Kebbi State, located in the North-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria, hosts a small but growing number of nursing training institutions, most of which are state-owned. Sajo College of Nursing Sciences (SAJOCONS), based in Birnin Kebbi, stands out as the state’s recognised private nursing institution, offering an alternative to candidates who may not secure a slot at the state-run college or who prefer the admission structure of a private nursing provider. Anyone researching private nursing education options in Kebbi State needs a clear picture of what these institutions charge and how their fees compare to the public alternative. This article addresses that directly.
Overview of Nursing Education in Kebbi State
Nursing training in Kebbi State is anchored mainly by Kebbi State College of Nursing Sciences (KBCONS), a government-owned institution formerly known as Kebbi State School of Nursing and Midwifery, established in 2002 and later upgraded to a full college in 2021. Alongside this public institution, private nursing education in the state is represented by Sajo College of Nursing Sciences, located on Sahabi Nabalki Street, behind the Police Barracks, in Birnin Kebbi. Both institutions are recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), which sets the national accreditation and curriculum standards that any nursing training institution in Nigeria must meet before its graduates can sit for the professional licensing examination.
Because private nursing schools generally operate without government subsidy, their fees tend to sit noticeably higher than what a state-owned nursing school charges for the same category of training. This pattern applies in Kebbi State as it does across most of Nigeria, and it is one of the key factors a prospective student should weigh when choosing between the private and public nursing training routes available in the state.
Sajo College of Nursing Sciences (SAJOCONS)
Sajo College of Nursing Sciences is a private nursing institution offering Basic Nursing and Post-Basic Nursing programmes, with a stated mission to strengthen healthcare delivery through standardised nursing practice while complementing the efforts of the Kebbi State government in the health sector. The college runs a three-year General Nursing programme, aligned with NMCN’s Registered Nurse licensing pathway, along with a two-year Post-Basic Nursing programme for candidates who already hold a prior nursing or midwifery qualification.
Admission Requirements
Candidates applying to Sajo College of Nursing Sciences must possess five credit passes in relevant subjects, generally including English Language, Mathematics, and three other subjects relevant to nursing, such as Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. These credits must come from WAEC, GCE, or NECO, obtained in not more than two sittings. Depending on the specific programme, applicants may also be required to present a JAMB result, particularly for candidates seeking admission into an ND Nursing track where UTME registration applies.
Application Fee
The admission form for Sajo College of Nursing Sciences has historically been priced at ₦5,000, payable through the college’s official online application portal. This fee covers the cost of processing the candidate’s application and registering them for the entrance examination, and it is separate from the tuition and other charges billed after admission is confirmed.
Tuition and Fee Structure
Because Sajo College of Nursing Sciences is a privately administered institution, its exact tuition figure is not fixed permanently and is subject to periodic review by the college’s management. Candidates and their sponsors are advised to contact the college directly for the precise and current fee structure rather than relying on outdated figures, since private nursing institutions in Nigeria commonly adjust fees from one admission cycle to the next in response to operating costs and accreditation requirements.
General Fee Comparison: Private vs State Nursing Schools in Kebbi
To help a prospective student understand where a private nursing school fits within the broader cost landscape of nursing education in Kebbi State, the following comparison outlines the typical fee pattern:
| Institution Type | Application Fee Range | Typical Annual Fee Range |
|---|---|---|
| State-owned nursing college (e.g., KBCONS) | ₦6,500 (Basic) / ₦10,500 (Post-Basic) | ₦70,000 – ₦90,000 per session |
| Private nursing college (e.g., SAJOCONS) | Approximately ₦5,000 (application form) | Higher than the state college; confirm directly with the institution |
This comparison reflects the general national pattern in which private nursing schools charge considerably more than state-owned nursing schools, even when the application form fee for the private institution appears comparatively modest. The bulk of the cost difference shows up in the tuition and clinical training charges billed after admission rather than in the initial application fee.
Why Private Nursing School Fees Run Higher
Private nursing institutions operate without the subsidy that state governments extend to their own nursing colleges, meaning the full cost of facilities, clinical training arrangements, staffing, and administration is passed directly to students and their families. This explains why, across Nigeria generally, private nursing schools commonly charge in a considerably higher bracket per session compared to state-run institutions, even though both categories deliver training aligned with the same NMCN curriculum and lead to the same professional licensing outcome.
