The College of Nursing Sciences, Umulogho-Obowo (commonly referred to as CONSUO) is affiliated with Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, situated in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State. Established on the 31st of July, 1983, the institution has operated for several decades as one of the reliable training grounds for nurses and midwives in the South East. The college holds accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and runs both the Basic General Nursing Programme and the Post Basic Nursing Programme, along with Post Basic Midwifery and internship pathways for candidates advancing beyond their foundational qualification.
Because CONSUO operates as a mission-affiliated private nursing school rather than a government-subsidized institution, its fee structure reflects the true cost of running clinical training, laboratory instruction, and hospital-based ward postings, positioning it within a moderate range compared to other private colleges of nursing across Imo State and the wider South East region.
General Fee Range for Freshers
For the 2026/2027 academic session, a candidate newly admitted into the Basic General Nursing Programme at CONSUO should expect to pay within an estimated range of ₦150,000 to ₦200,000 for tuition and registration. This figure covers core academic charges such as tuition, registration, and examination fees, but does not typically include several additional charges that apply specifically to freshers, such as the acceptance fee, medical screening fee, caution fee, and uniform fee, which the college adds separately during first-year enrollment. Once these extra charges are added, a fresher’s total cost for the first session tends to sit above the base tuition figure alone.
Candidates should also factor in accommodation costs, since the college does not always guarantee on-campus hostel space for every student. Many freshers arrange private lodging within Obowo town or its surrounding communities, with a self-contained apartment typically costing between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 per year, while shared apartments cost less. Where the college does offer hostel accommodation, the charge is either bundled into the general school fees or billed separately at a rate the school management determines each session.
General Fee Range for Returning Students
Returning students at CONSUO pay a reduced package compared to freshers, since they no longer owe the one-off charges tied to fresh admission. Their fee typically consists of recurring tuition, registration, examination charges, and clinical training fees, without the added acceptance fee, medical screening fee, and uniform fee that apply only at the point of entry. This generally places a returning student’s total session cost below what a fresher pays in their first year at the college.
Fee Components at CONSUO
The total amount a student pays in a given session is made up of several distinct charges. The main components generally include:
- Acceptance fee — paid once by freshers to confirm admission after screening and interview.
- Tuition and registration fee — the core academic charge, ranging from ₦150,000 to ₦200,000 per session for the Basic General Nursing Programme.
- Examination fee — covers internal semester and end-of-year assessments.
- Clinical training fee — covers supervised ward postings and hands-on practical exposure at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital and any other affiliated clinical sites.
- Medical screening fee — confirms a candidate’s fitness to undergo nursing training, generally applicable to freshers.
- Uniform fee — a one-off charge for official nursing uniforms and clinical wear, typically paid by freshers.
- Caution fee — a refundable deposit against damages or breaches of college conduct, usually charged to new students.
- Accommodation cost — where applicable, either bundled into general fees for on-campus hostel space, or arranged privately within Obowo town at an estimated ₦100,000 to ₦120,000 per year for a self-contained apartment.
Summary Table of Fee Categories
The table below outlines how these charges generally apply to freshers compared to returning students at CONSUO.
| Fee Category | Freshers | Returning Students | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Fee | Yes | No | Paid once, after admission is confirmed |
| Tuition/Registration Fee | Yes | Yes | Ranges from ₦150,000 to ₦200,000 per session |
| Examination Fee | Yes | Yes | Covers internal assessments each session |
| Clinical Training Fee | Yes | Yes | Covers ward postings and practicals |
| Medical Screening Fee | Yes | No | One-off charge confirming fitness for training |
| Uniform Fee | Yes | No (unless replacing worn uniform) | Covers official nursing and clinical wear |
| Caution Fee | Yes | No | Refundable deposit against damages |
| Accommodation | Optional | Optional | ₦100,000 – ₦120,000 per year (self-contained, off-campus) |
This structure explains why a newly admitted student’s total first-session cost is notably higher than what a second-year or third-year student pays at the same institution.
