The Nigerian Air Force College of Nursing Sciences (NAFCONS), located within the Nigerian Air Force Base in Kaduna, is one of the military-run nursing training institutions in Nigeria that admits both uniformed personnel and civilians into its National Diploma/Higher National Diploma (ND/HND) Nursing programme. Because the college is attached to the Nigerian Air Force and follows a slightly different administrative structure from civilian teaching-hospital nursing colleges, applicants often need clear, specific guidance on its admission conditions and fee structure. This article sets out both in detail for the 2026/2027 academic session.
About NAFCONS
NAFCONS trains candidates for professional nursing practice under the regulatory framework of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), while also being accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for its ND/HND Nursing award. The college was brought fully into the JAMB admission system some years ago, meaning candidates can no longer gain a diploma-level place without going through JAMB UTME registration, unlike some older nursing school models that admitted directly. Admission at NAFCONS is open to three broad categories of applicants: serving military personnel, paramilitary personnel, and civilians, which makes it one of the more inclusive nursing colleges run by a branch of the armed forces. The programme runs for four uninterrupted years and leads to an ND/HND Nursing qualification, after which graduates can proceed for professional registration with the NMCN.
Being a defence-affiliated institution gives NAFCONS a distinct advantage in terms of training standards, discipline, clinical exposure, and facilities, and this is part of the reason its fees sit higher than what most civilian teaching-hospital colleges charge. Applicants weighing NAFCONS against other nursing colleges in Kaduna State, such as the Kaduna State College of Nursing and Midwifery or the School of Nursing at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), should factor in this cost difference alongside the added structure, discipline, and military-standard training the college offers.
Admission Requirements for 2026/2027
To be considered for a place in the ND/HND Nursing programme at NAFCONS, an applicant must satisfy several conditions relating to examinations, age, citizenship, and health. Each is explained below.
1. JAMB UTME registration and first choice Admission into NAFCONS is strictly through JAMB. A candidate must register for the UTME in the relevant admission year and select the Nigerian Air Force College of Nursing Sciences as first choice institution. Candidates who initially chose a different institution are required to carry out a change of institution on the JAMB portal before the college can process their application. The minimum UTME score generally required has been set at 180 in recent admission cycles, and applicants should treat this as the benchmark to work towards, while confirming the specific cut-off announced for the 2026/2027 session once the college releases its official notice.
2. UTME/Post-UTME subject combination The required subjects for both UTME and the post-UTME screening are:
- Use of English
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
3. O’Level requirements A candidate must possess a minimum of five (5) credit passes obtained from WAEC, NECO, GCE, or NABTEB, in not more than two sittings. The five credits must include:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
4. Age requirement NAFCONS typically sets an age bracket for applicants, commonly falling between 16 and 26 years as at a specified cut-off date in the admission year (some cycles have used a slightly wider 15–26 range). Applicants should confirm the precise age window stated in the college’s official 2026/2027 admission notice, since the boundary shifts marginally from one session to another.
5. Nigerian citizenship Candidates must be Nigerian by birth. This is a standard requirement across military-affiliated training institutions and is verified through documents such as a birth certificate, a declaration of age, or a certificate of state of origin.
6. Medical fitness Because NAFCONS trains within a military environment with demanding clinical rotations, candidates are required to be certified medically fit. This is usually confirmed through a medical examination conducted at the screening stage or shortly after a provisional offer of admission.
7. Good conduct Applicants must be of good character, free from any criminal record, since the college operates under military discipline standards that extend to its civilian students as well.
Table: Quick Reference for Admission Conditions
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mode of entry | JAMB UTME (NAFCONS as first choice) |
| Minimum UTME score | Around 180 (subject to confirmation for 2026/2027) |
| UTME/Post-UTME subjects | English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| O’Level credits | 5 credits including English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Maximum O’Level sittings | 2 |
| Age bracket | Approximately 16–26 years (varies slightly by session) |
| Citizenship | Nigerian by birth |
| Eligible applicant categories | Military, paramilitary, and civilian candidates |
| Programme duration | 4 years (ND/HND Nursing) |
Documents Required at Application
Applicants should prepare photocopies (with originals for sighting) of the following before submitting an application:
- O’Level result(s) — WAEC, NECO, GCE, or NABTEB
- Secondary school testimonial
- Birth certificate or age declaration
- Certificate of state/local government of origin
- UTME result slip
- Recent passport photographs (the college typically asks for several copies)
- Evidence of payment for the post-UTME screening exercise
How to Apply
- Register for JAMB UTME and select the Nigerian Air Force College of Nursing Sciences as your first choice institution, using the subject combination of English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Meet the minimum UTME score required for the session, generally around 180.
