National Examinations Council (NECO), the General Certificate of Education (GCE), or the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), obtained in not more than two sittings. The five credits must include English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Candidates using NABTEB results specifically need all required credits from a single sitting rather than combined sittings.
- A valid Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result with a JAMB score that meets the school’s cut-off mark for the session. This figure has varied across recent admission cycles, generally falling between 150 and 180, so applicants should check the school’s current cut-off once the admission portal opens rather than relying on a previous year’s figure.
- The College of Nursing Sciences, Oke-Ode must be selected as the candidate’s first choice institution on the JAMB portal, or the candidate must formally change their institution choice to Oke-Ode before applying.
- Candidates must fall within the age range of 16 to 30 years by the November cut-off point of the admission year in question.
- Candidates must be certified physically and mentally fit for nursing training, typically confirmed through a medical screening conducted after provisional admission.
Post Basic Nursing applicants follow a modified requirement list, since they are expected to already hold a relevant certificate (most commonly a Registered Midwife qualification). In addition to the standard O’level credit requirements, Post Basic candidates must present evidence of their existing nursing-related qualification and, in most cases, evidence of current registration with the appropriate professional council.
How to Apply
Application into the College of Nursing Sciences, Oke-Ode, follows a structured online process:
- Visit the school’s official admission portal (portal.kwconoo.edu.ng) once the sales period for the target academic session opens.
- Select the programme of interest — General Nursing or Post Basic Nursing — and fill in the applicant registration form using a valid, active email address.
- Make payment for the application form using a debit card through the portal’s online payment gateway. The form typically costs between ₦15,000 and ₦20,200, though the exact figure is confirmed only once official sales begin for a given session, since it is subject to periodic review.
- Upload scanned copies of O’level results, JAMB result slip, birth certificate or age declaration, and passport photographs as specified in the portal instructions.
- Print the completed application form and retain a copy along with photocopies of all supporting credentials, since these are required at the screening stage.
- Attend the Computer-Based Test (CBT) screening exercise at the designated CBT Centre on the Oke-Ode campus on the date communicated by the school.
Candidates are responsible for their own transportation, feeding, and accommodation throughout the screening and test period, since the school does not provide these as part of the admission process.
School Fees Structure
Fees at the College of Nursing Sciences, Oke-Ode, are set separately for indigenes of Kwara State and non-indigenes, and they also differ between the General Nursing and Post Basic Nursing programmes. The figures below reflect the most recently published fee schedule and give a realistic sense of what a new student should budget, though candidates should always confirm the exact current amount through the official portal before making payment, since public tertiary institutions review fees from one session to another.
| Fee Category | Kwara State Indigenes | Non-Indigenes |
|---|---|---|
| General/Basic Nursing (per session) | Approximately ₦89,000 – ₦150,000 | Approximately ₦104,000 – ₦200,000 |
| Post Basic Nursing (per session) | Approximately ₦121,000 | Approximately ₦136,000 |
| Acceptance fee | ₦10,000 | ₦10,000 |
| Application form | ₦15,000 – ₦20,200 | ₦15,000 – ₦20,200 |
The session fee generally covers tuition, basic clinical practice materials, and administrative charges. It does not typically include accommodation, feeding, uniforms, or clinical equipment such as stethoscopes and nursing kits, which students purchase separately either through the school’s designated vendors or independently, following the specifications given at orientation. New students are advised to budget an additional amount beyond the published tuition figure to cover these mandatory but separately billed items.
The acceptance fee, once a candidate receives an admission offer, is due within two weeks of the offer being made. Failure to pay within this window can result in forfeiture of the admission slot, so newly admitted students should treat this deadline as firm rather than flexible.
Payment Procedure
All fee payments are processed online through the school’s official portal rather than through direct bank deposits or third-party agents. Candidates and students log in with their registered credentials, select the appropriate fee category, and complete payment using a bank card. The school explicitly warns applicants against dealing with unauthorized agents claiming to sell admission forms or process payments outside the official channel, since such arrangements carry a high risk of fraud. Only the school’s designated accountant, whose contact details are published on official admission notices, has authorization to handle offline transactions where applicable.
Late payment of session fees can restrict a student’s access to lecture halls, the school’s online portal, or hostel accommodation, so students are encouraged to clear fees within the stipulated deadline each session rather than waiting until the point of examination registration.
Scholarships and Financial Support
Students at the College of Nursing Sciences, Oke-Ode, have access to scholarship opportunities from multiple sources, including the Kwara State government, federal government scholarship boards, private non-governmental organizations, and faith-based institutions that periodically sponsor nursing and health-related training. These opportunities are not automatically awarded; students typically need to apply directly to the relevant scholarship body and meet its specific eligibility criteria, which may include academic performance benchmarks, financial need documentation, or state of origin requirements.
Career Outcomes After Graduation
Graduates of the General Nursing programme who pass the NMCN licensing examination register as Registered Nurses and can practice in general hospitals, teaching hospitals, private clinics, and primary healthcare centres across Nigeria. Some proceed into specialized areas such as perioperative nursing, paediatric nursing, or public health nursing after gaining additional certification. Post Basic graduates, having already held a related qualification such as midwifery, typically move into dual-qualified roles that combine nursing and midwifery practice, widening their scope of employment within the health sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JAMB cut-off mark for the College of Nursing Sciences, Oke-Ode?
The cut-off mark has ranged between 150 and 180 across recent admission cycles. Applicants should confirm the exact figure for their session once the school publishes its admission notice.
Do non-indigenes of Kwara State pay higher fees?
Yes. Non-indigenes pay a higher session fee than Kwara State indigenes for both the General Nursing and Post Basic Nursing programmes.
How long does the General Nursing programme take to complete?
The General Nursing (Basic Nursing) programme runs for three years, while the Post Basic Nursing programme runs for two years.
Is the school accredited by NMCN?
Yes. The College of Nursing Sciences, Oke-Ode, is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, which qualifies its graduates to sit the professional licensing examination.
Can candidates apply without meeting the O’level subject requirements?
No. All applicants must present at least five credits including English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, in not more than two sittings (one sitting for NABTEB).