The College of Nursing Sciences (Joint Hospital), Mbano, commonly referred to as CONSMBANO or School of Nursing Mbano, is a private tertiary health training institution located in Mbano, Imo State. It runs under the management of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ, Nigeria, and offers professional training in Nursing, Midwifery, and Public Health. Students researching this institution usually want a direct answer on what tuition and other charges cost, and how these charges differ between newly admitted students and those continuing their programme. This article explains the fee structure, the programmes it applies to, and the payment process.
About College of Nursing Sciences, Mbano
The institution began in 1983 as a School of Nursing under the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe, and it transitioned into a full College of Nursing Sciences in November 2019. It currently runs three main departments: the Department of Nursing, the Department of Midwifery, and the Department of Public Health. The college offers the Bachelor of Nursing Sciences (BNSc) programme, Basic Midwifery training, and Post-Basic Nursing programmes for candidates who already hold an initial nursing qualification and want to specialise further. Because it operates multiple programme categories, the fee structure is not identical across board, and prospective students need to confirm the specific charges tied to the programme they are applying for.
General Fee Structure at CONSMBANO
School fees at the College of Nursing Sciences, Mbano, are charged per session and are paid directly through the institution’s approved payment channels. Like most private nursing and health training institutions in Nigeria, the college separates its charges into distinct categories rather than a single flat figure. These typically include tuition, an acceptance fee paid once upon confirmation of admission, accommodation charges for students who opt for hostel facilities, and other administrative charges such as identity card processing, library access, and departmental dues.
Based on the most recent fee information available for the institution, fresh students admitted into the nursing programme should budget in the range of ₦150,000 to ₦220,000 for tuition and core charges in a session, excluding the acceptance fee and hostel accommodation. This range reflects the fact that published figures shift from one admission cycle to another and can also vary depending on the specific programme category a student is registered under. Because school fees at institutions like this are reviewed periodically rather than every single year, a figure that applied in one session may remain fairly close for the next one or two sessions before any adjustment is made.
Application and Admission Form Fee
Before school fees come into consideration at all, prospective students first purchase the admission form to apply for a place in the college. The admission form for the General Nursing and related programmes at CONSMBANO is priced at ₦18,200. This fee is separate from tuition and is paid only by prospective candidates going through the application and entrance examination process, not by students who have already secured admission. Candidates are advised to purchase this form directly through the college’s official application channel and to avoid making any admission-related payment to individuals or third parties who are not officially authorised by the institution.
Fees for Freshers (Newly Admitted Students)
Freshers, meaning candidates who have just been offered admission for the first time, typically pay a higher total in their first session compared to returning students. This is because the first-session charges include one-off costs that do not repeat in subsequent years, such as the acceptance fee, matriculation-related charges, and initial registration costs. A fresher’s total package generally includes:
- Acceptance fee – paid once, immediately after an admission offer is confirmed, to secure the candidate’s place in the college.
- Tuition fee – the core academic charge for the session, which forms the largest portion of the total school fees.
- Accommodation fee – applicable to students who choose to live in the college hostel, charged separately from tuition.
- Departmental and administrative charges – covering items such as identity cards, practical kits, library access, and other one-time registration costs tied to first-year enrolment.
Because these one-off charges are bundled into the first session, freshers should expect their total first-year cost to sit at the higher end of the typical range compared to what they will pay in later years of the programme.
Fees for Returning Students
Returning students, meaning those who have already completed at least one session and are continuing into the next level of their programme, generally pay a reduced total compared to freshers. This is because the one-off charges tied to fresh admission, such as the acceptance fee and first-year registration costs, do not apply again. Returning students mainly pay tuition for the new session, along with recurring charges such as library dues, departmental fees, and accommodation if they continue to reside in the hostel. Since these one-off costs are removed, a returning student’s total fee package is typically lower than what a fresher pays in their first year, even though tuition itself may remain fairly consistent from one session to another.
Comparison of Freshers and Returning Students Fees
The table below summarises the general difference in fee obligations between the two categories of students at the College of Nursing Sciences, Mbano.
| Fee Component | Freshers (New Students) | Returning Students |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Fee | Payable once, upon admission | Not applicable |
| Tuition Fee | Payable every session | Payable every session |
| Accommodation Fee | Payable if hostel is chosen | Payable if hostel is chosen |
| Registration/Administrative Charges | Full first-year charges apply | Reduced, recurring charges only |
| Overall Session Total | Higher, due to one-off charges | Lower, since one-off charges do not repeat |
Programmes Offered and How They Affect Fees
Since the College of Nursing Sciences, Mbano, runs more than one training track, the exact fee a student pays also depends on which programme they are enrolled in. The Bachelor of Nursing Sciences (BNSc) programme, which follows the standard university-style nursing degree structure, typically carries different departmental charges compared to the Basic Midwifery programme or the Post-Basic Nursing programme, which is designed for candidates who already hold a nursing qualification and are pursuing additional specialisation. Candidates should always confirm which specific programme category their fee schedule falls under, since the college does not apply a single uniform figure across all its training tracks.
Admission Requirements Linked to Fee Payment
Fee payment at the college follows the standard admission process used by most nursing training institutions in Nigeria. Candidates are required to have participated in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and meet the minimum JAMB score set by the college, which currently stands at 180 for the Bachelor of Nursing Sciences programme. Candidates must also hold at least five credit passes in relevant O’Level subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings under WAEC or NECO, or in one sitting under NABTEB. Only after a candidate clears the entrance examination, oral interview, and screening process does the question of paying tuition and other session-based fees arise, since payment is tied directly to a confirmed offer of admission.
How to Pay School Fees at CONSMBANO
Students are expected to make payments through the official channels designated by the college’s bursary or admissions office rather than through informal arrangements. The recommended approach for both freshers and returning students is to:
- Confirm the current fee schedule directly from the college’s admissions office or official student portal before making any payment, since figures can be adjusted between sessions.
- Pay the acceptance fee first, if newly admitted, to formally secure the offered place before proceeding to other charges.
- Settle tuition and other session charges within the timeline communicated by the college, typically before or shortly after resumption.
- Keep all payment evidence, including receipts or portal confirmation, for future reference during registration and clearance.
- Avoid third-party payment channels, since the institution has cautioned prospective and current students against making admission or fee-related payments to unauthorised individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are the school fees at College of Nursing Sciences, Mbano?
Fresh students should generally budget between ₦150,000 and ₦220,000 for tuition and core charges per session, excluding the acceptance fee and accommodation, though this figure can shift slightly from one admission cycle to another.
Do freshers and returning students pay the same fees?
No. Freshers pay more in their first session because of one-off charges such as the acceptance fee and initial registration costs. Returning students pay a reduced total since these one-off charges do not repeat.
How much is the admission form for College of Nursing Sciences, Mbano?
The admission form is priced at ₦18,200 and is paid only by prospective applicants going through the application and entrance examination process.
What is the minimum JAMB score required for admission into the Bachelor of Nursing Sciences programme at Mbano?
A minimum JAMB score of 180 is required for consideration into the Bachelor of Nursing Sciences programme at the college.
Does the school fee include accommodation?
No. Accommodation is charged separately from tuition, and students who wish to stay in the hostel pay this as an additional cost on top of their tuition and other session charges.