NMCN Accredited Nursing Schools in Nigeria (2027): How to Check Before You Apply

Choosing a nursing school is one of the biggest decisions a young Nigerian can make. Done well, it leads to a respected profession with opportunities at home and abroad. Done badly, it can mean years of study at an institution that is not approved, students who cannot be indexed, and graduates who are not allowed to sit the professional examination. Every year, families lose money and students lose time to unapproved programmes or schools that admit more students than they are allowed.

This guide explains how the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) approves and accredits nursing and midwifery training institutions, how to check the official list before you apply for 2027 admission, the different types of nursing schools and universities, admission quotas and embargoes, the warning signs of a risky school, and how to choose the right programme for your goals.

Why NMCN approval matters

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria regulates nursing and midwifery education and practice under the Nursing and Midwifery (Registration, etc.) Act. Among its responsibilities, NMCN:

• Sets standards for nursing and midwifery training programmes.
• Approves and accredits institutions and the specific programmes they may run.
• Approves admission quotas, the maximum number of students each institution may admit.
• Indexes students into approved programmes.
• Conducts professional examinations and registers and licenses successful candidates.

The practical consequence is simple: if your school or programme is not approved by NMCN, or if you are admitted beyond its approved quota, you may not be indexed, and without indexing you may not be able to sit the NMCN professional examination or be registered. That is why checking approval comes before everything else.

Approval, accreditation and “under accreditation”

You will see several terms used:

• Approved/accredited: the institution has met NMCN standards for a named programme and appears on the official list as approved or accredited for that programme.
• Under accreditation: some new institutions or departments receive advisory visits and permission to admit students annually while they work towards full accreditation. NMCN’s 2025 updated list, published in early 2026, included 275 approved or accredited institutions and a separate list of 65 departments under accreditation.
• Embargo on admission: NMCN can place an embargo on an institution, meaning it must not admit new students, usually because standards are not being met. In the 2025 updated list, a small number of institutions were marked “embargo on admission”.
• Absorbed or merged: some schools are absorbed into universities or merged with other institutions, and their status changes.

Approval is programme-specific. A school approved for General Nursing is not automatically approved for Midwifery, Community Nursing or a post basic specialty. Always check that the exact programme you want is listed against the institution.

How to check a nursing school on the official NMCN list

1. Go to the official NMCN website. The web address ends in nmcn.gov.ng. Look for the “Approved Schools” section.
2. Open the latest list. NMCN publishes a list of approved or accredited nursing training institutions and their approved programmes, usually as a downloadable document. Check the date or title to make sure it is the most recent version.
3. Search for the institution’s exact name and state. Many schools have similar names. Check that the name and state match exactly.
4. Check the programme. Make sure the specific programme you want (for example, Nursing, Midwifery, Community Nursing, Public Health Nursing or a post basic specialty) is listed for that institution.
5. Look for special notes. Watch for remarks such as “embargo on admission”, “under accreditation” or “absorbed”.
6. Ask the school for evidence. A legitimate school will happily show you its NMCN approval letter and current admission quota.
7. If in doubt, contact NMCN. NMCN’s offices can confirm an institution’s status.

For university degree programmes, also check that the university and its Nursing Science programme are approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC), in addition to NMCN requirements.

Types of nursing and midwifery training in Nigeria

University degree programmes (BNSc)

The Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) is typically a five-year university degree that combines academic study with clinical training and professional examinations. Graduates are registered as nurses and often also as midwives or public health nurses, depending on their programme. BNSc graduates are well placed for leadership roles, postgraduate study and international opportunities, many of which prefer or require a degree.

Examples of well-established federal universities that have long offered Nursing Science include the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, the University of Nigeria, the University of Lagos, the University of Benin, Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University Kano, the University of Jos, the University of Calabar, the University of Port Harcourt, the University of Maiduguri and the University of Ilorin. Many state and private universities also run approved nursing programmes. This is not a ranking or a complete list; always confirm current approval and admission status on the official NMCN and NUC lists before you apply.

Colleges and schools of nursing (General Nursing)

Colleges and schools of nursing, often attached to teaching hospitals, federal medical centres or state hospitals, run General Nursing programmes. Many have been upgraded to colleges of nursing sciences, and some now run diploma-level programmes or affiliations with universities as part of ongoing reforms to nursing education. Graduates sit NMCN professional examinations and register as nurses.

Schools and colleges of midwifery

Basic Midwifery programmes train students directly as midwives. Post Basic Midwifery programmes allow registered nurses to qualify additionally as midwives.

Community nursing and community midwifery

These programmes prepare nurses and midwives for primary health care in communities, an area of great need across Nigeria.

Post basic specialty programmes

Registered nurses can train in specialties such as perioperative, critical care, accident and emergency, paediatric, mental health and psychiatric, ophthalmic, orthopaedic, anaesthetic, cardiothoracic and nephrology nursing, among others, at approved specialty schools, usually attached to teaching hospitals.

