Imo State is one of the most active hubs for nursing education in southeastern Nigeria, with more than ten institutions offering nursing and midwifery training across the state. A significant number of these are privately owned, run by individuals, missionary bodies, or private hospital groups rather than the state or federal government. This article lists the private nursing schools operating in Imo State, explains what each one costs, and clarifies the admission requirements and accreditation details prospective nursing students need before applying for the 2026/2027 session.
Schools of Nursing vs. University Nursing Departments in Imo State
Before choosing an institution, it helps to understand the two different routes into nursing available in Imo State. Colleges or Schools of Nursing run a three-year programme that leads to a Registered Nurse (RN) certificate, or a combined Registered Nurse-Midwifery (RNM) certificate where midwifery is included. These institutions do not require JAMB UTME for admission in most cases, relying instead on their own entrance screening.
University nursing departments, by contrast, run a five-year Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) programme, which includes a compulsory internship year at a teaching or general hospital. A B.NSc degree sits above an RN certificate academically, and holders are generally more competitive for roles in teaching hospitals, specialist units, and further postgraduate study. Both routes lead to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) once a candidate has passed the mandatory professional licensing examination, but the certificate awarded and the number of years spent in training differ.
List of Private Nursing Schools in Imo State
The table below lists the main private nursing schools currently operating in Imo State, along with their locations and the qualification each one awards.
| Institution | Location | Certificate Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph College of Nursing Sciences | Umuokele Enyiogugu, Aboh Mbaise LGA | Registered Nurse (RN) |
| Ezeala School of Nursing Sciences | Orlu-Owerri Road, Umuseke-Okwudor, Njaba LGA | RN, RM, Post Basic Midwifery, Post Basic Accident & Emergency, Public Health |
| College of Nursing Sciences, Mbano (CONSMBANO) | Umuduru, Isiala Mbano LGA | RN, Health Nursing, Midwifery |
| College of Nursing Sciences, Amaigbo | Amaigbo | Registered Nurse (RN) |
| Merit College of Nursing Sciences, Orlu | Orlu | Registered Nurse (RN) |
| Princess College of Nursing Sciences | Mgbirichi, along Owerri-Port Harcourt Road | General Nursing Certificate (RN) |
| Holy Rosary College of Nursing Sciences | Emekuku | RN, Basic Midwifery |
| Our Lady of Mercy Nursing School | Umulogho, Obowo LGA | Nursing, Midwifery, Post-Basic Nursing |
| International Christian College of Nursing Sciences | Mbari Street, Ikenegbu Layout, Owerri | Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery |
| School of Basic Midwifery, Aboh Mbaise | Aboh Mbaise | Basic Midwifery |
Alongside these dedicated colleges, Imo State also has private university options that run full Bachelor of Nursing Science programmes. Claretian University of Nigeria, located at Maryland Nekede, offers a five-year B.NSc programme through its School of Nursing, alongside Public Health and Physiotherapy. A university-based nursing degree differs from a college-based nursing diploma both in duration and in the qualification awarded at the end, and prospective students should decide early which route fits their career goals and budget before applying.
School Fees at Private Nursing Schools in Imo State
Private nursing schools in Imo State generally charge higher tuition than government-owned nursing schools in the state, since they do not receive subvention from the state or federal government and must cover the full cost of staffing, clinical placements, and facility maintenance from student fees. Fee levels vary considerably depending on whether the institution is a standalone College of Nursing Sciences or a full private university running a Bachelor of Nursing Science programme.
| Fee Category | Typical Range (Per Session) |
|---|---|
| Private College of Nursing (RN/RM Diploma programmes) | ₦150,000 – ₦250,000 |
| Private University B.NSc Programme | ₦700,000 – ₦1,000,000 |
| Application/admission form | ₦18,500 – ₦25,000 |
| Additional charges (registration, exams, lab use) | ₦10,000 – ₦50,000 |
The gap between college-level and university-level nursing fees is significant. A three-year Registered Nurse diploma programme at a private College of Nursing Sciences typically costs less per session than a five-year Bachelor of Nursing Science programme at a private university, largely because university-level nursing degrees involve more extensive laboratory infrastructure, a longer academic calendar, and accreditation requirements set by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in addition to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
Application fees for private colleges of nursing in Imo State typically fall between ₦18,500 and ₦25,000, and this fee usually differs depending on the specific programme applied for. College of Nursing Sciences, Mbano, for instance, charges a different application fee for its Basic Midwifery/Post Basic track compared to its National Diploma in Nursing track, reflecting how programme type affects cost even within the same institution.
