Candidates searching for nursing training options in Yobe State often assume there are several private colleges to compare, but the reality is more specific: Yobe State’s nursing training landscape is dominated by public, government-owned institutions, with one recognised private nursing college currently serving the state. This article identifies that institution, explains its programmes and fee structure, and outlines the alternative private nursing colleges in nearby North-East states that Yobe-based candidates commonly consider when weighing their options for the 2026/2027 academic session.
The Nursing Training Landscape in Yobe State
Before looking specifically at private options, it helps to understand the full picture of nursing education in Yobe State. The state’s principal nursing training institution is Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery, Damaturu, a state-owned college situated along Gujba Road, opposite the General Sani Abacha State Specialist Hospital in Damaturu. The institution began as a School of Nursing in October 1993 and attained collegial status in 2011, later adding Basic Midwifery in 2015 and Community Midwifery in 2018. Being state-owned, it is not a private institution, even though many candidates search for it alongside private options when comparing nursing schools in the state.
Alongside Shehu Sule College, Yobe State also has the College of Health Sciences and Technology, Nguru, another publicly funded institution offering health-related diploma programmes, and Yobe State University, Damaturu, which runs a Department of Nursing Sciences under its Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, offering the full Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) degree route through JAMB admission.
Against this backdrop, Al-Ma’arif College of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Sciences, located in Potiskum, Yobe State, stands out as the state’s recognised private nursing training institution.
About Al-Ma’arif College of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Sciences
Al-Ma’arif College of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Sciences was established on 21st November 2021 in Potiskum, Yobe State, under the umbrella of the Al-Ma’arif Islamic Foundation, a foundation committed to educational and community development in the North-East region. The college was founded by a group of public-spirited individuals who identified the acute shortage of trained medical and health personnel in the state and sought to help bridge that gap through structured nursing and health sciences education.
The college holds approval and accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and operates in coordination with the Yobe State Ministry of Health. Its stated mission centres on promoting medical excellence in health sciences at national and international levels, while positioning itself as a regional centre of excellence for producing skilled health and social services manpower through training, service, and research. The college has also formed partnerships with hospitals in the region to give students hands-on clinical training and internship placements as part of their programme.
Al-Ma’arif College runs a four-year National Diploma and Higher National Diploma (ND/HND) General Nursing programme, along with additional tracks in Community Nursing, Basic Midwifery, and Community Midwifery, offered at different points across the academic calendar depending on demand and available intake slots.
Admission Requirements at Al-Ma’arif College of Nursing
Candidates applying for the ND/HND General Nursing programme at Al-Ma’arif College must generally meet the following conditions:
- A minimum of five O’Level credit passes, including English Language, Mathematics, and relevant science subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained from WAEC, NECO, or GCE in not more than two sittings.
- Completion and submission of the college’s official admission form, available online through the college’s official portal or physically at the college’s ICT and E-Library units.
- Payment of the non-refundable admission form fee, which in recent admission cycles has been priced at ₦5,000.
- Successful performance in the college’s entrance screening or Post-UTME exercise, where applicable, for the intake being applied to.
Candidates applying for the Community Nursing, Basic Midwifery, or Community Midwifery tracks should confirm the specific entry requirements for each programme directly with the college, since these can differ slightly from the General Nursing route in terms of age, prior qualification, and O’Level subject combination.
School Fees for Freshers
Al-Ma’arif College of Nursing has not published a single, comprehensive, publicly available fee schedule covering every charge for its 2026/2027 intake, so prospective candidates should treat any specific naira figure as a working estimate pending direct confirmation from the college’s admissions office. Based on the fee levels typical of comparable private, foundation-run nursing colleges operating in the North-East region, freshers at Al-Ma’arif College should reasonably expect a total cost in the region of ₦150,000 to ₦230,000 for the 2026/2027 session, once tuition and the standard one-time onboarding charges are combined.
The components that typically make up a fresher’s total bill at Al-Ma’arif College of Nursing include:
- Admission form fee: a one-time, non-refundable charge (₦5,000 in recent admission cycles) paid to obtain and submit the application form.
- Tuition fee: the core academic charge for lectures, laboratory work, and clinical instruction for the session.
- Acceptance fee: a one-time, non-refundable payment made once an offer of admission is confirmed.
- Uniform and clinical kit fee: covers the nursing uniforms and basic clinical equipment freshers need before beginning ward postings at the college’s partner hospitals.
- Medical fitness screening fee: covers the pre-admission health check required to confirm a candidate’s fitness for hospital-based clinical training.
