Katsina State offers a mix of private nursing education options, ranging from a university-level Nursing Science degree programme to standalone private nursing colleges that award diploma-level nursing qualifications. This article outlines the private nursing schools currently operating in Katsina State, what each charges for the 2026/2027 academic session, and what candidates need to know before applying to any of them.
Private Nursing Schools Available in Katsina State
Nursing education in Katsina State is delivered through a combination of government-owned institutions and privately run schools. On the private side, the most notable options are Al-Qalam University, Katsina, which runs a full Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) degree programme under its College of Allied Health Sciences, and a set of standalone private nursing colleges that offer diploma-level training, including Northwest College of Nursing Sciences in Katsina town, Bawo College of Nursing Sciences in Daura, and Cherish College of Nursing Sciences in Batsari.
These institutions differ significantly in structure, duration, and cost. A university-based B.N.Sc. programme typically runs for five years and leads to a full degree, while diploma-level nursing colleges generally run a three-year programme leading to Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Midwife (RM) certification through the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). Understanding this distinction matters because it directly affects both the total duration of study and the overall cost a candidate should expect to pay.
Al-Qalam University Nursing Science Fees
Al-Qalam University, Katsina (AUK), established in 2005 as Nigeria’s first Islamic university, is a not-for-profit private institution owned by the Muslim community rather than an individual proprietor. The university operates a College of Allied Health Sciences, which includes a Department of Nursing Science alongside Radiography, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Physiotherapy, and Public Health.
Al-Qalam University is known for keeping its tuition considerably lower than most private universities in Nigeria, since it does not operate on a profit basis and reinvests its revenue into academic programmes and student services. For the 2026/2027 session, undergraduate tuition across the university generally ranges from ₦150,000 to ₦402,950 per year, depending on the programme. Science-based and clinical programmes, including Nursing Science, sit toward the higher end of this range because of the additional laboratory and clinical training components involved. Candidates should expect Nursing Science tuition at Al-Qalam University to fall somewhere between ₦350,000 and ₦450,000 per session, though the university’s admissions office publishes the exact departmental figure at the start of each academic year.
This places Al-Qalam University’s Nursing Science programme among the more affordable university-based nursing options in northern Nigeria, particularly when compared to private universities in other states that charge well over ₦1 million per session for an equivalent degree.
Fees at Private Nursing Colleges in Katsina State
Outside the university system, Katsina State’s private nursing colleges operate at a noticeably lower cost, consistent with the general pattern seen across Nigeria where standalone diploma-level nursing colleges charge less than full university degree programmes. The table below summarises what candidates can generally expect from the private nursing colleges currently running in the state.
| Institution | Location | Programme Type | Approximate Fee Range per Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Qalam University (Nursing Science) | Katsina town | B.N.Sc. degree (5 years) | ₦350,000 – ₦450,000 |
| Northwest College of Nursing Sciences | Katsina town | ND Nursing / diploma-level | ₦150,000 – ₦300,000 (estimated) |
| Bawo College of Nursing Sciences | Daura | Diploma-level nursing programme | ₦150,000 – ₦300,000 (estimated) |
| Cherish College of Nursing Sciences | Batsari | Diploma-level nursing programme | ₦150,000 – ₦300,000 (estimated) |
The fee ranges listed for the standalone nursing colleges are general estimates based on typical charges at comparable private diploma nursing institutions in northern Nigeria. These smaller colleges do not always publish their fee schedules as widely or as frequently as universities do, so candidates interested in any of them should contact the admissions office directly to confirm the exact, current fee before applying, since figures can shift from one intake to the next.
What These Fees Typically Cover
Tuition figures quoted for both the university-based and college-based nursing programmes generally cover academic instruction only. Candidates should budget separately for several other compulsory charges that are standard across nursing education in Nigeria:
- Acceptance fee, paid once after receiving an admission offer, to formally secure the candidate’s place in the programme.
- Accommodation and feeding, for students who choose to live on campus or in a hostel affiliated with the institution.
- Clinical and laboratory charges, which cover uniforms, scrubs, lab coats, and consumables used during practical training and hospital attachment.
