Mary Martha College of Nursing Sciences sits on Kefas Road in Oleh, Delta State, directly opposite the Delta State University Faculty of Law. The college operates under the Anglican Diocese of Oleh and holds accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). Anyone researching this institution for the 2026/2027 academic session needs a clear picture of its programmes, admission process, and the actual cost of training there, since much of what circulates about private nursing colleges in Nigeria tends to focus on admission announcements rather than a fixed, published fee schedule. This article lays out what is verifiable about Mary Martha’s fees and offers a realistic framework for budgeting, based on how comparable faith-run nursing colleges structure their charges.
Ownership and Accreditation Status
Mary Martha College of Nursing Sciences is a privately owned institution run by the Diocese of Oleh under the Anglican Communion, not a state or federal government institution. This ownership structure places it in the same category as several other church-run nursing schools scattered across southern Nigeria, where dioceses and missions historically played a leading role in establishing early healthcare training centers. The college’s programmes carry NMCN accreditation, meaning graduates who complete training here are eligible to sit the Council’s professional licensing examination and register as qualified nurses or midwives, provided they meet all academic and clinical requirements set by the Council.
Programmes Available at the College
Mary Martha runs a mix of entry-level and advanced nursing tracks, giving it a broader academic scope than a typical single-programme school of nursing. The programmes on offer include:
- General Nursing (Basic Nursing Science), the entry-level RN-track programme for O’Level qualified applicants
- Post-Basic Midwifery, open to candidates who already hold an RN qualification
- Post-Basic Nursing specializations, including Perioperative Nursing, Anaesthetic Nursing, Cardiothoracic Nursing, Ophthalmic Nursing, Paediatric Nursing, and Accident & Emergency Nursing
- Internship and Housemanship placements for students completing their final clinical practice requirements before full registration
The availability of multiple post-basic specializations distinguishes Mary Martha from many smaller private nursing schools, which often run only the basic General Nursing track. This makes the college a relevant option not just for new secondary school leavers but also for working nurses seeking a recognized specialization to advance their career.
Entry Requirements for the General Nursing Programme
Candidates applying for the General Nursing (Basic Nursing Science) track need a minimum of five O’Level credit passes, specifically in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, obtained from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB in not more than two sittings. This requirement mirrors the standard entry criteria applied across nearly all NMCN-accredited schools of nursing in Nigeria. Candidates applying for any of the Post-Basic tracks must already hold a Registered Nurse (RN) qualification, or the specific prerequisite certification relevant to the specialization they are applying for, since these programmes are designed to build on existing clinical training rather than serve as an entry point for new students.
How the Application Process Works
Unlike universities and polytechnics that process admissions entirely through online JAMB-linked portals, Mary Martha follows a largely manual, in-person application process. A prospective applicant pays the application fee at a designated bank, then travels to the college’s Kefas Road campus in Oleh with the bank teller to collect the physical application form. The form is completed by hand, attached with three passport photographs, and submitted alongside photocopies of relevant credentials, including WAEC or NECO results, a certificate of state of origin, and a birth certificate. This offline structure means applicants outside Delta State should plan for at least one physical visit to Oleh during the application window, rather than expecting to complete the entire process remotely.
Application Fee
The application fee for the General Nursing programme is ₦15,500. This amount has remained consistent across several recent admission cycles based on available records, though prospective applicants should still confirm the current figure directly with the college before making payment, since private institutions can adjust this fee between sessions without extensive public notice.
What Freshers and Returning Students Should Expect to Pay
Mary Martha College of Nursing Sciences does not maintain a single, consistently published tuition figure accessible through open public channels the way many government-owned polytechnics and universities do. What is confirmed is the structure common to it and similarly positioned church-run private nursing colleges: freshers pay more than returning students in their first year, largely because of one-time charges tied to admission processing, matriculation, and initial registration, while returning students settle into a comparatively lower recurring fee once these one-time costs fall away.
