The College of Nursing Sciences (CONS) at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, commonly referred to as the Igbobi School of Nursing, is a federal institution located at 120/124 Ikorodu Road, Yaba, Lagos. The college trains nurses within a hospital-based environment and runs its programmes under full accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). This article explains what freshers and returning students at the College of Nursing Sciences, Igbobi should expect to pay for the 2026/2027 academic session, based on the college’s admission structure and fee pattern, along with what candidates need to know before applying.
About College of Nursing Sciences, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi
The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi began as a medical establishment in 1945 and today hosts two major academic arms alongside its clinical operations: the College of Nursing Sciences (CONS) and the Federal College of Orthopaedic Technology (FECOT). The College of Nursing Sciences runs a four-year, full-time National Diploma to Higher National Diploma (ND-HND) non-terminal Nursing Sciences programme, along with Post-Basic Orthopaedic Nursing and Post-Basic Accident and Emergency (A&E) Nursing programmes for candidates who already hold Registered Nurse (RN) certification and want to specialise further.
Because the college operates as a federal, hospital-affiliated institution rather than a privately-owned nursing school, its fee structure is considerably lower than what candidates would pay at private nursing colleges of comparable accreditation. This places the Igbobi School of Nursing in a similar affordability category to other federal and teaching-hospital-based nursing schools in Lagos, such as the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) School of Nursing, though each institution sets its own specific figures.
Admission Requirements Before Fee Payment
Before looking at the fee structure, candidates should understand what is required to gain admission into the ND Nursing programme at CONS, Igbobi, since these requirements shape when and how fees become payable. Candidates must possess five O’Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings through WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB. For the ND Nursing pathway, candidates must also register for JAMB and meet the college’s UTME cut off mark, which stands at 170 for the 2026/2027 admission session, in addition to passing the college’s own Post-UTME screening exercise. Candidates applying for the Post-Basic Orthopaedic or Post-Basic Accident and Emergency Nursing programmes do not require a JAMB score; instead, admission into these specialised tracks is based on existing RN certification, at least one year of post-registration clinical experience, and performance in an interview conducted by the college.
The admission form for the 2026/2027 session is priced at ₦15,000, obtainable through the official NOHIL admission portal or at the college’s admissions office in Lagos, while candidates who scale through to the Post-UTME screening stage pay an additional, separate screening fee, which has historically been set at a modest amount (₦2,000 in recent screening cycles) payable via the Remita platform into the college’s designated account.
School Fees for Fresh (Newly Admitted) Students
Freshers admitted into the ND Nursing programme at CONS, Igbobi pay more in their first year than returning students, since the fresher fee includes one-off charges tied strictly to new admission, in addition to the recurring tuition every student pays each session. Based on the college’s fee pattern and its position among federal, hospital-based nursing schools in Lagos, a fresher should budget the amounts outlined in the table below for the first year.
| Fee Item | Applies To | Estimated Amount (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Form | Freshers only | 15,000 |
| Post-UTME Screening Fee | Freshers only | 2,000 |
| Acceptance Fee | Freshers only | 30,000 |
| Tuition/School Fee | Freshers | 100,000 – 150,000 |
| Registration Charges | Freshers | 10,000 – 15,000 |
| Uniform and Clinical Wear | Freshers only | 15,000 – 25,000 |
| ID Card and Matriculation Fee | Freshers only | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| Medical Examination Fee | Freshers only | 10,000 – 15,000 |
| Library and Departmental Levy | Freshers and returning students | 10,000 – 20,000 |
| Clinical Posting/Practical Fee | Freshers and returning students | 15,000 – 25,000 |
Adding these components together, a fresher at College of Nursing Sciences, Igbobi should expect to pay approximately ₦210,000 to ₦300,000 for the full first academic year, once tuition and every compulsory entry-related charge is included, excluding hostel accommodation for students who opt for it. This positions the college firmly within the affordability range typical of federal, hospital-based nursing schools in Lagos, well below what students pay at privately-owned nursing colleges of similar accreditation status.
School Fees for Returning Students
Students who have completed their first year and are progressing into Year 2, 3, or 4 of the ND-HND programme pay a reduced amount compared to freshers, since the one-off entry charges — admission form, screening fee, acceptance fee, matriculation fee, and first-time uniform cost — no longer apply. A returning student’s fee is made up primarily of recurring items: tuition, the clinical posting and practical fee, library and departmental levies, and any additional levy introduced for that particular session.
Returning students at CONS, Igbobi should expect to pay approximately ₦130,000 to ₦190,000 per session, with students progressing into the HND stage of the programme sometimes paying a marginally higher amount because of increased clinical rotation and practicum-related charges tied to more advanced stages of the curriculum.
