Accredited Nursing Colleges Offering ND/HND in Nigeria: Full List, Programmes, and Requirements

Before anyone can practice as a registered nurse in Nigeria, they must first complete at least three years of diploma-level training at an accredited nursing school. Yet nursing diplomas carry an unfair stigma in Nigeria; Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives holding ND certificates are often paid less and looked down on, despite investing the same years of study required for other nursing qualifications.

If you’re weighing your options, this guide covers 10 accredited nursing colleges offering ND/HND in Nigeria, the exact programmes each one runs, how long they take, and the educational requirements you’ll need to meet before you apply.

Table of Contents

1. What Does ND/HND Mean in Nigerian Nursing Education?
2. Nursing Education in Nigeria: Pathways
3. Types of Accreditation by NMCN
4. 10 Accredited Nursing Colleges Offering ND/HND in Nigeria
   • 1. College of Nursing and Midwifery, Eleyele, Ibadan
   • 2. School of Nursing, National Hospital, Abuja
   • 3. School of Psychiatric Nursing, Aro, Abeokuta
   • 4. School of Nursing, Katsina
   • 5. College of Nursing Sciences, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)
   • 6. School of Nursing, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan
   • 7. College of Nursing Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria
   • 8. College of Nursing Sciences, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu
   • 9. Kaduna State College of Nursing and Midwifery
   • 10. Kano State College of Nursing Sciences
5. What to Check Before Enrolling in a Nursing College
6. Why the Stigma Around Nursing Diplomas Persists and Why It Shouldn’t
7. How to Apply for Nursing Colleges Offering ND/HND in Nigeria
8. Frequently Asked Questions
9. Conclusion

What Does ND/HND Mean in Nigerian Nursing Education?

Like most diploma programs in Nigeria, nursing training is split into two consecutive stages: the National Diploma (ND) and the Higher National Diploma (HND). Students typically complete the ND stage first, earning a general nursing license, before progressing to HND-level or post-basic specialization.

Accredited nursing colleges offering ND/HND in Nigeria must be approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). This accreditation is non-negotiable, since it determines whether your certificate and license will actually be recognized once you graduate.

Nursing Education in Nigeria: Pathways

Nursing education in Nigeria follows several distinct pathways, and understanding them helps put ND/HND programmes in context:

• Basic Nursing (RN) programmes run for three years at Colleges of Nursing Sciences and Schools of Nursing, leading to a Registered Nurse (RN) license after the NMCN final examination.
• ND/HND Nursing programmes are offered by colleges affiliated with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) framework, typically running three to four years and requiring JAMB/UTME participation, and culminate in the same RN licensing process.
• Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) degrees are offered by universities and typically take four to five years, awarding a degree alongside RN and Registered Midwife (RM) eligibility.
• Post-Basic Nursing programmes are specialist tracks — psychiatric, perioperative, oncology, ophthalmic, paediatric, and others — open only to nurses who already hold a general nursing license, usually lasting 12 to 24 months.

Regardless of the pathway, every graduate must sit the NMCN licensing examination before they can legally practice, and the issuing institution must carry current NMCN accreditation for that license to be valid.

READ ALSO: List of Best Nursing Schools in Nigeria

Types of Accreditation by NMCN

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria classifies the accreditation status of nursing training institutions into several categories, and knowing the difference matters before you commit to any school:

• Full Accreditation: The highest status a nursing school can hold, granted when an institution fully meets NMCN’s standards for facilities, staffing, and clinical training. Full accreditation status lasts five years before the school must undergo re-verification.
• Provisional (Interim) Accreditation: Granted to schools that meet most, but not all, NMCN requirements. Provisional accreditation lasts two years, during which the institution must correct outstanding deficiencies ahead of a follow-up accreditation visit.
• Embargo on Student Intake: Applied when NMCN identifies deficiencies serious enough to pause new admissions altogether. The embargo remains indefinite until the school rectifies the issues and passes a resource verification visit.
• Denied or Withdrawn Accreditation: The most serious status, indicating a school no longer meets NMCN’s required standards or was never approved to begin with. This status is indefinite until deficiencies are corrected and a new accreditation visit is conducted.

NMCN publishes accreditation status yearly in national dailies and on its official portal, so it’s always worth confirming a school’s current standing directly with NMCN before applying, accreditation status can and does change between admission cycles.

10 Accredited Nursing Colleges Offering ND/HND in Nigeria

1. College of Nursing and Midwifery, Eleyele, Ibadan

Programme: General Nursing (ND-track) | Duration: 3 years Requirements: Minimum of five O’Level credits, including core subjects, obtained in no more than two sittings.

