Best Nursing Colleges in Kano 2026: Full List OF NMCN Accredited schools Status
Abdullahi Suleiman
September 7, 2026
Nursing is one of the most respected and noble professions in Nigeria. Nurses play a vital role in the healthcare system, providing compassionate care and support to patients in various settings. However, despite their crucial role, nurses in Nigeria are often undervalued and underpaid. In this article, we will explore best nursing colleges in kano and current state of nurses’ salaries in Nigeria and the highest-paid nursing specialties in the country.
Kano State has one of the largest concentrations of nursing colleges in Kano anywhere in northern Nigeria, spanning federal university departments, a multi-campus state college, hospital-based specialty training schools, and a growing number of private colleges. This guide covers every nursing college in Kano currently on record, with accreditation status verified against the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria’s (NMCN) official December 2026 register, so you know exactly where each institution actually stands.
Table of Contents
- Overview of Nursing Colleges in Kano
- Nursing Colleges in Kano: Accreditation Status (Verified Against NMCN, December 2025)
- University-Based Nursing Colleges in Kano
- College of Nursing Sciences, Kano (State-Owned, Multi-Campus)
- Hospital-Based Specialty Nursing Training in Kano
- list of best Private Nursing Colleges in Kano
- Prerequisite subjects for nursing
- General Admission Requirements
- Admission process
- FAQs About Nursing Colleges in Kano
- Conclusion
Overview of Nursing Colleges in Kano
If you only have a minute, here’s the shortlist of the most established nursing colleges in Kano:
- Department of Nursing Science, Bayero University Kano (BUK) – Fully accredited BSc Nursing degree
- College of Nursing Sciences, Kano (main campus + Madobi, Danbatta, Gezawa, Gwarzo campuses) – Fully accredited state-run diploma programmes
- Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) – Fully accredited post-basic specialty nursing programmes
- Nafisatu College of Nursing Sciences, Kwankwaso – Fully accredited private nursing and midwifery diploma
- Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila – Fully accredited BSc Nursing degree
Nursing Colleges in Kano: Accreditation Status (Verified Against NMCN, December 2025)
Below is a full, categorized breakdown of nursing colleges in Kano, with verified accreditation status.
| Institution | Type | Accreditation Status (NMCN, Dec 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Bayero University Kano (BUK) | Federal university | Full, June 2024 |
| Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila | Private university | Full, March 2024 |
| Maryam Abacha American University, Kano | Private university | Full, December 2023 |
| Skyline University, Kano | Private university | Provisional, October 2025 (New) |
| College of Nursing Sciences, Kano (+ Madobi, Danbatta, Gezawa, Gwarzo campuses) | State college | Full, December 2023 |
| Nafisatu College of Nursing Sciences, Kwankwaso | Private college | Full, September 2024 |
| National Orthopaedic Hospital (NOH), Dala | Federal hospital school | Full (most programmes), Provisional (Burns & Plastic) |
| Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) | Federal hospital school | Full, February 2025 (all specialties) |
| Dansharif College of Nursing Sciences, Kano | Private college | Provisional, March 2023 |
| Umar Ringim School of Post Basic Anaesthetic Nursing | Hospital-based school | Provisional, February 2021 |
| Aminu Dabo College of Nursing Sciences, Kano | Private college | Provisional, March 2024 |
| Emirate College of Nursing Sciences, Kano | Private college | Provisional, October 2024 |
| Hamdala College of Nursing Science, Kano | Private college | Provisional, October 2024 |
| Sudawa College of Nursing Sciences | Private college | Provisional, March 2023 |
| Flagship College of Nursing Sciences, Kano | Private college | Provisional, June 2024 (New) |
| Iman College of Nursing Sciences, Kano | Private college | Provisional, October 2025 (New) |
University-Based Nursing Colleges in Kano
Department of Nursing Science, Bayero University Kano (BUK) is the region’s flagship BSc Nursing programme, fully accredited by the NMCN as of June 2024, awarding a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing after the standard university programme duration.
Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila offers a fully accredited (March 2024) Department of Nursing Sciences leading to a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree.
Maryam Abacha American University, Kano runs a Faculty of Nursing Sciences that is fully accredited (December 2023), also awarding a B.N.Sc.
Skyline University, Kano is a newer entrant among nursing colleges in Kano, with its nursing programme currently holding Provisional accreditation as of October 2025 — a status that typically lasts two years before a full review.
College of Nursing Sciences, Kano (State-Owned, Multi-Campus)
The College of Nursing Sciences, Kano is the backbone of state-run nursing colleges in Kano, holding full NMCN accreditation (December 2023) across its main campus and satellite campuses:
- Kano (main campus): Nursing and Community Nursing programmes
- Madobi Campus: Nursing and Community Nursing programmes
- Danbatta Campus: Midwifery and Community Midwifery programmes
- Gezawa Campus: Post Basic Midwifery (Provisional, July 2024)
- Gwarzo Campus: Basic Midwifery and Community Midwifery programmes
- Ophthalmic Nursing Programme: Provisional, July 2024 (new addition)
Graduates receive Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Midwife (RM) status depending on their programme, plus community-level certifications where applicable.
READ ALSO: Best Nursing Schools in Nigeria
Hospital-Based Specialty Nursing Training in Kano
Beyond general nursing and midwifery, several federal hospital-affiliated schools offer post-basic specialty training among nursing colleges in Kano:
Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) offers Post Basic Paediatric, Nephrology, Critical Care, and Perioperative Nursing — all fully accredited as of February 2025.
National Orthopaedic Hospital (NOH), Dala offers Post Basic Orthopaedic Nursing (Full, October 2020) and Post Basic Accident & Emergency Nursing (Full, July 2022), while its Burns & Plastic Nursing programme remains on Provisional status.
