Kwara State hosts a mix of federal, state-owned, and private institutions that train nurses, but the number of institutions offering nursing strictly under private ownership is smaller than the number offering it as a public programme. This article identifies the private options for nursing education in the state, breaks down what each one charges, and explains how their fees compare with the state-owned alternatives that many prospective students weigh against them.
Understanding “Private” in the Context of Nursing Training in Kwara State
Before comparing fees, it helps to separate ownership categories, since many prospective students confuse state-owned nursing colleges with private ones simply because both charge tuition. In Kwara State, nursing and midwifery training is provided through:
- Federal institutions, such as the School of Nursing at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, which is affiliated with a federal teaching hospital.
- State-owned institutions, such as the Kwara State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilorin, and its affiliated centres, which are run under the state Ministry of Health.
- State university programmes, such as the Bachelor of Nursing Science offered at Kwara State University (KWASU), which is a public university owned by the state government.
- Private institutions, which are owned and funded by private organisations, religious bodies, or individuals rather than government, and which set their own fee structures independent of state subvention.
Only the last category qualifies as a genuinely private nursing school. In Kwara State, the clearest example of a fully private institution offering an accredited nursing degree is Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, a faith-based private university that runs a Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc.) programme under its Faculty of Nursing Sciences. Other private health training providers exist in the state offering allied diploma-level health courses, but a formally accredited private nursing degree or diploma programme is currently concentrated in this university.
Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin: Nursing Science Fees
Al-Hikmah University is a privately owned, faith-based institution located in Ilorin, Kwara State, with an additional campus in Igbaja. It runs a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree that is fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and relevant professional nursing bodies. Because nursing is a practical, resource-intensive programme involving laboratory work and clinical placement in teaching hospitals, its fees sit among the higher tuition brackets at the university, alongside Medical Laboratory Science, Public Health, and Medicine and Surgery.
The table below sets out the tuition figures for the Nursing Science programme as published for recent sessions. Figures are broken down by level of study, since fresh (100 Level) students pay more than returning students due to one-off admission charges.
| Level | New/Fresh Student Fee | Returning Student Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 100 Level (Fresher) | Approx. ₦1,375,000 – ₦1,718,750 | Not applicable |
| 200 Level | Not applicable | Approx. ₦1,248,750 |
| 300 Level | Not applicable | Approx. ₦991,000 |
| 400 Level | Not applicable | Approx. ₦926,500 |
| 500 Level | Not applicable | Approx. ₦926,500 – ₦991,000 |
These figures cover tuition, laboratory access, examination charges, clinical training costs, ICT services, medical care, library use, and other institutional charges bundled into the approved fee schedule. Hostel accommodation is charged separately and varies depending on the room type and campus, generally ranging from roughly ₦75,000 to ₦250,000 per session. The university typically allows payment in two instalments, with a common split of 60 percent in the first semester and 40 percent in the second.
Candidates should treat the figures above as a guide rather than a fixed and unchanging number, since tuition at private universities is reviewed most sessions and the amount published for a new admission cycle can differ from the previous one. The safest approach is to confirm the exact figure for the current session directly from the university’s official fees schedule or bursary office before making any payment.
Why Al-Hikmah University’s Nursing Fees Are Higher Than State-Owned Options
A student comparing Al-Hikmah University’s nursing fees with those of the Kwara State College of Nursing and Midwifery will notice a wide gap, since the state college charges figures in the range of roughly ₦89,000 to ₦136,000 per session for indigenes and non-indigenes respectively, while Al-Hikmah University’s nursing tuition runs into seven figures. This difference comes down to a few structural factors:
- Government subvention: state-owned nursing colleges receive funding support from the state government, which lowers the tuition burden passed on to students. Private universities receive no such subvention and rely entirely on tuition and internally generated revenue to run their programmes.