Eleyele College of Nursing and Midwifery may not top every list of Nigeria’s most prestigious nursing schools, but it fills a critical gap for candidates who don’t have the qualifications or funding for a full nursing degree. Graduates sit the NMCN licensing examination to earn their general nursing license (RN), which also qualifies them for admission into post-basic nursing schools later on.

2. School of Nursing, National Hospital, Abuja

Programmes: Post-Basic Oncology, Nephrology, and Critical Care Nursing | Duration: 12–18 months Requirements: Existing general nursing license (RN) plus a minimum of six months’ post-qualification clinical experience.

This post-basic school trains already-licensed nurses into specialists who care for cancer patients, patients with chronic kidney conditions, and critical or emergency cases. Since it’s a federal government-owned institution, tuition is subsidized.

3. School of Psychiatric Nursing, Aro, Abeokuta

Programme: Post-Basic Psychiatric Nursing | Duration: Typically 12–18 months (post-basic track) Requirements: General nursing license (RN) and prior clinical experience.

Aro is the first psychiatric nursing school of its kind in Nigeria and Africa. As a specialty institution, it offers only post-basic education, training already-licensed nurses in one of the most in-demand nursing disciplines globally.

4. School of Nursing, Katsina

Programme: General Nursing conversion for Registered Midwives | Duration: 18 months, 3 semesters Requirements: Existing Registered Midwife (RM) qualification; approved by NMCN.

This program is specifically designed for Registered Midwives who want to add a general nursing license to their credentials, combining practical skills training with the clinical experience needed to qualify as an RN.

5. College of Nursing Sciences, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)

Programme: ND/HND Nursing Sciences | Duration: 4 years Requirements: Five O’Level credits (English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry) in no more than two sittings; JAMB score of 180 and above; minimum age of 16.

LUTH’s College of Nursing Sciences, established in 1962, is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most respected nursing training institutions. Graduates are awarded Registered Nurse (RN) and Registered Midwife (RM) certificates alongside the HND in Nursing Sciences. The school also runs 12-month post-basic specializations in perioperative, accident and emergency, paediatric, and critical care nursing.

6. School of Nursing, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan

Programme: Basic Nursing Education | Duration: 3 years Requirements: Five O’Level credits in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB), not more than two sittings; minimum age of 17.

Established in 1952, UCH’s School of Nursing is one of Nigeria’s most respected healthcare training institutions. Graduates qualify to register as General Nurses (RN) with the NMCN. UCH also runs post-basic Midwifery (18 months) and Perioperative Nursing (1 year, for already-licensed RNs) programmes.

7. College of Nursing Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria

Programme: Basic General Nursing | Duration: 3 years Requirements: Five O’Level credits (English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology), not more than two sittings; candidates must be between 17½ and 26 years old.

ABUTH is widely regarded as one of the best nursing training centers in northern Nigeria. Beyond the basic programme, it runs post-basic tracks in Midwifery, Ophthalmic Nursing, Paediatric Nursing, and Anaesthesia Nursing, each requiring an existing RN license and lasting roughly 18 months to 2 years.

8. College of Nursing Sciences, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu

Programme: ND Nursing / Basic Nursing | Duration: 3–4 years depending on track Requirements: Five O’Level credits (English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics), not more than two sittings; UTME score of at least 150–180 depending on the admission cycle.

UNTH’s College of Nursing Sciences, affiliated with the University of Nigeria Nsukka, is known for rigorous clinical training. Alongside its ND/basic nursing track, the college offers a 5-year BNSc degree and post-basic specializations such as Nursing Anaesthesia (18 months).

9. Kaduna State College of Nursing and Midwifery

Programme: Basic Nursing | Duration: 3 years (6 semesters) Requirements: Five O’Level credits (English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics), not more than two sittings; UTME participation with the college as first choice.

Operating across multiple campuses, Kaduna State College of Nursing and Midwifery is one of the largest nursing training providers in northern Nigeria, offering general nursing, midwifery, and public health nursing tracks.

10. Kano State College of Nursing Sciences

Programme: ND/HND Nursing | Duration: 4 years (ND, followed by HND, RM, or RPHN specialization, plus a compulsory internship) Requirements: Five O’Level credits (English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics), not more than two sittings; UTME score of 160 and above with the college selected as first choice.

One of Nigeria’s pioneer nursing schools, established in 1948, Kano State College of Nursing Sciences operates across four campuses — Kano, Madobi, Dambatta, and Gwarzo — making it one of the more accessible accredited nursing colleges offering ND/HND in Nigeria for candidates in the north.

