Kano State hosts one of the largest concentrations of nursing training institutions in Northern Nigeria, and a good number of them operate as privately owned colleges rather than state or federal establishments. These private nursing schools fill an important gap, since government-owned institutions like the Kano State College of Nursing Sciences admit a limited number of candidates each session, leaving many qualified applicants searching for alternative accredited pathways into the nursing profession. Private nursing schools in Kano State are approved and monitored by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), the body responsible for setting curriculum standards, licensing examinations, and accreditation status for every school of nursing and midwifery in the country.
Private nursing institutions typically run their own admission process rather than depending solely on JAMB, though some maintain a dual pathway that allows both JAMB-based entry into National Diploma programmes and internal, direct-entry routes into Basic Nursing or Basic Midwifery certificate programmes. Because these schools receive no government subvention, they finance their operations entirely from tuition, levies, and clinical training charges, which places their fees above what public colleges of nursing typically charge.
Why Private Nursing Schools in Kano Cost More Than Public Ones
Public nursing colleges in Kano State, run directly by the state Ministry of Health, benefit from government subsidy, which keeps their tuition considerably lower even though their admission slots are limited. Private nursing schools do not receive this subsidy, so their fee structure reflects the true cost of running a nursing training programme: laboratory equipment, simulation mannequins, clinical placement arrangements with hospitals, staff salaries, accreditation renewal costs, and facility maintenance. This is why a first-year student at a private nursing school in Kano can expect to pay several times more than a first-year student admitted into a subsidised state-run programme.
Despite the higher cost, private nursing schools often offer certain advantages that make them attractive to candidates who did not secure a slot in a public college: shorter or more predictable admission cycles, smaller class sizes, additional intakes within a single year in some cases, and, for a number of them, direct-entry options that do not require a UTME score.
List of Notable Private Nursing Schools in Kano State
Several privately owned nursing and health sciences institutions currently operate in Kano State, offering programmes ranging from Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery to Community Nursing, Community Midwifery, and Post-Basic specialty courses. The most commonly referenced private nursing schools in the state include:
- Dansharif College of Nursing Sciences, located along Hadejia Road, Kano
- Sudawa College of Nursing Sciences, Kano
- Emirates College of Nursing Sciences (under Emirates College of Health Sciences and Technology), Kano
- Al’asas School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Kura
- Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano
Each of these institutions holds NMCN approval for the specific programmes it runs, though the scope of accreditation, whether for Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Community Nursing, Community Midwifery, or degree-level nursing science, differs from one school to another. Candidates are advised to confirm the exact accreditation status and programme offerings of any school before purchasing an admission form.
Fee Range for Private Nursing Schools in Kano State
Private nursing school fees in Kano State are not uniform, since each institution sets its own tuition, levies, and clinical charges independently. However, based on prevailing figures across these schools, a general fee pattern emerges for the 2026/2027 academic session.
| School | Type of Programme | Approximate First-Year Fee Range |
|---|---|---|
| Dansharif College of Nursing Sciences | Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Community Nursing | ₦300,000 – ₦450,000 |
| Sudawa College of Nursing Sciences | Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery | ₦300,000 – ₦450,000 |
| Emirates College of Nursing Sciences | Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery | ₦300,000 – ₦450,000 |
| Al’asas School of Nursing and Health Sciences | Nursing and allied health courses | ₦250,000 – ₦400,000 |
| Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (Nursing Sciences) | B.NSc Nursing Science (degree) | Around ₦300,000 and above per session |
These figures cover tuition alongside standard charges such as registration, library access, and basic clinical exposure. They do not necessarily include the admission form cost, which most of these schools sell separately at a modest price before screening begins, nor do they include accommodation, uniforms, textbooks, or personal upkeep, all of which add to the total amount a student spends in a session.
What Makes Up the Total Fee at a Private Nursing School
A private nursing school’s published tuition figure rarely represents the complete financial commitment a student makes in a session. The following components typically combine to form the full cost of attending a private nursing school in Kano State:
- Admission form fee — a one-time charge paid before screening, usually a small fraction of the overall cost.
- Acceptance fee — paid once admission is confirmed, securing the candidate’s place in the programme.
- Tuition fee — the core annual charge covering lectures, coursework, and academic supervision.