Based on the general fee bracket typical of privately owned, faith-affiliated nursing colleges of comparable standing and clinical scope in the South-South region, new students should budget for a total in the range of ₦150,000 to ₦350,000 per session once tuition and other mandatory charges are combined. Returning students typically pay a reduced figure within a similar bracket, since they no longer carry the admission-related charges applied only to freshers. These figures are offered as a planning estimate rather than an official amount, precisely because the college has not made a single verifiable per-session tuition figure broadly available through public channels at the time of writing.
Fee Planning Table
| Fee Item | Freshers | Returning Students |
|---|---|---|
| Application Form (General Nursing) | ₦15,500 (one-time) | Not applicable |
| Estimated Tuition/School Fee (Per Session) | ₦150,000 – ₦350,000 | Lower than freshers’ figure once one-time charges are removed |
| Acceptance Fee | Payable once, confirmed directly by the college | Not applicable |
| Hostel Accommodation | Billed separately, confirmed by the college | Billed separately, confirmed by the college |
Treat this table as a starting point for budgeting rather than a fixed invoice. The single most reliable way to know the exact current amount is to contact the college directly, since fee figures for privately run nursing colleges in Nigeria are set internally by the proprietor rather than reviewed through a public state or federal fee schedule.
Components Typically Bundled into the School Fee
Drawing on how comparable private nursing colleges structure their charges, the core school fee at Mary Martha likely bundles the following components into one payment:
- Tuition covering lectures and clinical theory instruction
- Library access for nursing textbooks and study materials
- Internal assessment and examination charges
- Clinical training coordination fees tied to the college’s arrangements with partner hospitals and healthcare facilities where students complete practical placements
Costs generally billed outside the core school fee include hostel accommodation, application processing, nursing uniforms, and any professional registration fees paid directly to the NMCN once training is complete.
Additional Costs to Plan For
Students preparing to study at Mary Martha, whether in the General Nursing track or one of the Post-Basic specializations, should set aside a budget for several recurring costs beyond tuition:
- Clinical uniforms and equipment such as stethoscopes and lab coats, generally purchased independently by students.
- Accommodation in Oleh, whether through any hostel arrangement the college provides or private rental housing near the campus.
- Textbooks and updated clinical manuals, which nursing training relies on heavily across both theory and practical coursework.
- Transportation to clinical posting sites, relevant for students completing hospital-based practicum through the college’s partner facilities.
- NMCN licensing examination fees, paid separately by graduates preparing to sit for professional registration.
Why Direct Confirmation with the College Is the Safer Approach
Because Mary Martha operates independently of any centralized state fee-review board, its management, under the Diocese of Oleh, retains full discretion over when and how much to adjust tuition and related charges. This is standard for privately run nursing colleges across Nigeria, but it does mean that figures circulating informally, including any estimate offered in this article, can fall out of date faster than fee schedules published by government-owned institutions. Prospective applicants should reach the college directly through its published admission contact lines, or visit the Kefas Road campus in person, to obtain the current fee breakdown before committing to payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mary Martha College of Nursing Sciences government-owned?
No. It is a privately owned institution run by the Diocese of Oleh under the Anglican Communion, independent of state or federal government funding.
What programmes can I apply for at Mary Martha?
The college runs General Nursing (Basic Nursing Science), Post-Basic Midwifery, and several Post-Basic Nursing specializations including Perioperative, Anaesthetic, Cardiothoracic, Ophthalmic, Paediatric, and Accident & Emergency Nursing.
How much is the application form for General Nursing?
The application fee is ₦15,500, payable at a designated bank before collecting the physical form at the college.
Can I apply for Mary Martha entirely online?
No. The college runs a largely manual application process requiring a physical visit to its Oleh campus to collect and submit the completed form.
Where can I get the exact current tuition fee?
The college’s own admissions office, reachable through its published contact lines or in person at the Kefas Road campus in Oleh, is the only reliable source for the current, exact fee schedule, since a single verified figure is not widely published through open channels.