Admission Requirements for the General Nursing Programme
Before a candidate can proceed to fee payment, they must first satisfy CONSUO’s admission requirements for entry into the Nursing and Midwifery Council-approved General Nursing Programme. Candidates need a minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, obtained in not more than two sittings from SSCE, GCE O’Level, or NECO. These credits must include English Language, along with either Physics, Chemistry, or Biology/Health Science, depending on the exact combination the college specifies for a given session. Some admission cycles have also required candidates to be indigenes drawn from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, reflecting the college’s broader national outreach in its intake policy. Candidates are advised to confirm the current subject combination and any zone-based intake requirements directly with the college’s admission office before applying, since these details can be adjusted from one session to another.
Programmes Offered at CONSUO
The college runs more than one nursing-related pathway, and understanding which programme a candidate is entering helps clarify how long fee payments will continue. The main programmes include:
- Basic General Nursing Programme — the foundational, NMCN-approved training leading to the Registered Nurse (RN) qualification.
- Post Basic Nursing Programme — a specialized, shorter programme for candidates who already hold a nursing qualification and wish to advance into a specific area of practice.
- Post Basic Midwifery Programme — designed for already-qualified nurses seeking additional certification in midwifery care.
- Internship Programme — available to candidates who have completed their foundational training and require a structured, supervised internship period before full professional registration.
Each of these pathways carries its own fee schedule, and while the general categories of charges, such as tuition, clinical training, and registration, remain broadly similar across programmes, the specific amount and duration differ depending on whether a candidate is pursuing the Basic General Nursing route or one of the Post Basic specialty tracks.
How to Apply and Pay Fees at CONSUO
The general admission and payment process at CONSUO follows a structured sequence:
- Purchase the admission form either online through the college’s official communication channels or in person at the college’s admission office in Umulogho-Obowo.
- Complete the application with accurate O’Level details, ensuring all required credit passes and subject combinations are correctly entered.
- Attend the entrance screening exercise, which may include a written examination and an interview, depending on the specific admission cycle.
- Confirm admission status once the college releases its admission list for the session.
- Make payment of the acceptance fee, followed by tuition and other associated charges, strictly through the college’s official channels.
- Proceed to physical registration at the college with evidence of payment, admission letter, and required academic documents.
Returning students follow a shorter process, generally moving directly to fee payment and registration renewal ahead of each new session, without repeating the entrance screening stage.
Why Confirming Current Fees Matters
Nursing school fees at private, mission-affiliated institutions like CONSUO are periodically reviewed based on operational costs, inflation, and changes in clinical training arrangements with the affiliated hospital. Because of this, prospective and current students should always confirm the exact fee amount for the 2026/2027 session directly with the college’s admission office rather than relying solely on figures from a previous session, since even a modest adjustment can change the total amount a student is expected to pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a fresher pay at CONSUO for the 2026/2027 session?
The core tuition and registration fee generally falls between ₦150,000 and ₦200,000, with additional charges such as the acceptance fee, medical screening fee, and uniform fee applied separately for freshers.
Do returning students pay less than freshers at this college?
Yes. Returning students no longer owe one-off charges like the acceptance fee, medical screening fee, and uniform fee, which reduces their total cost from the second session onward.
Does the college provide on-campus hostel accommodation?
Accommodation is not always guaranteed for every student, so many students arrange private lodging within Obowo town, with a self-contained apartment typically costing ₦100,000 to ₦120,000 per year.
What subjects are required for admission into the General Nursing Programme?
Candidates need at least five credit passes including English Language, along with Physics, Chemistry, or Biology/Health Science, obtained in not more than two sittings from SSCE, GCE, or NECO.
Where can I confirm the exact fee amount for the current session?
The exact figure should be confirmed directly through the college’s official admission office or verified contact channels, since fees are subject to periodic review by the college management.