For a prospective student in Kebbi State weighing Sajo College of Nursing Sciences against the state-run Kebbi State College of Nursing Sciences, the trade-off typically comes down to admission competitiveness and available slots versus overall cost. A state college generally admits at a lower fee but may have limited intake capacity and higher competition for available slots, while a private college often provides a more accessible admission process at a correspondingly higher cost.
Programme Duration and Qualification Outcomes
At Sajo College of Nursing Sciences, the General Nursing programme spans three years and leads to eligibility for the Registered Nurse licensing examination administered by the NMCN. The Post-Basic Nursing programme, open to candidates who already hold a prior nursing or midwifery qualification, typically runs for two years and allows a nurse to specialise further in an advanced area of practice. Both programme tracks align with the national standard applied across NMCN-accredited institutions, meaning graduates from a private college such as Sajo hold the same professional standing as graduates from a state or federal nursing school, provided the institution maintains its accreditation status.
What Freshers Should Expect to Budget For
Beyond the application form fee, a newly admitted student at a private nursing school in Kebbi State should budget for several additional charges typically bundled into the first session, including:
- Tuition fee for the chosen programme
- Acceptance fee, paid once an admission offer is confirmed
- Medical screening fee, covering health checks required before clinical exposure begins
- Uniform and clinical kit fee, covering the nursing uniform and starter clinical instruments
- Registration and matriculation charges, tied to formal enrolment
- Hostel accommodation fee, for students who choose to live in college-provided housing
Because private institutions of this kind periodically review their fee schedule, any prospective student should request the fully itemised breakdown directly from the college’s admission office rather than assuming a fixed figure applies indefinitely.
Admission Process
The standard admission process for a private nursing school in Kebbi State generally follows this pattern:
- The candidate visits the college’s official application portal to register and pay the application form fee.
- The candidate submits required documents, including O’Level results and, where applicable, a JAMB result.
- The college announces and conducts an entrance examination for candidates who meet the eligibility requirements.
- Successful candidates receive an admission offer along with instructions on how to pay the acceptance fee and tuition.
- Admitted students complete registration by presenting original credentials and proof of payment at the college.
Guarding Against Fraudulent Admission Adverts
Prospective applicants researching nursing schools in Kebbi State should be cautious of informal admission adverts circulating through phone-based “admission assistance” channels, which are common across Nigeria for nursing college admissions generally. A genuine private nursing institution will have an official website, a verifiable physical address, and a traceable payment channel through its own portal or designated bank account. Any admission notice that pushes heavily toward calling a personal mobile number without a verifiable institutional link should be treated with caution, and applicants should verify the institution’s accreditation status directly through the NMCN’s approved schools list before making any payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sajo College of Nursing Sciences accredited?
Yes. It is recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, which governs nursing training standards across the country.
How much is the application form for Sajo College of Nursing Sciences?
The application form has historically been priced at ₦5,000, payable through the college’s official application portal.
Is a private nursing school more expensive than the state college in Kebbi?
Generally yes. Private nursing schools nationwide, including Sajo College of Nursing Sciences, typically charge more than state-owned institutions such as Kebbi State College of Nursing Sciences, since private colleges operate without government subsidy.
Do private nursing schools in Kebbi require JAMB?
This depends on the specific programme. Some tracks, particularly ND Nursing, may require a JAMB result, while the standard Basic Nursing programme in some private colleges does not always mandate UTME registration.
Where can a prospective student confirm the exact current fee?
Directly through the college’s official admission office or application portal, since private institutions review their fee schedule periodically.
Conclusion
Private nursing education in Kebbi State is represented mainly by Sajo College of Nursing Sciences, Birnin Kebbi, which offers Basic Nursing and Post-Basic Nursing programmes accredited by the NMCN. While its application form fee is comparatively modest, its overall tuition and session charges generally run higher than the state-owned Kebbi State College of Nursing Sciences, consistent with the pattern seen across private nursing institutions nationwide. Because private nursing schools periodically review their fee schedules, any prospective applicant preparing for the 2026/2027 academic session should confirm the current, exact figures directly with the college’s admission office before making any payment.