Last reviewed: June 2026
The three routes into nursing
Nigeria has three common pathways to becoming a registered nurse. All lead to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), the body that licenses every nurse in the country.
| Route | Award | Typical length | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| School of Nursing | Registered Nurse (RN) diploma | ~3 years | Fastest route to practice |
| University (College of Nursing/Health Sciences) | BNSc degree + RN | ~5 years | Degree + better abroad mobility |
| Basic Midwifery | Registered Midwife (RM) | ~3 years | Maternal & child health focus |
Many nurses later add qualifications (RN to RM, or post-basic specialties like accident & emergency, perioperative, or psychiatric nursing).
Entry requirements
Exact requirements vary by school and route, but you will generally need:
- O'level credits (typically five) including English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics — usually at one or two sittings.
- JAMB UTME for the university (BNSc) route; School of Nursing programmes run their own entrance examinations and interviews.
- A minimum age (commonly around 16–17 at entry) and a medical fitness check.
Cut-off marks, accepted sittings and entrance-exam formats change every cycle. Confirm the current requirements on the specific school's admission page before applying.
Step-by-step
- Choose an accredited programme. Only graduates of NMCN-accredited schools can sit the professional exam — see schools of nursing by state.
- Apply and pass the entrance process (entrance exam/UTME + interview + screening).
- Get indexed with the NMCN at the start of training — see NMCN indexing.
- Complete your training (classroom + clinical postings).
- Pass the NMCN professional/qualifying examination.
- Register and obtain your licence, then complete any required internship/bonding before practising.
How much does nursing school cost?
Costs vary widely between federal, state and private institutions, and between the School of Nursing and university routes. Budget for tuition/fees, uniforms, accommodation, clinical materials and NMCN charges. Because fees are revised regularly, get the current fee schedule directly from your target school rather than relying on figures circulating online.
After you qualify
Registration is not the finish line for many nurses. Common next steps include post-basic specialisation, a BNSc top-up (for diploma holders), and — increasingly — converting your licence to work abroad in the UK, USA or the Gulf.