- Degree level versus diploma level: Al-Hikmah University’s programme leads to a full university degree (B.NSc.), which typically runs for five years and includes broader theoretical coursework in addition to clinical training, unlike the three-year diploma-based basic nursing programme run by state colleges.
- Infrastructure and staffing costs: private universities fund their own laboratories, teaching staff salaries, and clinical partnerships independently, which reflects in the tuition charged.
- Accreditation and professional recognition: a B.NSc. graduate is recognised for both the nursing licensing examination and a bachelor’s degree qualification, which some students consider justifies the higher cost compared to a diploma-only pathway.
Other Private Health Training Options in Kwara State
Aside from Al-Hikmah University, Kwara State has a small number of privately run health training providers that offer allied diploma-level programmes, some of which include nursing-adjacent or midwifery-related courses. These institutions are generally smaller in scale, and unlike Al-Hikmah University, they do not always publish a detailed, session-by-session fee schedule online. Prospective applicants interested in such options should contact the institution’s admissions office directly to confirm current accreditation status with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and the exact fee breakdown for the session they intend to apply for, since unverified or informally advertised programmes carry a higher risk of not being properly accredited.
Candidates are advised to always confirm two things before paying any fee to a private health training provider: first, that the institution holds current accreditation from the NMCN for the specific programme (basic nursing, midwifery, or post-basic nursing) being advertised, and second, that payment is made only into the institution’s official bank account or approved online payment platform, never to a personal account or unverified agent.
Admission Requirements for Private Nursing Programmes in Kwara State
Regardless of ownership type, nursing programmes in Nigeria follow admission standards set jointly by the NMCN, the NUC (for degree programmes), and JAMB (for UTME-based entry into degree programmes). For Al-Hikmah University’s B.NSc. programme, candidates are generally expected to meet the following:
- A minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained from WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination body, at not more than two sittings.
- A UTME score at or above the university’s published cut-off mark for the session, with Nursing Science typically requiring a higher score than less competitive courses due to demand for available slots.
- Successful completion of the university’s Post-UTME screening exercise.
- For Direct Entry applicants, an equivalent qualification such as A-Level, NCE, OND, or a JUPEB certificate with the required subject combination and point score.
Budgeting Beyond Tuition
Nursing students at any institution, private or state-owned, typically incur costs beyond the published tuition figure. These additional expenses commonly include:
- Uniforms and clinical kits required for ward and laboratory practicals
- Textbooks and study materials specific to nursing courses
- Transportation to and from clinical placement sites, particularly where these are located outside the main campus
- Feeding and personal upkeep, which varies depending on whether the student lives in a hostel or off campus
- Departmental association dues and examination-related charges that may not be included in the core tuition bill
Students and their sponsors should factor these into their overall budget for the session rather than relying solely on the published tuition figure when planning finances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Al-Hikmah University the only private nursing school in Kwara State?
Al-Hikmah University is the clearest example of a private institution with a fully accredited nursing degree programme in the state. A few smaller private health training providers exist, but they should be verified for current NMCN accreditation before application.
How much does the nursing programme at Al-Hikmah University cost per session?
Fresh students in the Nursing Science programme pay roughly between ₦1,375,000 and ₦1,718,750 per session, while returning students pay progressively lower figures depending on their level, ranging from about ₦926,500 to ₦1,248,750. These figures exclude hostel accommodation.
Why are private nursing school fees higher than state-owned nursing colleges in Kwara State?
Private universities do not receive government subvention and fund their infrastructure, staffing, and clinical training partnerships entirely through tuition and internally generated revenue, which results in significantly higher fees than subsidised state institutions.
Does Kwara State University (KWASU) count as a private nursing school?
No. KWASU is a state-government-owned university, not a private institution, even though it charges tuition for its Nursing Science programme.
What should a candidate confirm before paying fees to any private nursing institution?
Confirm the institution’s current NMCN accreditation status for the specific programme, and pay only through the official bank account or payment platform published by the institution, never through unverified agents.