Adamawa State has a small but distinct nursing education sector. Most people searching for a “private nursing school” in the state are usually trying to work out whether such an option exists, what it costs, and how it compares with the government-run alternatives. The short answer is that Adamawa State has only one fully private institution offering a recognized nursing qualification: the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola. Every other nursing training institution in the state — the Adamawa State College of Nursing and Midwifery, the developing College of Nursing Sciences at the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital, and the nursing department at Modibbo Adama University — is owned or funded by government at the state or federal level.
This article explains where private nursing training actually stands in Adamawa State, what it costs, and how it compares to the public alternatives, so a prospective student can make an informed decision without confusion between “private” and “government-owned” institutions.
Is There a Private Nursing School in Adamawa State?
Strictly speaking, yes — but there is only one, and it is a university rather than a stand-alone school of nursing. The American University of Nigeria, a private not-for-profit university situated along the Yola Township Bypass, received approval from the National Universities Commission in November 2023 to run a Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) programme. Admissions opened shortly after, with the first cohort starting in the Spring 2024 semester. The programme sits under AUN’s School of Basic Medical and Allied Health Sciences, alongside a Public Health degree.
Every other nursing training route in Adamawa State runs through a government-funded institution:
- The Adamawa State College of Nursing and Midwifery (ASCNM) in Yola is owned by the state government and trains basic nurses, midwives, and community health workers.
- The College of Nursing Sciences under development at the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (formerly Federal Medical Centre Yola) is a federal institution.
- Modibbo Adama University, located in Girei, is a federal university offering a B.N.Sc. programme through its Department of Nursing Science.
None of these three qualify as private, even though private-school seekers sometimes come across them while researching nursing options in the state. For clarity, and because a genuinely informative answer should cover the full landscape a searcher is likely to encounter, this article also gives brief fee context for these government institutions further down.
AUN’s Nursing Programme: Structure and Duration
AUN runs a concept-based, practice-ready nursing curriculum modeled on programmes found in American universities, and it partners with the University of Northern Iowa for aspects of lecturing and simulation-based clinical training. The degree covers core clinical areas including medical-surgical nursing, maternal and child health (including midwifery), mental health nursing, and community and public health nursing.
The programme runs for five years for students admitted through the standard Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) route, and four years for Direct Entry candidates who already hold a relevant qualification such as a nursing diploma or a related degree. Graduates who complete the programme and pass the licensing examination administered by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) become eligible for registration as professional nurses.
AUN Nursing School Fees for 2026/2027
AUN applies a flat tuition rate to Nursing, Law, and Engineering students rather than charging strictly by credit hour the way most other undergraduate programmes are billed. Under this flat-rate structure, nursing students are charged ₦1,656,000 per semester once their credit load falls within the standard 13–25 credit band for the session. This brings total annual tuition to roughly ₦3.3 million, excluding accommodation, meals, and other mandatory charges.
It is worth noting that fee figures for private Nigerian universities change from one admission cycle to the next, and AUN itself has adjusted its tuition more than once in recent years as it moved from a flat undergraduate rate to a credit-based model for most courses, while keeping nursing, law, and engineering on the flat-rate track. A prospective student should always confirm the exact current figure directly from the AUN Bursary or the official admissions portal before making financial commitments, since published third-party figures can lag behind the university’s own updates.
Beyond tuition, students living on campus (which AUN requires of most undergraduates) pay separately for housing and a meal plan, along with smaller mandatory charges for health insurance, technology access, sports facilities, and student activities.
| Fee Component | Approximate Cost (2026/2027) |
|---|---|
| Nursing tuition (flat rate, per semester) | ₦1,656,000 |
| Nursing tuition (per academic year) | ₦3,312,000 |
| Acceptance fee | ₦50,000 |
| On-campus housing (per year, varies by room type) | ₦540,000 – ₦975,000 |
| Meal plan (per year, varies by plan) | ₦615,826 – ₦1,526,178 |
| Additional mandatory fees (health, tech, sports, activities) | ₦396,400 approximately |
| Lab fees (for lab-intensive nursing courses) | ₦132,000 approximately |
Adding tuition, housing, meal plan, and mandatory fees together, a nursing student at AUN should budget somewhere between ₦4.5 million and ₦6 million per academic year, depending on the housing and meal plan chosen. This places AUN among the more expensive undergraduate nursing options in Nigeria, reflecting its status as a premium, internationally structured private university rather than a standard diploma-level nursing college.