Admission quotas: why they matter to you

NMCN approves an admission quota for each institution and programme, based on facilities, staff and clinical placement capacity. Schools that admit more students than their quota put those extra students at risk: they may not be indexed, which can block their path to the professional examination. When you receive an admission offer:

• Ask the school what its approved NMCN quota is for your programme and year.
• Ask how many students it admitted.
• Ask when indexing will take place and how you will be informed.

A school that cannot or will not answer these questions clearly is a warning sign.

Red flags: how to spot a risky nursing school

• The institution or programme does not appear on the latest NMCN list.
• The school is marked “embargo on admission” but is still advertising admission.
• Admission is offered without the usual entry requirements (such as required credit passes and entrance examinations).
• Unusually low fees, or pressure to pay immediately to “secure your place”.
• Promises of “guaranteed indexing” or “guaranteed pass” for extra payment.
• No functioning skills laboratory, library or clinical placement partnerships.
• No qualified nurse tutors, or tutors who cannot show their registration.
• Vague answers about NMCN approval, quotas and indexing.
• Advertising only through social media with no physical campus you can visit.

How to choose the right nursing school

Once you have a shortlist of approved schools, compare them on:

• Professional examination results: ask about the school’s pass rate in recent NMCN examinations. Pass rates differ widely between institutions.
• Clinical placements: where students train, and whether the attached hospital offers a wide range of specialties.
• Facilities: skills laboratory, library, internet access, hostels and safety.
• Tutors: number and qualifications of nurse educators.
• Cost: total fees, accommodation, uniforms, books, examination and indexing fees, and how fees are paid.
• Qualification: a university degree (BNSc), a college of nursing programme or another route, and how it fits your long-term goals at home or abroad.
• Location: distance from home, cost of living and safety.
• Reputation: speak to current students and recent graduates.

Entry requirements: what to expect for 2027 admission

Requirements vary by institution and programme, but typically include:

• Credit passes in at least five relevant subjects at O’Level (WAEC, NECO or equivalent), usually including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, often in not more than two sittings.
• For university degrees, a suitable UTME score through JAMB with the right subject combination, plus the university’s post-UTME screening.
• For colleges of nursing, the school’s own entrance examination and interview, and JAMB registration where the school requires it.
• Minimum age requirements set by the institution.
• Medical fitness.

Admission cycles for 2027 typically begin with JAMB registration and school entrance examination advertisements in late 2026 and early 2027. Watch for official adverts on school websites and in national newspapers, and never pay agents who claim they can secure admission for a fee.

Thinking about working abroad later?

Many Nigerian nurses eventually work in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other countries. Regulators abroad assess your training, so attending a properly approved school and keeping complete records of your transcripts, clinical hours and registration will make your future applications much easier. A degree (BNSc) can be an advantage in some countries. See our guide to nursing abroad registration routes.

University degree or college of nursing: which route suits you?

Both routes lead to registration as a nurse, but they suit different goals and circumstances:

• Choose a university BNSc if you want a degree from the start, are interested in leadership, education, research or advanced practice roles, plan to pursue a master’s degree, or hope to work in countries where a degree is preferred. Admission is competitive and the programme is longer, typically five years.
• Choose a college or school of nursing if you want a strongly clinical, hospital-based training, often closer to home, with the option to complete a degree later through a top-up or conversion programme. Many excellent senior nurses trained this way.

Whichever route you choose, the most important factor is that the institution and programme are approved by NMCN, followed by the quality of teaching and clinical exposure.

Questions to ask when you visit a nursing school

• Can I see your current NMCN approval letter for this programme?
• What is your approved admission quota, and how many students did you admit last year?
• When does indexing happen, and what does it cost?
• What was your pass rate in the last two NMCN professional examinations?
• Which hospitals do students train in, and how are placements supervised?
• How many qualified nurse tutors do you have for each class?
• What is the total cost of the programme, including examination and indexing fees?
• Is accommodation available, and how is student safety managed?
• What support is available for students who struggle academically or financially?

Write the answers down and compare schools side by side. A good school will be transparent; a poor one will be vague.

Planning the cost of nursing school

Fees vary widely between federal, state, mission and private institutions. When budgeting, include:

• Tuition and acceptance fees.
• Accommodation and feeding.
• Uniforms, shoes and clinical equipment such as a watch with a second hand, scissors and a pen torch.
• Books and study materials.
• Indexing, examination and registration fees payable to NMCN through the school.
• Transport to clinical placements.
• Internet and data for online learning and portals.

Some state governments, hospitals, religious bodies and private foundations offer bursaries or bonded scholarships for nursing students, sometimes in return for working in a particular area after graduation. Ask the school and your state’s health or education authorities what is available. Our guide to undergraduate nursing scholarships for 2026 to 2027 lists international options too.