Umar Ringim School of Post Basic Anaesthetic Nursing, based at Murtala Mohammed Hospital, holds Provisional accreditation (February 2021) — worth noting since it’s sometimes referred to informally as “Umaru Ringim College of Nursing Sciences” with claims of full accreditation that don’t match its official NMCN status.
list of best Private Nursing Colleges in Kano
Several private nursing colleges in Kano offer General Nursing and Midwifery diplomas, most currently holding Provisional rather than Full accreditation:
- Nafisatu College of Nursing Sciences, Kwankwaso — Full accreditation, September 2024 (the most established private option)
- Dansharif College of Nursing Sciences, Kano — Provisional, March 2023
- Aminu Dabo College of Nursing Sciences, Kano — Provisional, March 2024
- Emirate College of Nursing Sciences, Kano — Provisional, October 2024
- Hamdala College of Nursing Science, Kano — Provisional, October 2024
- Sudawa College of Nursing Sciences — Provisional, March 2023
- Flagship College of Nursing Sciences, Kano — Provisional, June 2024 (newly listed)
- Iman College of Nursing Sciences, Kano — Provisional, October 2025 (newly listed)
Provisional accreditation typically lasts two years, after which NMCN reassesses the institution for full status — so a Provisional listing isn’t a red flag on its own, but it’s a detail worth knowing before enrolling.
Prerequisite subjects for nursing
The world of nursing offers a dynamic and fulfilling career path, allowing you to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. But before embarking on this exciting journey, you’ll need to fulfill specific prerequisite subjects for nursing.
These foundational courses equip you with the scientific knowledge and critical thinking skills essential for success in nursing school.
What Subjects are Needed for Nursing?
While specific requirements may vary slightly between institutions, some general prerequisite subjects for nursing are common across most nursing programs. These typically include:
- Anatomy and Physiology:
This core course delves into the human body’s structure and function, providing a critical understanding of how different organ systems work together.
- Microbiology:
Explore the world of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and their impact on human health and disease.
- Chemistry:
Gain a solid foundation in chemical principles, which play a vital role in understanding medication interactions and various physiological processes.
- Biology:
This foundational science course broadens your understanding of living organisms, including human biology and cellular processes.
- Mathematics:
Strong math skills are crucial for nurses in areas like dosage calculation, medication administration, and interpreting data from lab tests.
General Admission Requirements
While specific requirements vary by institution, most nursing colleges in Kano expect:
- A Senior Secondary Certificate (SSCE/WAEC/NECO) with credits in English, Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry
- For university BSc Nursing programmes (BUK, Al-Istiqama, Maryam Abacha American University): UTME and Post-UTME screening
- For diploma-level colleges: an entrance examination and interview conducted by the individual institution
- Age and health-fitness requirements set by each school
READ ALSO: Career Progression in Nursing
Admission process
1. Obtain the Application Form
Begin by acquiring the application form. This can usually be done online through the school’s official website or in person by visiting the school premises during the designated application period.
2. Complete Application Form; Fill out the application form with accurate and complete information. Include personal details, educational qualifications, and any other required information.
3. Pay Application Fee; Pay the application fee according to the instructions provided by the school. Payment methods and details are typically included along with the application form.
4. Attend Entrance Examination; Candidates who have submitted their application forms and paid the application fee will receive communication about the date, time, and venue for the entrance examination. This examination assesses your knowledge and aptitude for nursing.
5. Interview; After successfully completing the entrance examination, candidates move on to the interview stage. During the interview, the school assesses your communication skills, passion for nursing, and suitability for the program.
6. Notification of Admission; Following the interview, successful candidates receive official communication regarding their admission status. This communication may be in the form of an acceptance letter sent through email or regular mail.
7. Acceptance and Enrollment; Once admitted, candidates are usually required to accept the offer by a certain deadline and follow the enrollment instructions provided in the acceptance letter. This may involve submitting additional documents, paying an acceptance fee, and confirming your intent to join the program.
FAQs About Nursing Colleges in Kano
Which nursing colleges in Kano are fully accredited? Bayero University Kano, Al-Istiqama University, Maryam Abacha American University, the College of Nursing Sciences Kano (and its Madobi, Danbatta, Gwarzo campuses), Nafisatu College of Nursing Sciences, and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital’s specialty programmes all hold Full NMCN accreditation as of December 2025.
Are Dansharif, Emirate, Hamdala, and Sudawa Colleges accredited? Yes, but currently under Provisional accreditation rather than Full accreditation, according to the NMCN’s official December 2025 register — despite some listings online describing them as fully accredited.
Can I study a BSc Nursing degree in Kano? Yes. Bayero University Kano, Al-Istiqama University (Sumaila), and Maryam Abacha American University all offer NMCN-accredited Bachelor of Nursing Science degrees.
What specialty nursing programmes are available in Kano? Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital offers Paediatric, Nephrology, Critical Care, and Perioperative Nursing, while the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Dala offers Orthopaedic and Accident & Emergency Nursing specializations.
How much do nursing colleges in Kano charge in fees? Exact fees aren’t published in official NMCN records and vary by institution — state-run colleges are generally more affordable than private ones. Always confirm current fees directly with the school.
What does “Provisional accreditation” mean for a nursing college? It means the institution is approved to run its programme for a set period (typically two years) while NMCN monitors it further before deciding whether to grant Full accreditation.
Conclusion
Kano offers one of the widest ranges of nursing colleges in northern Nigeria, from federal university BSc programmes to a multi-campus state college and a growing cluster of private institutions. Because accreditation status changes over time, and some online listings haven’t kept pace with NMCN’s official records, always verify a school’s current status directly against the NMCN’s latest published list before applying to any nursing college in Kano.