Edo State hosts a mix of government-owned and privately-run nursing training institutions, and prospective students frequently confuse the two categories when searching for admission and cost information. This article focuses specifically on privately-owned nursing training options available to students in Edo State, the programmes they run, and what students should expect to pay for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Understanding What “Private Nursing School” Means in This Context
A private nursing institution is one that is not funded or directly administered by the federal government or a state ministry of health. In Edo State, private nursing education mostly takes one of two forms:
- Private university-based nursing programmes — these lead to a Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) degree and are run by chartered private universities with a College of Health Sciences or Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences. Admission into these programmes goes through UTME and the university’s own screening process, and the training lasts about five years.
- Hospital-affiliated private schools of nursing — these award the Registered Nurse (RN) certificate after a three-year Basic Nursing programme. They are typically attached to a private hospital that provides the clinical training component, and admission does not always require UTME, though five credits at O’Level (including English Language, Mathematics, and relevant science subjects) are compulsory.
Both categories fall under the regulatory oversight of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), and for the degree route, the National Universities Commission (NUC) as well. A school’s accreditation status directly affects whether its graduates can sit for the professional licensing examination, so this is a detail every applicant needs to confirm before applying.
Private Universities in and Around Edo State Offering Nursing
Two private universities based in Edo State currently run nursing programmes at the degree level:
Igbinedion University, Okada runs a B.NSc programme under its College of Health Sciences, supported by the Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital (IUTH) in Okada. The university also offers a National Diploma (ND) in Nursing as a pathway option for candidates who do not immediately qualify for the direct degree route. Because IUTH is a functioning teaching hospital, students get clinical exposure early, and the institution’s fee structure is published and reviewed each session by the school’s management.
Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin City runs its nursing programme through its College of Health Sciences as well, with a clinical skills laboratory on campus and hospital affiliations across Benin City supporting the practical component of the training. BIU’s programme also follows the five-year B.NSc structure.
Outside Edo State, some students also consider Madonna University (Okija/Elele campuses) and Redeemer’s University (Ede), both of which run B.NSc programmes with NMCN and NUC accreditation, though these fall outside Edo State geographically and are only relevant to a student comparing private nursing degree options across Southern Nigeria.
Hospital-Affiliated Private Schools of Nursing in Edo State
Beyond the university route, several private hospitals in Edo State run standalone, three-year Basic Nursing programmes. These schools are smaller, more clinically focused, and generally charge less than a university-based B.NSc programme because they do not carry the broader overhead of a full university. A student choosing this route earns the RN qualification and can proceed to write the NMCN licensing examination directly after graduation, without needing a separate degree.
Because accreditation status for these smaller institutions can change from one admission cycle to the next, any candidate should confirm current NMCN approval with the school directly, or verify through the NMCN’s published list of accredited schools, before making any payment toward admission or forms.
Fee Ranges for Private Nursing Training in Edo State (2026/2027)
Fees differ significantly depending on whether a student enrolls in a full private university B.NSc programme or a hospital-based Basic Nursing certificate programme. The table below summarises realistic fee ranges based on the type of institution, covering tuition and standard institutional charges but excluding accommodation, textbooks, and uniform costs, which are usually billed separately.
| Type of Institution | Programme | Duration | Estimated Fee Range (Per Session) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private university (e.g., Igbinedion University, BIU) | B.NSc (Degree) | 5 years | ₦800,000 – ₦1,800,000 |
| Private university | ND Nursing (pathway option) | 2 years | ₦400,000 – ₦900,000 |
| Hospital-affiliated private school of nursing | Basic Nursing (RN Certificate) | 3 years | ₦500,000 – ₦1,200,000 |
| Hospital-affiliated private school | Post-Basic Midwifery / Public Health Nursing | 18 months | ₦300,000 – ₦700,000 |
These figures represent averages drawn from typical private nursing fee structures nationwide and should be treated as a planning guide rather than a fixed quotation. Individual schools review their fees at the start of every session, and a student’s exact fee often depends on whether they are a fresh admission or a returning student, since fresh students usually pay additional one-time charges such as acceptance fees, ID card fees, and library registration.