Comparison of Fresher and Returning Student Fees
The table below places both fee structures side by side to clarify where the cost difference comes from.
| Fee Category | Freshers | Returning Students |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Form | Charged (₦15,000) | Not charged |
| Post-UTME Screening Fee | Charged (₦2,000) | Not charged |
| Acceptance Fee | Charged | Not charged |
| Matriculation/ID Card Fee | Charged | Not charged |
| First-Time Uniform Cost | Charged | Only if replacing worn-out items |
| Tuition | Full session amount | Full session amount |
| Clinical Posting/Practical Fee | Charged | Charged |
| Library/Departmental Levy | Charged | Charged |
| Estimated Total per Session | ₦210,000 – ₦300,000 | ₦130,000 – ₦190,000 |
How the Igbobi School of Nursing Compares to Other Lagos Nursing Institutions
Candidates weighing their options in Lagos often compare CONS, Igbobi against other hospital-based and state-run nursing schools in the state. The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) School of Nursing charges approximately ₦120,000 to ₦200,000 per session, while the Lagos State School of Nursing, Igando, ranges from roughly ₦100,000 to ₦300,000 per session depending on the specific charges applied in a given year. CONS, Igbobi falls within a broadly similar range, reflecting the shared characteristic among these institutions of being government-affiliated or hospital-based schools that do not rely solely on tuition to fund their operations, unlike privately-owned nursing colleges.
What the Fees at CONS, Igbobi Cover
Fees paid at College of Nursing Sciences, Igbobi support both academic instruction and the hands-on clinical training that defines the programme. This includes classroom instruction delivered by qualified nurse educators, access to the college’s practical and skills training facilities, coordination of clinical postings within the National Orthopaedic Hospital and its associated healthcare network for supervised, real-world patient care experience, administration of semester examinations and continuous assessment, and general administrative and student welfare support. A portion of the fee also goes toward maintaining the college’s NMCN accreditation standards, which require nursing training institutions to meet specific staffing, equipment, and facility benchmarks.
Additional Costs Outside the Standard Fee Schedule
Beyond the fees the college bills directly, students should plan for a number of expenses that fall outside the official schedule but remain part of the real cost of completing the programme. These include nursing textbooks and reference materials, daily feeding and personal upkeep, transportation to and from the hospital for students who do not reside close to the college, and personal clinical instruments such as a stethoscope and thermometer that students are typically expected to provide individually. Students who do not take up hostel accommodation, where available, should also budget for the cost of renting accommodation within reach of the Igbobi/Yaba area of Lagos.
Payment Process and Guidelines
Payments at College of Nursing Sciences, Igbobi are processed through the Remita platform, linked to the college’s official admission and payment portal. Candidates generate a payment reference through the portal, complete payment via bank transfer or debit card, and then submit proof of payment either by uploading it to the portal or presenting it at the college’s bursary office for confirmation and issuance of an official receipt. Every student should retain this proof of payment, since it serves as the reference document required during registration and at any point a payment dispute needs resolution.
Given that fees at government-affiliated institutions like CONS, Igbobi can be revised from one session to another, candidates and current students are strongly advised to confirm the exact figure for the 2026/2027 session directly through the official NOHIL admission portal rather than relying on unofficial figures shared on social media, which the college itself has cautioned against in past admission notices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a fresher pay in total for the first year at College of Nursing Sciences, Igbobi?
A fresher should budget approximately ₦210,000 to ₦300,000 for the full first academic year, covering the admission form, screening fee, acceptance fee, tuition, and other compulsory entry-related charges.
How much do returning students pay per session?
Returning students in Year 2 and beyond of the ND-HND programme pay approximately ₦130,000 to ₦190,000 per session, since one-off entry charges no longer apply.
Is JAMB required for admission into College of Nursing Sciences, Igbobi?
Yes, for the ND Nursing pathway. Candidates need a UTME score meeting the college’s cut off mark, currently 170 for the 2026/2027 session, and must pass the college’s Post-UTME screening. Post-Basic Orthopaedic and A&E Nursing programmes do not require JAMB and instead admit based on RN certification and clinical experience.
Why are fees at CONS, Igbobi lower than at private nursing colleges?
CONS, Igbobi is a federal, hospital-affiliated institution, which means it benefits from government and hospital infrastructure support rather than relying entirely on student fees, unlike privately-owned nursing colleges that must fund their entire operation through tuition.
Where can candidates confirm the exact, current fee amount for 2026/2027?
The official NOHIL admission portal and the college’s bursary office remain the most reliable sources for the exact 2026/2027 fee figure, since the college has publicly cautioned applicants against relying on unofficial fee amounts shared on social media.