- Registration and ICT fees, charged at the start of each session to cover administrative and technology infrastructure costs.
- Examination and library fees, which are typically bundled into the overall school fees schedule but occasionally itemised separately depending on the institution.
Candidates should always request a full, itemised fee breakdown from the specific institution they intend to apply to, rather than relying solely on tuition figures, since the total cost of a nursing programme is usually higher than the headline tuition amount once these additional charges are included.
Admission Requirements for Nursing Programmes in Katsina State
Whether applying to Al-Qalam University’s Nursing Science degree or one of the private nursing colleges offering diploma-level training, candidates need to meet a broadly similar set of entry requirements, with some differences depending on the route chosen.
For Al-Qalam University’s Nursing Science programme, candidates need to register for the UTME with the correct subject combination for Nursing Science: English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. The university’s baseline JAMB cut off mark for most programmes sits at 140, though Nursing Science, being a professionally regulated and clinically intensive course, generally requires a more competitive score than this baseline to be seriously considered during the admission and screening process. Candidates also need a minimum of five O’Level credit passes, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings. Where a candidate combines results from two different examination bodies, such as WAEC and NECO, Al-Qalam University requires a minimum of six credit passes rather than the standard five required for a single sitting.
For the diploma-level private nursing colleges, admission requirements typically include the same five O’Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, along with a minimum age requirement of 16 years at the point of admission. Many of these colleges process admission through JAMB’s UTME as well, since National Diploma and Registered Nurse training programmes generally require UTME registration, though candidates should confirm the specific admission route with each college directly, as processes can vary slightly between institutions.
Duration and Certification Differences
The length of study and the certification awarded differ significantly between the university route and the diploma college route, and this affects both cost and career pathway.
Al-Qalam University’s Nursing Science programme runs for five years and leads to a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree, after which graduates are eligible to sit the licensing examination administered by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria to become Registered Nurses. This degree pathway generally opens broader career and further-study opportunities, including postgraduate nursing specialisation and academic or leadership roles within the profession.
The private diploma-level nursing colleges in Katsina State typically run a three-year programme, awarding a National Diploma alongside eligibility for Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Midwife (RM) certification upon successful completion and passing of the professional licensing examination. This route is generally faster and less expensive than the university degree pathway, making it an attractive option for candidates who want to enter the nursing profession sooner or who are working within a tighter budget.
Steps to Apply for a Private Nursing Programme in Katsina State
Candidates interested in applying to any of these private nursing institutions should follow this general process:
- Register for the UTME with the correct subject combination for Nursing: English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- Select the intended institution during JAMB registration, or confirm the specific application process if the institution uses a different admission route.
- Ensure O’Level results meet the minimum requirement of five credit passes in the relevant subjects, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- Complete the institution’s own admission or screening form once released, submitting all required documents, including O’Level results and passport photographs.
- Attend any required screening exercise, interview, or aptitude test conducted by the institution.
- Upon receiving an admission offer, pay the acceptance fee and request a full, itemised breakdown of the fee schedule before making tuition payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which private nursing programme in Katsina State leads to a full degree?
Al-Qalam University’s Nursing Science programme is the only private nursing option in Katsina State that leads to a full Bachelor of Nursing Science degree, running for five years.
Are diploma-level private nursing colleges in Katsina State cheaper than the university option?
Yes. Standalone private nursing colleges such as Northwest College of Nursing Sciences, Bawo College of Nursing Sciences, and Cherish College of Nursing Sciences generally charge lower fees than a university-based B.N.Sc. programme, though exact figures should be confirmed directly with each college.
What subjects are required for Nursing admission in Katsina State?
The required UTME subject combination is English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, and candidates also need a minimum of five O’Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Does Al-Qalam University require a high JAMB score for Nursing Science?
The university’s general baseline cut off mark is 140, but Nursing Science, being a clinically regulated programme with limited slots, generally requires a more competitive score than this baseline for serious consideration.
What additional costs should I budget for beyond tuition?
Candidates should budget for acceptance fees, accommodation and feeding, clinical and laboratory charges including uniforms and scrubs, and registration or ICT fees, all of which are typically billed separately from the core tuition amount.