The College of Nursing Sciences, Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital (IUTH), Okada, in Edo State, is a nursing training institution operating under the Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital and regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). The college runs the General Nursing Programme, a three-year professional training course leading to the award of the Registered Nurse (RN) certificate, alongside Post-Basic Nursing programmes in specialized areas. Candidates and parents researching this institution frequently want clarity on what it costs to study there, particularly how the fees differ between newly admitted (fresher) students and those returning for a subsequent year. This article lays out what is currently known about the fee structure at the College of Nursing Sciences, IUTH, what the charges typically cover, and how prospective and current students should go about confirming and paying their fees.
Distinguishing the College of Nursing Sciences from the University’s Nursing Degree Programme
Before discussing fees, it helps to understand that Igbinedion University, Okada, operates two separate nursing training pathways, and candidates should be clear on which one they are referring to. The first is the university’s own Faculty of Nursing Sciences, which runs the Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) degree programme as part of the university’s regular undergraduate offerings, admitting candidates through UTME and Direct Entry in line with standard university admission processes. The second is the College of Nursing Sciences (also referred to as the School of Nursing) domiciled within Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital, which runs the NMCN-regulated General Nursing Programme, a three-year diploma-style RN training course, along with two-year Post-Basic Nursing programmes in fields such as Perioperative Nursing, Cardiothoracic Nursing, Ophthalmic Nursing, and Anaesthetic Nursing.
This distinction matters because the fee structures for these two pathways are not the same. The university’s B.NSc degree programme follows the general Igbinedion University tuition schedule applied to other degree courses, while the College of Nursing Sciences at the teaching hospital operates its own separate fee schedule set by the hospital’s nursing education board. This article focuses on the College of Nursing Sciences (School of Nursing) at IUTH and its fee structure for the General Nursing Programme and Post-Basic Nursing courses.
General Range of School Fees at the College of Nursing Sciences, IUTH
As a privately-run nursing training institution attached to a teaching hospital, the College of Nursing Sciences at IUTH charges tuition on the higher end compared to many government-owned and mission-based schools of nursing across Nigeria. Based on the fee patterns reported for private nursing training institutions of this category, total annual charges at the school generally fall within the region of ₦500,000 to ₦700,000 per session, covering tuition and the core components of training. This figure serves only as a general guide, since private teaching hospital nursing schools review their fees periodically, and the exact current amount for the General Nursing Programme or any of the Post-Basic Nursing options should always be confirmed directly with the college’s admissions or accounts office before payment.
It is standard for freshers to pay a higher total in their first year than what they pay as returning students in subsequent years, because certain charges apply only once during the course of the programme. The next section explains this difference in more detail.
Components That Make Up the Total Fee
The total amount payable at the College of Nursing Sciences, IUTH, is not a single lump sum but a combination of several distinct charges. Understanding each component helps students and parents budget accurately rather than being caught off guard by charges that were not anticipated. The typical components include:
- Tuition fee, covering academic instruction for the session, which forms the bulk of the total charge.
- Acceptance fee, a one-time payment required from newly admitted students to confirm their admission slot before resumption.
- Application/admission form fee, paid at the point of purchasing and submitting the admission form, separate from tuition.
- Clinical posting/practical fee, which covers supervised training within the teaching hospital’s wards and departments, an essential part of nursing education.
- Laboratory and skills-demonstration fee, covering the use of simulation equipment and nursing skill laboratories.
- Hostel accommodation fee, for students who take up residence in the college’s hostel facilities, where such accommodation is provided.
- Library and ICT fee, covering access to reading materials, research resources, and computer-based learning tools.
- Examination and registration fee, covering internal assessments as well as fees tied to NMCN examination registration as students progress toward qualification.
- Uniform, clinical wear, and identification materials, which new students purchase upon resumption and typically do not need to repurchase in subsequent years unless replacements are required.
- Departmental and miscellaneous charges, including students’ association dues, medical screening fees, and other small administrative costs.
How Fees Differ Between Freshers and Returning Students
Freshers at the College of Nursing Sciences, IUTH, pay more in their first year because of several one-time charges tied specifically to new admission. These include the acceptance fee, the cost of the admission form itself, uniform and clinical wear, identity card processing, and any orientation-related charges the college applies to newly resumed students. Returning students, having already settled these one-time costs in their first year, pay a comparatively lower total that mainly covers tuition, clinical fees, hostel renewal (if applicable), and examination charges for the new session.
The table below outlines how the main fee components typically apply across the two categories of students.
| Fee Component | Freshers | Returning Students |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance fee | Yes (one-time) | No |
| Admission form fee | Yes (one-time) | No |
| Tuition fee | Yes | Yes |
| Clinical/practical fee | Yes | Yes |
| Laboratory fee | Yes | Yes |
| Hostel fee | Yes (if applicable) | Yes, if continuing in hostel |
| Uniform/clinical wear | Yes (one-time) | No, unless replacement needed |
| Identity card | Yes (one-time) | No, unless replacement needed |
| Examination/registration fee | Yes | Yes |
| Library/ICT fee | Yes | Yes |
Because of this structure, prospective students should plan for the highest financial outlay in their first year of admission, with subsequent years requiring a comparatively lighter, though still significant, financial commitment.