What to Check Before Enrolling in a Nursing College

• Confirm NMCN accreditation. Always verify the school appears on the official list of NMCN-approved institutions before applying — an unaccredited certificate won’t get you licensed.
• Understand the fee structure. Ask whether the school allows installment payments and clarify penalties for late payment upfront.
• Investigate teaching quality. Ask current students or recent graduates about the standard of instruction.
• Check for practical resources. Nursing education leans heavily on hands-on training, confirm the school has adequate clinical facilities.
• Talk to alumni. Former students are often the most honest source on a school’s real strengths and weaknesses.

Why the Stigma Around Nursing Diplomas Persists and Why It Shouldn’t

Much of the frustration around ND/HND nursing credentials in Nigeria comes down to pay disparity: many diploma-holding Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives report being compensated less than degree-holding peers, despite sitting the same licensing exam.

That said, for many aspiring nurses, ND/HND programs remain the most realistic entry point into the profession. Choosing one of the accredited nursing colleges offering ND/HND in Nigeria still leads to full NMCN licensure, and licensure is what ultimately determines your ability to practice, specialize, and advance.

Read also: list of federal Nursing in Nigeria

How to Apply for Nursing Colleges Offering ND/HND in Nigeria

The application process is broadly similar across accredited nursing colleges offering ND/HND in Nigeria, though exact fees and portal links vary by school. Here’s the general sequence:

1. Sit for JAMB/UTME. Most ND/HND nursing programmes require a valid JAMB registration number and UTME score, typically in English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
2. Select the college as your first choice. During or after JAMB registration, choose your target nursing college as your first-choice institution on the JAMB CAPS portal — if it wasn’t your original first choice, you can request a change through JAMB.
3. Meet the cut-off mark. Each college publishes its own minimum UTME score, generally ranging from 150 to 200 depending on the institution and admission cycle. Confirm the current cut-off directly on the school’s website before applying.
4. Apply for the Post-UTME/screening form. Visit the specific college’s official admission portal, create a profile using your JAMB registration number, and pay the prescribed application fee (commonly between ₦5,000 and ₦25,000) via Remita or a similar platform.
5. Upload your O’Level results. Submit your O’Level credits — usually English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics — through the college portal and, where required, onto the JAMB CAPS system.
6. Sit the entrance examination and/or interview. Most colleges require a computer-based or written entrance test, followed by an oral interview for shortlisted candidates.
7. Submit required documents. These typically include your JAMB result slip, O’Level certificates, birth certificate or age declaration, passport photographs, and payment receipts.
8. Confirm admission and register. If selected, follow the school’s instructions to accept your offer, pay acceptance fees, and complete registration — including any medical fitness examination the college may require.

Always apply directly through a college’s official website, and most colleges warn against third-party “agents” who claim to guarantee admission for a fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are ND/HND nursing certificates recognized in Nigeria? Yes — as long as the issuing college is accredited by the NMCN, the ND/HND certificate is fully recognized and qualifies graduates to sit the licensing exam.

2. What are the entry requirements for accredited nursing colleges offering ND/HND in Nigeria? Most require at least five O’Level credits (English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) in no more than two sittings. JAMB-linked programmes also require a qualifying UTME score, usually between 150 and 200 depending on the school.

3. Can I specialize after completing an ND nursing program? Yes. After earning a general nursing license, graduates can apply to post-basic nursing schools — such as those at National Hospital Abuja, ABUTH Zaria, or UCH Ibadan — to specialize in fields like oncology, psychiatric care, or perioperative nursing.

4. How do I verify if a nursing school in Nigeria is accredited? Check the official list of NMCN-approved institutions before applying to confirm the school’s certificate and licensing exam will be recognized nationally.

5. Why do ND/HND nurses get paid less in Nigeria? This largely reflects a persistent industry bias rather than a difference in competency — ND/HND nurses sit the same NMCN licensing exam as degree-holding counterparts but are often undervalued in pay structures across many Nigerian healthcare institutions.

Conclusion

Choosing among accredited nursing colleges offering ND/HND in Nigeria comes down to accreditation, programme duration, and the specialty path you want to pursue. Whichever school you choose, NMCN accreditation remains the one non-negotiable that determines whether your years of training will actually count.

Choosing among accredited nursing colleges offering ND/HND in Nigeria doesn’t have to be overwhelming once you know what to look for. Start by confirming NMCN accreditation status, then match a school’s programme, duration, and entry requirements to your own academic profile and career goals, whether that’s a straightforward 3-year basic nursing route or a more specialized post-basic track down the line.