Niger State runs nursing and midwifery training mainly through state-owned institutions, but a private option now exists for students who want an alternative route into the profession. This article explains which private nursing school currently operates in Niger State, what it costs to attend, how its fees compare with the state-owned schools, and what applicants need to know before they apply for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Nursing Training Structure in Niger State
Niger State offers nursing and midwifery training through three main channels: the state-owned Niger State College of Nursing Sciences (with campuses in Bida, Kontagora, and Minna/Paiko), the Federal University of Technology, Minna, which runs a full Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) degree, and a privately owned institution, Standard College of Nursing Sciences, Minna. Each of these trains students toward registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), but they differ in ownership, funding, admission competitiveness, and cost.
Public and state-run nursing schools charge lower fees because government subvention covers part of the running cost. Private nursing schools depend entirely on tuition, so their fees run higher, but they usually offer smaller class sizes, faster admission processing, and more flexible payment terms.
Standard College of Nursing Sciences, Minna
Standard College of Nursing Sciences is the recognized private nursing college in Niger State. It sits in Minna, the state capital, and started operations in October 2020. The college holds accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for its Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery programmes, and it partners with teaching hospitals within Niger State for the clinical placement component of training.
The college runs the General Nursing programme (leading to Registered Nurse status) and the Basic Midwifery programme (leading to Registered Midwife status). Both programmes combine classroom instruction, skills-laboratory practice, and supervised clinical postings, following the curriculum the NMCN sets for all accredited nursing institutions in Nigeria, whether public or private.
Admission Requirements
Candidates applying to Standard College of Nursing Sciences need the following:
- Five credits at O’level (WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB) in not more than two sittings, including English Language and either Physics, Chemistry, or Biology/Health Science.
- A minimum age requirement, in line with NMCN guidelines for entry into basic nursing training.
- A passing score in the school’s own entrance examination and an oral interview.
- For candidates applying through the ND Nursing/JAMB route, a JAMB UTME registration and a qualifying score.
Standard College of Nursing Sciences Fees 2026/2027
| Fee Item | Estimated Amount (₦) |
|---|---|
| Application/entrance exam form | 20,000 |
| Tuition per session | 150,000 – 200,000 |
| Hostel accommodation (self-contained, per session) | 100,000 |
| Acceptance fee (paid once, on admission) | Set separately by the college |
These figures represent the tuition range the college itself has published for fresh students. Tuition covers one academic session and does not include accommodation, feeding, uniforms, textbooks, or clinical practicum materials, which students budget for separately. The college also allows tuition payment in installments, though late payment attracts extra charges, and outstanding fees can bar a student from sitting semester examinations.
Because the programme runs for three years (General Nursing) before students sit the final NMCN licensing examination, total training cost across the full programme, tuition alone, falls roughly between ₦450,000 and ₦600,000, before accommodation and other recurring expenses are added.
Why Private Nursing School Fees Are Higher
A private nursing school in Niger State charges more than a state-owned one for several direct reasons:
- No government subvention. State colleges receive a yearly allocation from the Niger State government that offsets part of their operating cost; private colleges do not.
- Facility investment. Private colleges fund their own simulation laboratories, staff salaries, and hospital partnership arrangements from tuition income.
- Smaller cohorts. Private colleges often admit fewer students per session, which raises the per-student cost of running the programme.
- Faster processing and flexible intake. Private colleges frequently process applications faster and may offer more flexible resumption dates than state institutions tied to a single annual admission cycle.
Public and State Nursing Schools in Niger State (For Comparison)
Students weighing the private option against the state-owned alternative benefit from seeing both side by side.
| Institution | Ownership | Locations | Application Form Fee | Tuition Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard College of Nursing Sciences | Private | Minna | ₦20,000 | ₦150,000 – ₦200,000 per session |
| Niger State College of Nursing Sciences | State-owned | Bida, Kontagora, Minna/Paiko | ₦10,000 – ₦15,000 | Considerably lower; state indigenes on the Basic Nursing programme also receive a monthly stipend |
| Federal University of Technology, Minna (BNSc) | Federal | Minna | Standard JAMB/university charges apply | Federal university fee structure, lower than private tuition, but requires a full five-year degree commitment |
The state college charges less and even pays a monthly allowance to Niger State indigenes enrolled in the Basic Nursing programme, but admission runs on a fixed annual cycle and competition for slots is high given the low tuition. The private college costs more per session but gives students an additional route into the profession if they miss the state college’s admission window or want a faster-moving academic calendar.
Other Costs to Budget For
Beyond tuition and hostel fees, nursing students in Niger State, at any institution, plan for these recurring costs:
- Uniform and clinical kit: nursing uniforms, white shoes, a wristwatch with a second hand, a stethoscope, and other clinical tools required before clinical postings begin.
- Textbooks and practical manuals: nursing and midwifery textbooks are not cheap, and students typically need several core texts across the three-year programme.
- Feeding and transport: for day students commuting to lectures and clinical sites, or for hostel residents budgeting for meals outside a feeding plan.
- Examination and registration fees: NMCN charges its own fee for the final licensing examination, separate from what the college charges for tuition.
- Post-basic and specialty programmes: students who later pursue Post-Basic Midwifery, Post-Basic Paediatric Nursing, or other specialty tracks pay additional fees for each programme.
How to Apply
Applying to Standard College of Nursing Sciences follows a straightforward sequence:
- Visit the college’s admission portal or physical campus in Minna to obtain the application form.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee and complete the form with accurate O’level and bio-data details.
- Sit for the college’s entrance examination on the scheduled date.
- Attend the oral interview if shortlisted after the entrance exam.
- Receive an admission letter, then pay the acceptance fee to secure the offer.
- Pay the first tranche of tuition before resumption and register for classes.
Applicants for the state-owned Niger State College of Nursing Sciences follow a similar sequence through the school’s own portal, with a lower application fee and a longer wait time given the volume of applicants competing for a state-subsidized programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there more than one private nursing school in Niger State?
As of the 2026/2027 admission cycle, Standard College of Nursing Sciences, Minna, is the recognized private nursing institution in the state. Other nursing training options in Niger State (Niger State College of Nursing Sciences and the Federal University of Technology, Minna) are state-owned or federal, not private.
How much does private nursing school cost per session in Niger State?
Tuition at Standard College of Nursing Sciences runs between ₦150,000 and ₦200,000 per session, excluding hostel accommodation, uniforms, and books.
Is Standard College of Nursing Sciences accredited?
Yes. The college holds accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for its Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery programmes, which means graduates qualify to sit the NMCN licensing examination.
Can non-indigenes of Niger State apply to the private nursing school?
Yes. Unlike the state-owned college, which reserves stipends for Niger State indigenes, the private college admits qualified candidates from any state, provided they meet the entry requirements.
Does the private nursing school offer installment payment?
Yes. The college allows tuition to be paid in installments, though late payments attract extra charges and unpaid balances can prevent a student from sitting semester examinations.