Admission Requirements for AUN Nursing
Candidates applying through UTME need a JAMB score that meets or exceeds AUN’s baseline cut-off for the session, which has generally sat around 160 in recent admission cycles, together with five credit passes in relevant subjects — including English Language, Mathematics, and the core sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) — from WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, or an equivalent examination body. Because AUN conducts a holistic, American-style review of each application rather than admitting purely on cut-off score, meeting the minimum score does not guarantee a place. Direct Entry applicants, typically those holding a nursing diploma, an HND, or a first degree in a related field, are assessed separately and may be admitted into the four-year track.
Applicants also sit for AUN’s own Post-UTME screening process, and international or non-standard qualification holders may need an equivalent assessment such as GCE or IGCSE credits.
How AUN Compares With Government Nursing Institutions in Adamawa State
Since many people researching “private nursing school in Adamawa State” are really comparing their options broadly, it helps to see how tuition at AUN stacks up against the state and federal alternatives. These institutions differ sharply from AUN not just in cost but in structure: they run certificate and diploma-level nursing and midwifery training rather than a full bachelor’s degree, and their fees vary depending on whether an applicant holds Adamawa State indigene status.
| Institution | Ownership | Programme Type | Approximate Fees (per session) |
|---|---|---|---|
| American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola | Private | B.N.Sc. Nursing Science (4–5 years) | ₦3.3 million (tuition only) |
| Adamawa State College of Nursing and Midwifery (ASCNM), Yola | State government | Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery (3 years) | ₦60,000 – ₦150,000 |
| ASCNM Community Nursing/Midwifery | State government | Community programmes (18 months) | ₦40,000 – ₦100,000 |
| College of Nursing Sciences, MAUTH, Yola | Federal | General Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Post-Basic | ₦100,000 – ₦200,000 |
| Modibbo Adama University, Girei | Federal | B.N.Sc. Nursing Science (5 years) | ₦50,000 – ₦100,000 |
The gap in cost is substantial. A student who prioritizes affordability and a quicker route into professional practice is generally better served by ASCNM’s diploma-level programmes or the federal university’s nursing science degree, both of which lead to NMCN licensing eligibility at a fraction of AUN’s cost. A student who prioritizes an American-style curriculum, smaller class sizes, international faculty partnerships, and a private-university learning environment is the one for whom AUN’s higher fee structure makes sense.
Financial Aid and Scholarships at AUN
AUN operates a Financial Aid and Student Development Programs office that administers merit-based scholarships, need-based grants, and work-study opportunities for qualifying undergraduates, including nursing students. Since scholarship availability, eligibility criteria, and coverage amounts change from one admission cycle to the next, applicants who need financial support should contact the AUN Office of Financial Aid directly during the application process rather than assuming a particular discount will apply.
Payment Structure
AUN requires new students to clear at least 60 percent of their total semester fees before registration is finalized, with the remaining balance due before mid-semester examinations. Payments are made through the university’s designated bank accounts or its online payment portal, and the Bursary’s office handles fee-related queries, including payment plans for students who need to spread costs across the semester.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Adamawa State have more than one private nursing school?
No. AUN is currently the only fully private institution in Adamawa State offering an NMCN-relevant nursing qualification. All other nursing training centers in the state are state- or federally-owned.
Is AUN’s nursing degree recognized for professional licensing?
Yes. The programme was approved by the National Universities Commission, and graduates who complete the curriculum and pass the NMCN licensing examination are eligible for registration as professional nurses in Nigeria.
Is AUN nursing tuition paid in installments?
Yes. Students pay at least 60 percent of the semester fee before registration and clear the remainder before mid-semester exams.
Can Direct Entry candidates apply for AUN’s nursing programme?
Yes. Direct Entry applicants, typically those with a relevant diploma, HND, or first degree, are admitted into a shortened four-year track instead of the standard five-year UTME route.
Are AUN’s nursing fees the same every year?
No. Private university tuition in Nigeria is reviewed periodically, and AUN has adjusted its fee structure in past sessions. Always confirm the current figure with the AUN admissions office before budgeting.