Fees for Post-Basic Nursing Programmes
Beyond the General Nursing Programme, the College of Nursing Sciences at IUTH also runs Post-Basic Nursing programmes for already-qualified registered nurses seeking specialization in areas such as Perioperative Nursing, Cardiothoracic Nursing, Ophthalmic Nursing, and Anaesthetic Nursing. These programmes typically run for two years and carry their own separate fee structure, distinct from the General Nursing Programme fees, since they involve more advanced and specialized clinical training. Candidates interested in any of these specialized tracks should request the specific fee breakdown for their chosen Post-Basic programme directly from the college, as costs vary depending on the area of specialization and the equipment or clinical exposure each track requires.
How to Confirm the Exact Current Fee Amount
Given that private nursing training institutions review their fees periodically, and given that published figures online can quickly become outdated, candidates and returning students are advised to confirm the exact current fee amount through the following channels before making any payment:
- Contact the college’s admissions office directly, using the official phone lines published during each admission cycle for the General Nursing Programme or the relevant Post-Basic programme.
- Visit the College of Nursing Sciences at Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital, Okada, Edo State, in person, where administrative staff can provide an up-to-date fee breakdown.
- Request the official fee schedule as part of the admission form package, since most nursing schools issue a documented breakdown alongside the application form.
- Confirm details in writing once an admission offer is made, as the offer letter typically specifies the exact amount payable and the payment deadline.
Candidates should be cautious of unverified phone contacts or third-party pages requesting payment on behalf of the college, and should only make payments into accounts officially confirmed by the college’s accounts department.
Mode of Payment
Payment of school fees at nursing training institutions of this kind is typically made through designated bank accounts specified by the college, with proof of payment (teller or transaction reference) required during physical registration. Some private nursing colleges attached to teaching hospitals also allow tuition to be paid in installments, though this depends on the specific policy of the college’s accounts office for that session, and candidates should confirm whether installment payment is permitted before assuming it as an option. Full payment, or the specified minimum initial deposit, is usually required before a student is cleared to commence lectures or begin ward postings for the session.
Admission Requirements Linked to Fee Payment
Fee payment only becomes relevant after a candidate has met the admission requirements and received an offer. For the General Nursing Programme, candidates must possess the Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE) or its equivalent with a minimum of five credit passes, which must include English Language and at least one of Physics, Chemistry, or Biology/Health Science, obtained in not more than two sittings. Candidates typically also need to meet the standard age requirement common to nursing schools in Nigeria, sit for and pass the college’s entrance examination, and attend an oral interview before an official offer of admission is extended. Only after this process is completed should a candidate proceed to pay the acceptance fee and subsequent tuition.
Programme Duration and Its Effect on Financial Planning
The General Nursing Programme at the College of Nursing Sciences, IUTH, runs for three years, structured to prepare students for the qualifying examination administered by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. Students and their sponsors should therefore plan for at least three sessions of fee payment, with the first year carrying the heaviest cost due to one-time admission charges, and subsequent years requiring the tuition, clinical, and examination components without the additional first-year charges. Candidates pursuing the two-year Post-Basic Nursing programmes should plan similarly, budgeting for two sessions of fees with the same general pattern of a comparatively higher first-year cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are fees at the College of Nursing Sciences, IUTH the same for freshers and returning students? No. Freshers pay more due to one-time charges such as the acceptance fee, admission form fee, uniform, and identity card, while returning students pay mainly recurring charges like tuition, clinical fees, and examination fees.
How much does the General Nursing Programme cost per session at IUTH? Total charges generally fall within the ₦500,000 to ₦700,000 range per session for private nursing training institutions of this category, though the exact current figure should be confirmed directly with the college, as fees are subject to periodic review.
Is the College of Nursing Sciences at IUTH the same as the university’s nursing degree programme? No. The College of Nursing Sciences (School of Nursing) at the teaching hospital runs the NMCN-regulated diploma-style General Nursing and Post-Basic Nursing programmes, while Igbinedion University’s Faculty of Nursing Sciences runs the separate Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) degree programme with its own tuition schedule.
How long does the General Nursing Programme take at IUTH? The programme runs for three years, after which qualifying students sit for the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria’s licensing examination.
Can fees be paid in installments? This depends on the college’s payment policy for that particular session and should be confirmed directly with the accounts office before assuming it is available.
Conclusion
The College of Nursing Sciences at Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital, Okada, charges a fee structure typical of privately-run nursing training institutions attached to teaching hospitals, with freshers bearing a higher cost in their first year due to one-time admission charges, and returning students paying comparatively lower recurring fees in the following years. As the college reviews its fees periodically and figures published by third parties can become outdated, candidates preparing for admission into the 2026/2027 session, along with returning students planning for the coming academic year, should confirm the exact current amount directly from the college’s admissions or accounts office. Early confirmation and timely payment help avoid delays at registration and ensure a smooth start to each stage of the nursing training programme.