- Download the application form free of charge from the official NAFCONS admission portal once the college announces that the form is available; NAFCONS does not sell its forms, and the public is regularly warned against paying agents claiming to sell admission forms on the college’s behalf.
- Complete the form accurately and attach photocopies of all required credentials.
- Submit the completed form at the college, located within the Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna, during the stated submission window, typically Monday to Friday within specified office hours.
- Pay the post-UTME screening fee in cash at the college finance office only, since payment is not made online. This fee has varied by session, generally falling somewhere between five thousand and fifteen thousand naira, and covers the logistics of conducting the screening exercise rather than the cost of a form.
- Attend the post-UTME screening, held at the NAFCONS campus, which may include a written test, an interview, and a medical fitness check.
- Check the admission list once released and follow the college’s instructions for accepting a provisional offer, paying acceptance and tuition fees, and completing registration.
School Fees Structure
NAFCONS fees are notably higher than what most civilian nursing colleges in Kaduna State and beyond charge, largely because of the military-standard training environment, clinical exposure, discipline structure, and facilities the college maintains. Based on the fee schedule the college has worked with in recent admission cycles, a new student in the ND/HND Nursing programme should expect an overall session cost within the range below. Since fees are reviewed by the college management from time to time, the figures should be treated as a guide for budgeting rather than a fixed final amount, and applicants should always confirm the current schedule from the college’s finance office or official portal before making any payment.
| Fee Category | Estimated Amount (₦) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Post-UTME screening fee | 5,000 – 15,500 | Paid in cash at the college finance office; not paid online |
| Overall session fee, new students | 700,000 – 800,000 | Covers tuition, departmental, and other mandatory institutional charges |
| Overall session fee, returning students | Slightly lower than new-student fees | Reduced because certain one-off first-year charges no longer apply |
| Uniform and clinical practical kits | Included within the general fee range for most sessions | Specific breakdown available from the college finance office |
| Hostel/accommodation | Assessed separately depending on availability and allocation | Confirm current hostel charges directly with the college |
Candidates and their sponsors should plan beyond tuition for costs such as textbooks, transportation to and from clinical postings, personal upkeep, and NMCN-related registration or examination fees at the relevant stage of the programme. Because NAFCONS fees sit well above the range typical of many civilian teaching-hospital nursing colleges, prospective applicants should factor this into their overall budgeting before applying, while weighing it against the structured military training environment and career pathway the college offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can civilians apply to NAFCONS, or is it only for military personnel?
Civilians are eligible to apply alongside military and paramilitary personnel. NAFCONS runs an inclusive ND/HND Nursing admission process open to all three categories, provided the standard requirements are met.
What is the minimum UTME score for NAFCONS?
Recent admission cycles have set the benchmark at around 180, though applicants should confirm the exact cut-off announced for the 2026/2027 session, since it can be adjusted from year to year.
Does NAFCONS sell admission forms online?
No. NAFCONS has repeatedly stated that its admission forms are not sold, whether online or through agents, and are available for free download from the official college portal once released. Any party demanding payment for a form should be treated as unauthorised.
How long does the NAFCONS Nursing programme last?
The ND/HND Nursing programme runs for four uninterrupted years.
Why are NAFCONS fees higher than other nursing colleges in Kaduna?
The fee level reflects the military-standard facilities, discipline structure, and clinical training environment the college maintains as a defence-affiliated institution, which distinguishes it from civilian-run nursing colleges in the same state.
Is there an age limit for applying?
Yes. NAFCONS generally admits candidates within an age bracket of roughly 16 to 26 years as at a specified date in the admission year, though applicants should verify the exact range stated in the current session’s official notice.