- Laboratory and clinical fee — covers practical sessions, simulation equipment, and supervised hospital rotations, which form a substantial part of nursing training.
- Uniform and clinical kit fee — many private nursing schools require students to purchase official uniforms, aprons, and basic clinical instruments as part of registration.
- Library and ICT fee — supports access to reading materials and, in some schools, an online learning portal.
- Accommodation fee — applicable to students who choose to stay in hostel facilities provided by the school, where available.
- Examination and council registration fee — covers internal examinations and, closer to graduation, registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for licensing purposes.
Differences Between Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, and Degree-Level Nursing Fees
Private institutions in Kano State that run both Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery programmes generally charge similar fees for both tracks, since the training structure, duration, and clinical requirements are comparable. Community Nursing and Community Midwifery programmes, which run for three years and prepare students to serve in primary healthcare and rural community settings, often carry a fee close to the standard Basic Nursing rate, though this can vary by institution.
Degree-level nursing science programmes, such as the B.NSc offered through Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria, typically follow a different fee structure entirely, since they run for a longer duration (usually five years) and combine general university tuition with nursing-specific practical charges. A student pursuing a nursing degree at a private university in Kano should expect a fee structure closer to standard private university tuition rather than the fee pattern seen at standalone colleges of nursing.
Admission Requirements Common to Private Nursing Schools in Kano
While fee structures differ, most private nursing schools in Kano State apply broadly similar entry requirements for their Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, and Community Nursing programmes. A candidate generally needs:
- A minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB.
- These credits must come from not more than two sittings for WAEC/NECO combinations, while NABTEB results are commonly required from a single sitting.
- A minimum age requirement, typically 16 to 18 years, depending on the specific institution’s policy.
- Successful completion of the school’s internal screening process, which usually includes a computer-based test (CBT) and, in some cases, an oral interview.
Institutions that also run National Diploma (ND) programmes alongside their direct-entry Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery tracks may require a valid JAMB UTME score for the ND route specifically, even where the Basic Nursing or Basic Midwifery certificate route does not require JAMB at all.
How to Apply and Pay Fees at These Schools
The application and payment process across most private nursing schools in Kano State follows a fairly consistent pattern:
- Purchase the admission form either online through the school’s official website or portal, or in person at the school’s admission office.
- Complete the application with correct O’Level details, including examination numbers and centre numbers for verification.
- Sit for the internal entrance examination or CBT screening organized by the school.
- Attend an oral interview where required, particularly for Basic Midwifery and Community Midwifery applicants.
- Pay the acceptance fee once admission is confirmed, followed by the tuition and other associated charges through the school’s designated payment channel.
- Proceed with physical registration, submitting original credentials, passport photographs, and evidence of payment.
Candidates should always confirm payment instructions directly through the official school website or admission office, since fraudulent agents sometimes pose as school representatives to collect money from unsuspecting applicants, particularly around the health-training sector in Northern Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are private nursing schools in Kano State more expensive than public ones?
Yes. Public, state-run colleges of nursing in Kano benefit from government subvention and charge considerably lower fees, while private nursing schools rely entirely on tuition and levies, which places their fees higher, generally between ₦250,000 and ₦450,000 for a first-year student.
Do private nursing schools in Kano State require JAMB?
It depends on the programme. Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery certificate programmes at most private colleges use an internal entrance examination rather than JAMB, while National Diploma or degree-level nursing programmes typically require a valid UTME score.
What is included in the total cost of studying nursing at a private school in Kano?
The total cost usually includes the admission form fee, acceptance fee, tuition, laboratory and clinical charges, uniform and clinical kit costs, library fees, and, where applicable, accommodation and council registration fees closer to graduation.
Which private nursing schools in Kano State are currently NMCN-accredited?
Dansharif College of Nursing Sciences, Sudawa College of Nursing Sciences, and Emirates College of Nursing Sciences are among the private institutions in Kano State that hold NMCN accreditation for their nursing and midwifery programmes.
Is a nursing degree at a private university in Kano more expensive than a certificate at a nursing college?
Generally, yes, since a degree programme runs longer and combines full university tuition with nursing-specific practical charges, while a standalone nursing college’s certificate programme is shorter and more narrowly focused on clinical training.