The School of Nursing, Abeokuta, known officially as SONAB and situated at Idi-Aba in Ogun State, is one of the oldest nursing training institutions in southwestern Nigeria. It traces its origins to 1976, the year Ogun State was created out of the old Western State, and it remains one of the three campuses that make up the Ogun State College of Nursing system, alongside sister campuses in Ijebu-Ode and Ilaro. This article explains what the school currently charges freshers and returning students for the 2026/2027 academic session, how its admission process works under the present ND Nursing structure, and what else a candidate should plan for financially.
About the School of Nursing, Abeokuta
Before Ogun State existed as a separate entity, nursing trainees from the area passed through the Preliminary Training School at Eleyele, Ibadan, for six months before being posted to the old State Hospital School of Nursing at Ijaye, Abeokuta, to complete the remaining three years of training. When the school reopened on a provisional approval basis in January 1976, the first set of thirty pioneer students of the newly created Ogun State commenced training on 13th February 1976. The school later moved from its original site at Ijaye to its permanent location at Idi-Aba, where it now houses both the School of Nursing and the School of Midwifery under one administrative structure.
The institution operates under the Ogun State Ministry of Health and is fully accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). It currently runs the National Diploma (ND) Nursing programme, which candidates now enter through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME/JAMB) rather than the older, direct-entry Basic Nursing route many state nursing schools used in the past. The school also runs a Post Basic Nursing and Midwifery track for candidates who have already completed a Basic Nursing or Basic Midwifery qualification and wish to specialize further.
School Fees for Fresh Students, 2026/2027
The School of Nursing, Abeokuta, keeps its tuition considerably lower than what federal or private nursing institutions charge, since it operates as a government-subsidized state college. Based on the fee pattern reported for the Abeokuta campus of the Ogun State College of Nursing system, tuition for fresh ND Nursing students sits at approximately ₦65,000 per session, excluding accommodation and other compulsory charges. This places the School of Nursing, Abeokuta, among the more affordable nursing training options in Ogun State, particularly when compared to the federal-run School of Nursing at the Federal Medical Centre or mission-run institutions such as Sacred Heart School of Nursing, Lantoro, both of which charge noticeably higher session fees.
A fresher’s first-year package typically covers:
- Tuition for the ND programme
- Registration and matriculation charges
- Laboratory and clinical practical fees
- Library and ICT access
- Internal examination fees
- Medical screening charges
- Identity card and student union dues
Hostel accommodation, uniforms, textbooks, and clinical equipment such as a stethoscope and thermometer are billed or budgeted separately from the core tuition figure, since these vary depending on individual student needs and whether a student takes up on-campus housing.
School Fees for Returning Students
Once a fresher completes the first year of the ND programme and proceeds into subsequent levels, the college fee typically decreases from the fresher’s total, since matriculation and other one-time first-year charges no longer apply. Returning students continue to pay tuition, laboratory and practical fees, and internal examination charges each session, but without the registration costs tied specifically to new admission. Because the School of Nursing, Abeokuta, is a state-subsidized institution, tuition itself tends to stay fairly stable across levels compared to private nursing colleges, with the difference between a fresher’s and a returning student’s total cost coming mainly from the drop in one-time admission charges rather than a change in the core tuition rate.
The table below summarizes the general fee pattern for quick reference.
| Fee Component | Fresh Students (Year 1) | Returning Students (Year 2 and above) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Approximately ₦65,000 per session | Similar tuition rate, one-time charges removed |
| Registration/matriculation | Included | Not applicable |
| Laboratory/practical fees | Included | Included |
| Library and ICT fee | Included | Included |
| Internal examination fee | Included | Included |
| Identity card | Included | Renewal fee may apply |
| Application form | Separate, one-time (₦7,000 – ₦10,000) | Not applicable |
| Hostel accommodation | Separate | Separate |
Application Fee and How to Apply
Admission into the School of Nursing, Abeokuta, now runs through the JAMB/UTME system for the ND Nursing programme, replacing the older direct application route that many state nursing schools previously used. The school’s admission form has historically been priced between ₦7,000 and ₦10,000, payable once a candidate begins the application process, and this covers only the cost of registering for the school’s own screening exercise rather than the JAMB registration fee itself, which candidates pay separately to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
The general steps to apply are as follows:
- Register for UTME and select the School of Nursing, Abeokuta (under the Ogun State College of Nursing system), as the preferred institution, ensuring the correct subject combination for Nursing is selected.
- Meet the minimum credit requirement in the relevant O’Level subjects, obtained in not more than two sittings through WAEC or NECO.
- Visit the school’s official admission portal or the Ogun State Ministry of Health’s designated application channel to purchase the school’s screening form.
- Complete the online or physical application form with accurate personal and academic details.
- Sit for the post-UTME screening exercise conducted by the school, which typically combines a written test with document verification.
- Await release of the admission list and follow the instructions provided for accepting the offer and completing registration.
Candidates applying for the Post Basic Nursing and Midwifery track follow a separate application process, since this track is reserved for candidates who already hold a Basic Nursing or Basic Midwifery qualification and are not entering through the standard UTME route.
Entry Requirements
To qualify for the ND Nursing programme at the School of Nursing, Abeokuta, a candidate needs:
- Five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained from WAEC or NECO in not more than two sittings.
- A valid UTME registration with the School of Nursing, Abeokuta (or the wider Ogun State College of Nursing system), selected as the preferred institution and campus.
- To fall within the age range the school specifies for entry into the basic programme, generally set between 18 and 35 years.
Candidates applying for the Post Basic Nursing and Midwifery track must already hold a recognized Basic Nursing or Basic Midwifery certificate and typically face a different, generally more flexible age requirement, since this track serves practicing nurses seeking further specialization rather than fresh secondary school leavers.
Why the School of Nursing, Abeokuta, Costs Less Than Other Nursing Schools in Ogun State
Candidates comparing nursing training options within Ogun State will notice that the School of Nursing, Abeokuta, sits at the lower end of the fee scale. This is because it operates directly under state government subvention as part of the Ogun State College of Nursing system, unlike the Federal Medical Centre’s nursing school, which runs under federal funding structures with a different fee band, or Sacred Heart School of Nursing, Lantoro, which operates under Catholic mission funding and charges accordingly. The trade-off for lower fees at a state institution is often a more competitive admission process, since demand for available slots tends to be high relative to the number of places offered each session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the School of Nursing, Abeokuta, still admit students without UTME?
No. The school currently processes ND Nursing admissions through the UTME/JAMB system, which is a shift from the older direct-entry Basic Nursing format some state nursing schools previously used.
Is the application form fee refundable?
No. Like most nursing school application charges in Nigeria, the fee paid to purchase and process the school’s admission form is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of screening.
Does the quoted tuition include hostel accommodation?
No. The approximately ₦65,000 per session figure covers tuition only. Hostel accommodation, uniforms, and clinical equipment are billed or budgeted separately.
Can a candidate apply for the Post Basic Nursing and Midwifery track directly after secondary school?
No. This track is open only to candidates who already hold a recognized Basic Nursing or Basic Midwifery qualification, since it builds on existing clinical training rather than starting from scratch.
Why do returning students pay less than freshers?
Returning students no longer pay the one-time registration and matriculation charges applied only to freshers, which lowers their overall session cost even though the core tuition rate stays broadly similar across levels.