15 Best Nursing Schools In Nigeria In 2024 (FULL LIST)

The University of Ibadan, School of Nursing; University of Abuja, School of Nursing; Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital; and University of Nigeria, School of Nursing, are among the best nursing schools in Nigeria.

Nursing is one of those courses that genuinely captures the word indispensable; just as doctors are needed in massive numbers, nurses are required to support doctors and handle patient care. In fact, hospitals without a proper nurse staff structure tend to lose more patients, according to Bradley University report.

Nurses are the unsung heroes of the medical world, and this has inspired a love for the profession in the hearts of many Nigerian youths.

Many more teens are more interested in becoming nurses nowadays, and as most young people are, they are confused about how. And that’s where we come in.

Welcome to our guide on the “15 Best Nursing Schools in Nigeria in 2024.” Whether you’re a high school graduate dreaming of a nursing career or someone interested in nursing education, this article will serve as your compass.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the top nursing schools in Nigeria for 2024, shedding light on their accreditation, faculty expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, and remarkable programs. 

Our mission is to assist you in making an informed decision about where to embark on your nursing journey or pursue further studies in this noble profession.

Criteria for Evaluation

We took the following factors into account when evaluating these institutions and coming up with the best

1. Accreditation

Accreditation is a critical factor in evaluating nursing schools. All schools in this list are accredited by reputable bodies like the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).

2. Facilities and Resources

We assessed these schools based on their state-of-the-art laboratories, simulation centers, libraries, and access to clinical training sites. Schools that have better technologies are given higher rankings.

3. Student Feedback

We considered feedback from students as a valuable source of information. Their experiences and opinions about the school’s curriculum, faculty, and overall educational experience provide insights into the real-world value of the institution.

4. University Rankings

We took data from the Times Higher Education rankings of universities to aid us in making our decision and choosing the best universities out there.

Admission Requirements for Nursing in Nigeria

Admission into a nursing school in Nigeria requires passing secondary school with a minimum of five subject credits in either WAEC or NECO, which must be obtained within a maximum of 2 sittings. 

These subjects encompass English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology or Health Science. This is the general requirement demanded by all nursing schools in Nigeria.

How Many Years Does It Take To Become a Nurse in Nigeria?

This varies depending on the program you took, but below are the timelines for each program.

• Three (3) years for the Basic General Nursing Program;
• Three (3) years for the Basic Midwifery Training Program; and
• Five/four (5/4) years for the (BNSc) Bachelors in Nursing Programme.

The first two are obtainable in the College of Health Sciences and College of Health Technologies, and the last one is a 5 years program for the award of a degree certificate in Bachelor of Nursing Science.

The 15 Best Nursing Schools In Nigeria

Now that we have understood the background of the information let’s dive into the list itself.

1. University of Ibadan, School of Nursing

This university offers a 5-year BSc Nursing program, which is pretty popular given that the parent university is one of the first in West Africa and one of the first universities in West Africa to gain any medical facilities in a tertiary institution. 

The Department of Nursing at the University of Ibadan is recognized and accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). This accreditation assures students of the highest standards in nursing education, ensuring that they receive a quality and recognized degree upon graduation.

2. University of Abuja School of Nursing, Abuja

This university is also famous for being one of the best nursing schools in Nigeria, and I feel it deserves the hype it’s getting. It offers a 4-year program for the Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. 

There is usually a written exam and an oral interview before you get admitted into this school, but if you ask me, I feel it deserves all that stress; it produces some of the best nurses in the country and has a long list of applicants yearly. 

Try this university if you want to be educated in the Country’s capital and experience the elite strata.

3. Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital

This is one of the only universities in Nigeria that teaches Nursing at the Master’s level, which should give you an insight into the level of education that goes on at the school.

OAU as one of the best nursing schools in Nigeria takes its training of young nurses very seriously, and you can expect a proper drill if you attend the university.

4. University of Nigeria School of Nursing

The University of Nigeria Nsukka was the first indigenous university to be established in Nigeria and has probably the longest admission waiting list in Nigeria due to the sheer number of applications to the University. That gives you an insight into the amount of learning in the school. 

I have a sister who has attended the school, and trust me; it was a stimulating experience for her with practical, real-world experience. 