Advice for parents and guardians

Parents often make or fund the final decision. Before paying, insist on seeing evidence of NMCN approval for the specific programme, visit the campus in person, speak to current students, and ask about the school’s examination pass rates and indexing process. Be wary of agents offering “special admission” for a fee. Keep all receipts and admission documents safely. A few hours of checking can protect years of your child’s life.

Men in nursing

Nursing in Nigeria remains predominantly female, but more men are training as nurses, and they are welcome in the profession. Male nurses work in every specialty, including theatre, emergency care, mental health, critical care and community health, and many hold senior leadership positions. If you are a young man interested in nursing, check that your chosen school admits male students into your preferred programme, as some midwifery programmes have historically admitted only women.

A 2027 admission timeline

• Now to early 2027: shortlist schools, download the latest NMCN approved list, and check each school and programme.
• Before JAMB registration: confirm the subject combination required by your chosen universities and colleges.
• When entrance examinations are advertised: apply only through official channels, and prepare well for entrance tests and interviews.
• When you receive an offer: verify approval, quota and indexing plans before paying acceptance fees.
• In your first year: confirm with your school that you have been indexed by NMCN, and keep a copy of your indexing details.

Life as a nursing student: what to expect

Nursing training is demanding. Expect long days that combine classroom learning with clinical placements, early mornings, night duties in later years, practical examinations and a large amount of reading. You will study anatomy and physiology, nursing fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing, maternal and child health, mental health, community health, pharmacology and professional ethics, among other subjects. The work is challenging but deeply rewarding: you will help people through some of the most important moments of their lives. Students who succeed usually plan their study time, ask questions early, form supportive study groups and look after their own health and sleep.

Specialising after you qualify

After registering as a nurse, you can continue your education through post basic specialty programmes, a top-up degree if you trained at a college, or postgraduate study after a BNSc. Specialties such as critical care, perioperative nursing, paediatrics, mental health and nephrology are in demand in Nigeria and abroad. Approved post basic schools are also on the NMCN list, so apply the same checks before you enrol in a specialty programme.

Common myths about nursing schools in Nigeria

• “All schools attached to hospitals are automatically approved.” Approval is granted by NMCN for specific programmes. Hospital ownership alone does not guarantee approval.
• “If the school has a website and a signboard, it must be legitimate.” Unapproved institutions can look very professional. Only the official NMCN list confirms approval.
• “Indexing can always be sorted out later.” Students admitted beyond quota or into unapproved programmes may never be indexed.
• “A cheaper school is just as good.” Low fees can mean inadequate facilities, few qualified tutors and poor examination results. Compare value, not just price.
• “Agents can guarantee admission.” Legitimate admission happens through official processes. Paying agents puts you at risk of fraud.

Taking the time to verify a school protects your money, your time and your future career as a nurse or midwife.

Remember that the official list is updated from time to time, so check it again just before you accept an offer, not only when you first start researching schools. A school’s status can change between one admission season and the next.

If you are unsure how to read the list, ask a nurse tutor, a registered nurse in your family or community, or the NMCN office in your zone to help you interpret it before you commit.

Frequently asked questions

How many nursing schools are approved by NMCN?

NMCN’s 2025 updated list, published in early 2026, included 275 approved or accredited institutions and 65 departments under accreditation. Numbers change as new schools are approved and others are suspended or merged, so always check the latest list.

Is a school “under accreditation” safe to attend?

Institutions under accreditation have NMCN permission to admit students annually while working towards full accreditation. They can be legitimate, but check that your intake year is approved and ask about the timeline for full accreditation.

What happens if my school loses approval?

NMCN may place an embargo or withdraw approval. Arrangements for existing students vary. Contact NMCN and your school promptly, and keep copies of all your records.

Are college of nursing programmes recognised?

Nursing programmes run at approved colleges of nursing sciences are recognised for registration when the programme and institution are approved by NMCN. Check the specific programme on the NMCN list.

Can I transfer from one nursing school to another?

Transfers are possible in some cases but depend on both institutions and NMCN rules on indexing. Seek advice before you leave a programme.

But what if I have already paid an unapproved school?

Act quickly. Ask the school in writing for evidence of NMCN approval for your programme and intake year. If it cannot provide it, contact NMCN to confirm the school’s status. Consider applying to an approved school for the next intake, even if it means losing some time, rather than continuing in a programme that may never lead to registration. Keep receipts and records in case you need to seek a refund or legal advice. Losing a year is painful; losing four is far worse.

Related: NMCN indexing explained · How to check your NMCN result online · How to choose a nursing school

Sources: Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (List of Approved/Accredited Nursing Training Institutions, 2025 updated, published January 2026; Nursing and Midwifery (Registration, etc.) Act), National Universities Commission, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. Approval status changes; always confirm with NMCN.