What the Fees Typically Cover
A private nursing school’s published fee for a session generally bundles together several components rather than a single lump tuition figure. These commonly include:
- Tuition fee — the core academic charge for lectures, coursework, and examinations.
- Clinical/practical fee — covers laboratory materials, simulation equipment use, and supervised hospital placement.
- Development levy — a recurring charge that goes toward maintaining school facilities.
- Library and ICT fee — access to library resources and computer-based learning tools.
- Medical/health services fee — covers basic health screening and first-aid access on campus.
- Uniform and kit fee — usually charged once, mainly in the first year, for the standard nursing uniform, apron, and instrument kit.
- Acceptance fee — a one-time, non-refundable charge paid immediately after a candidate is offered admission.
Accommodation is rarely bundled into the general school fee. Students who need on-campus hostel space typically pay for it as a separate item, and the amount depends on room type (shared or private) and whether the hostel is school-owned or privately managed near the campus.
Admission Requirements Common to Private Nursing Schools in Edo State
While each institution sets its own specific criteria, most private nursing schools and universities in Edo State require the following as a baseline:
- A minimum of five credits at O’Level (WAEC, NECO, or GCE), including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry, obtainable in not more than two sittings.
- A UTME score meeting the institution’s cut-off mark, for degree (B.NSc) applicants.
- A minimum age requirement, typically 16 or 17 years at the point of admission.
- Successful completion of a post-UTME screening exercise or an internal entrance examination, depending on the school.
- A medical fitness report, since nursing training involves direct patient contact from an early stage.
Candidates applying to hospital-affiliated Basic Nursing programmes that do not use UTME usually go through the institution’s own entrance examination and interview process instead.
Comparing the Private Route to Federal and State Nursing Schools
Students comparing costs across ownership types in Edo State will notice a clear difference. The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) School of Nursing, which is federally owned, charges considerably less per session, generally in the range of ₦100,000 to ₦200,000, while the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences, a state-owned institution, falls in a similar affordable bracket. Private institutions charge more because they do not receive government subvention and must fund infrastructure, staff salaries, and hospital partnerships independently. In exchange, private nursing schools generally offer smaller class sizes, more consistent academic calendars, and, in the case of university-affiliated programmes, a recognised degree rather than a diploma-level certificate.
Practical Steps Before Applying
Before committing funds toward any private nursing programme in Edo State, a prospective student should:
- Confirm the school’s current NMCN accreditation status directly with the council or through the institution’s admission office.
- Request the most recent, session-specific fee schedule in writing from the school’s bursary or admissions unit, since figures change from year to year.
- Clarify whether the quoted fee is for fresh students only, since returning students typically pay a reduced amount without acceptance and clearance charges.
- Ask whether payment can be made in instalments, as several private institutions permit this for tuition, though one-time charges are usually paid in full at registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are private nursing schools in Edo State more expensive than federal ones?
Yes. Private nursing training, whether at the degree or certificate level, costs more per session than federal or state-run alternatives because private institutions operate without government funding.
Can a graduate of a private hospital-based nursing school in Edo State work as a licensed nurse?
Yes, provided the school holds valid NMCN accreditation and the graduate passes the NMCN licensing examination after completing the programme.
Is UTME compulsory for all private nursing programmes in Edo State?
UTME is required for degree-level B.NSc admission into private universities. Standalone, hospital-affiliated Basic Nursing schools often admit through their own entrance examination instead.
Do private nursing school fees in Edo State include accommodation?
Generally, no. Accommodation is billed separately from the core school fee in most private nursing institutions.
How often do private nursing schools in Edo State review their fees?
Fees are typically reviewed at the start of each academic session, so figures from a previous year should not be assumed to apply automatically to the 2026/2027 session.