This institution offers a 5-year degree certificate in BSc Nursing, priding itself in effective teaching and providing quality and accurate training to its nursing students.

5. University of Benin, School of Nursing

The great UNIBEN is an alma mater tested and trusted by thousands of students in Nigeria. Like all the other Federal universities mentioned above, the tuition fees here are reasonable and affordable for the average Nigerian. The university also offers short courses, including midwifery, intensive care nursing, pediatric nursing, etc.

6. Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital

Ahmadu Bello takes a week for the North with this entrance and announces itself as one of the best nursing schools in Nigeria. This federal government institution offers a comprehensive 3-year basic nursing program. 

The associated teaching hospital is widely recognized as one of the finest in the nation, guaranteeing students an exceptional quality of training. 

Securing admission into this prestigious institution is not a day’s work, as their admission process is designed to prepare candidates for the rigorous academic standards and demands they will be subjected to.

7. ECWA, School of Nursing

ECWA School of Nursing, located in Kogi state, is one of the few private universities to make it to the list, and for the perfect reason. The school offers two nursing programs: a four-year Bachelor of Nursing Science program and a post-basic nursing program.

The post-basic nursing program is designed for registered nurses who want to further their education and expand their knowledge and skills. The schools are challenging to get into, and if you wish to be admitted, you must burn those midnight candles.

8. Lagos University Teaching Hospital, School of Nursing

Established in 1962, LUTH serves as a pride training ground for medical professionals, including nurses, and has found some of the best medical professionals from their gray walls. 

The school offers two nursing programs like ECWA above, a 3-year basic nursing program and a post-basic nursing program. The school is duly accredited and has a welcoming learning environment.

9. Bayero University, Kano, Department of Nursing Sciences

Consistently achieving accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Department of Nursing Sciences at BUK stands tall as one of the best nursing schools in Nigeria. 

It is incredibly proud of producing doctors to tackle the multitude of health conditions that plague the North. BUK is a welcoming environment for you to school with lovely scenery and atmosphere.

10. School Of Nursing Ogbomosho (SONO)

Located in the same state as the University of Ibadan, this Bowen University-owned institution has actively trained the best young nurses Nigeria can offer. They take great pride in their highly skilled workforce and their state-of-the-art nursing training technology, which I can testify to. Their simulation training helps the young nurses familiarize themselves with real-life medical situations.

11. Mater School of Nursing

Located in Ebonyi State, this Catholic-owned institution makes it to the list in style. It is a school under the Mater Misericordiae Hospital in Ebonyi State. The school is well known for training passionate students. In case you are wondering, the school is affordable, and yes, it is accredited.

12. Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital

Located in Anambra, this institution is one of the best nursing schools in Nigeria. It offers BSc, Masters, and Doctor of Philosophy programs. It also provides continuing programs for nurses already in the field and offers specialized training in pediatric nursing, geriatric nursing, and critical care nursing. It’s one of my personal favorites as I am sure of the level of facilities used to train their students.

13. Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, School of Nursing

Being one of the best universities in the Northern part of Nigeria. This institution houses the School College of Health Sciences with medicine and nursing students. Thus, the institution trains students to be professionals in both the theoretical and practical aspects of nursing.

14. University of Calabar Teaching Hospital 

Coming in from Cross River is the Calabar Teaching Hospital, a pinnacle of institutional learning. The institution offers a 4-year Nursing program, after which you are rewarded with a BSc in nursing. 

My love for this school is the heavy focus on clinical experience. The students are regularly sent on clinical postings to familiarize them with life situations in the field and ultimately make them better nurses.

15. University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital

Last but not the least is this institution. While it might not be the best on this list, it holds a candle. The university offers a five-year BSc program for nursing, which, after completing, the individual can take the professional Nursing Council exams and become a certified Nurse. The department also offers master’s and PhD options in the same course, making it one of the few universities to do this.

NOTE: The university you choose here is heavily influenced by your location, financial strength, and the duration of training you want. You can check the universities’ sites to gain more information.

And that’s a wrap; we looked at the best nursing schools in Nigeria, the type of nursing schools they are, and what made these universities the top ranking exactly.  Please pick from this list, and don’t be shy about going through our website. We have more posts like this.