- Registration and identity card fee: administrative charge covering biodata capture and student identification.
- Library and ICT levies: support access to the college’s library and computer resources used for the online admission and Post-UTME processes.
School Fees for Returning Students
From the second year of the ND/HND programme onward, students no longer pay the one-time onboarding charges specific to fresh admission, such as the admission form fee, acceptance fee, uniform and clinical kit fee, and initial medical screening. Returning students at Al-Ma’arif College should reasonably expect a session cost in the region of ₦110,000 to ₦180,000, covering tuition, examination fees, continuing clinical practicum charges at partner hospitals, and standard departmental levies.
Fee Comparison Table: Freshers vs Returning Students
| Fee Component | Freshers | Returning Students |
|---|---|---|
| Admission form fee | ₦5,000 (paid once) | Not applicable |
| Acceptance fee | Paid once (non-refundable) | Not applicable |
| Tuition | Charged in full | Charged in full |
| Uniform & clinical kit | Paid in first year | Not applicable, unless replacement is needed |
| Medical fitness screening | Paid before resumption | Usually not repeated |
| Registration/ID charges | Paid | Paid (renewal, where applicable) |
| Library & ICT levy | Paid | Paid |
| Examination fee | Paid | Paid |
| Approximate session total | ₦150,000 – ₦230,000 (estimate) | ₦110,000 – ₦180,000 (estimate) |
Candidates should confirm the exact, current figures directly through the college’s official portal or admissions office, since Al-Ma’arif College has not made a full, itemised fee breakdown publicly available for verification.
Private Nursing Colleges in Neighbouring States
Because Yobe State has only one clearly recognised private nursing college, some candidates in the state also look toward established private nursing colleges in nearby North-East and North-West states, particularly where a preferred programme or specialty is not currently available in Yobe. Reputable options in this category include private, foundation- or hospital-affiliated colleges of nursing sciences in states such as Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, and Kano, many of which run similar ND/HND General Nursing programmes with comparable fee levels, generally in the ₦150,000 to ₦300,000 range for freshers, depending on the specific institution and programme.
Candidates considering this route should verify NMCN accreditation status for any out-of-state private nursing college before applying, since accreditation directly affects a graduate’s eligibility to sit for professional licensing examinations and practice as a Registered Nurse after completing the programme.
How Payment Is Made
Payment of fees at Al-Ma’arif College of Nursing generally follows the standard process common to private nursing colleges in Nigeria:
- Candidates complete the online admission form through the college’s official portal or the physical ICT and E-Library units at the college.
- The non-refundable admission form fee is paid at the point of application.
- Successful candidates who scale the entrance screening process receive an offer of admission and pay the acceptance fee to confirm their place.
- Before resumption, admitted students pay tuition and other approved charges through the designated bank accounts or payment channels specified by the college’s accounts office.
- Students retain evidence of payment, since this is required during physical registration and biodata verification.
Candidates should only use the official application and payment channels published on the college’s website and should be cautious of any individual or third party offering to process admission or reduce fees through unofficial means.
What the Fees Do Not Typically Cover
School fees at Al-Ma’arif College of Nursing generally do not include textbooks, personal stationery, feeding, or transportation for students who do not reside within any hostel facility the college may offer. Candidates should plan for these additional living costs separately from the official fees paid to the college.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there more than one private nursing college in Yobe State?
No. Based on current, verifiable information, Al-Ma’arif College of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Sciences, Potiskum, is the recognised private nursing training institution in Yobe State. Other nursing training options in the state, including Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery, Damaturu, and Yobe State University’s Department of Nursing Sciences, are publicly owned.
How much do freshers pay at Al-Ma’arif College of Nursing for 2026/2027?
Freshers should reasonably expect to pay in the region of ₦150,000 to ₦230,000 for the session, covering tuition, admission form fee, acceptance fee, uniform, and other one-time onboarding costs. The exact figure should be confirmed with the college’s admissions office.
How much do returning students pay?
Returning students should reasonably expect to pay between ₦110,000 and ₦180,000 per session, since they no longer pay the one-time charges that apply only to freshers.
Is Al-Ma’arif College of Nursing accredited?
Yes. The college has received approval and accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and operates in coordination with the Yobe State Ministry of Health.
What programmes does Al-Ma’arif College of Nursing offer?
The college runs a four-year ND/HND General Nursing programme, along with additional tracks in Community Nursing, Basic Midwifery, and Community Midwifery, offered at different points across the academic calendar.