What Drives the Cost Difference Between Institutions
Several factors explain why one private nursing school in Imo State may charge noticeably more than another. Institutions offering additional accredited programmes beyond basic nursing, such as Post Basic Midwifery, Post Basic Accident and Emergency, or Public Health, as seen at Ezeala School of Nursing Sciences, generally carry a broader fee structure because each specialised track has its own clinical placement and equipment costs. Institutions with more extensive facilities, such as telemedicine-equipped classrooms, dedicated skills acquisition centres, or solar-powered campuses with independent water supply, also tend to charge closer to the higher end of the fee range to offset infrastructure costs.
Location and institutional history matter as well. Older, more established colleges with a long track record of NMCN accreditation and strong professional examination pass rates often command higher fees than newer entrants, since prospective students are effectively paying a premium for a proven pathway to licensure.
Accreditation: The Most Important Factor to Verify
Every private nursing school listed above holds accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) for its Basic Nursing and, in most cases, Basic Midwifery programmes, which is what qualifies graduates to sit the NMCN professional licensing examination. However, accreditation status is not identical across every additional programme an institution offers. For example, a college’s core Nursing and Midwifery programmes may carry NMCN accreditation, while a related Health Nursing track at the same institution may instead be accredited separately by a different body such as the West African Health Examination Board (WAHEB).
Before applying to any private nursing school in Imo State, a prospective student should confirm the exact accreditation status of the specific programme they intend to study, not just the institution as a whole. This distinction matters because a diploma from an unaccredited programme, even if issued by an otherwise reputable school, does not qualify a graduate to sit the relevant licensing examination or register as a professional nurse or midwife.
Admission Requirements for Private Nursing Schools in Imo State
Admission into most private nursing schools in Imo State requires a candidate to have at least five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB in not more than two sittings. Candidates must generally be at least 16 to 17 years old at the point of admission. Unlike university nursing departments, which require candidates to sit the JAMB UTME and meet a competitive cut-off mark typically in the 220 to 260 range, most standalone Colleges of Nursing Sciences do not require UTME registration and instead conduct their own Post-UTME-style screening examination or interview.
Candidates applying to a private university’s Bachelor of Nursing Science programme, such as the one at Claretian University of Nigeria, must follow the standard university admission route, which includes UTME registration, meeting the institution’s cut-off mark, and passing the Post-UTME screening exercise conducted by the university.
How to Apply and Pay Fees
Application into most private nursing colleges in Imo State follows a broadly similar process:
- Purchase or complete the online application form on the institution’s official website or portal, paying the stated non-refundable application fee.
- Submit the required O’Level results and any other supporting documents as instructed by the school.
- Sit for the school’s entrance screening examination or interview, where applicable.
- Await the release of the admission list and confirm placement.
- Pay the approved session fee through the official bank account or payment platform published by the school, and retain the payment receipt for registration.
Prospective students should always confirm payment details directly through the institution’s official phone lines or website rather than relying on third-party contacts, since fee scams involving fake admission agents are a recurring problem across Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Registered Nurse (RN) certificate and a B.NSc degree?
An RN certificate is awarded after a three-year programme at a College or School of Nursing and does not require JAMB in most cases. A B.NSc degree is awarded after a five-year university programme, including UTME admission and a compulsory internship year, and ranks higher academically than an RN certificate.
How much does it cost to study at a private nursing school in Imo State?
Private Colleges of Nursing Sciences typically charge between ₦150,000 and ₦250,000 per session, while private universities running a full B.NSc programme charge considerably more, generally between ₦700,000 and ₦1,000,000 per session.
Is JAMB UTME required for admission into private nursing colleges in Imo State?
No, in most cases. Standalone Colleges of Nursing Sciences generally admit through their own entrance screening rather than JAMB. UTME is required only for university-based Bachelor of Nursing Science programmes.
How can I confirm that a private nursing school in Imo State is properly accredited?
Contact the school directly to request confirmation of its current NMCN accreditation status for the specific programme you intend to study, since accreditation can vary by programme even within the same institution.
Do private nursing schools in Imo State offer midwifery alongside nursing?
Many do. Institutions such as Ezeala School of Nursing Sciences, Holy Rosary College of Nursing Sciences, and Our Lady of Mercy Nursing School all run midwifery programmes in addition to their core nursing tracks.