Last Updated: April 2026 | This guide ranks the best universities to study Nursing in Nigeria in 2026, including JAMB cut-offs, NMCN accreditation status, clinical training quality and career prospects.
Choosing the right institution to study Nursing in Nigeria is a decision that goes far beyond prestige—it directly determines the quality of your clinical training, your eligibility to sit the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) licensure examination, and your prospects for international nursing migration to the UK, Canada, Australia, and the US. With nursing vacancies in the UK National Health Service routinely exceeding 40,000 positions, Nigerian nurses with internationally recognised training are in extraordinary global demand. This 2026 guide ranks the top universities based on NMCN accreditation status, hospital affiliation quality, clinical exposure hours, and graduate licensure examination pass rates.
Understanding Nursing Programmes in Nigeria: B.Sc. vs. RN
Nigerian universities offer two main pathways for nursing education. The B.Sc. Nursing (Basic) is a 5-year undergraduate programme offered by universities and leads to registration as a Registered Nurse (RN) upon passing the NMCN licensure examination. The RN + B.Sc. Post-Basic route requires candidates to first train as a Registered Nurse (usually 3 years at a School of Nursing), then apply to a university for the additional 2-year degree programme. Both pathways lead to NMCN registration, but the B.Sc. Basic route from a reputable university is increasingly preferred by international employers, especially UK NHS trusts recruiting under the Overseas Nursing Programme.
Top 10 Universities for Nursing in Nigeria 2026
Rank | University | Type | State | JAMB Cut-off | Programme Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) | Federal | Enugu | 200 | 5 years |
2 | University of Lagos (UNILAG) | Federal | Lagos | 200 | 5 years |
3 | Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) | Federal | Osun | 200 | 5 years |
4 | University of Ibadan (UI) | Federal | Oyo | 200 | 5 years |
5 | University of Benin (UNIBEN) | Federal | Edo | 200 | 5 years |
6 | Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) | Federal | Kaduna | 200 | 5 years |
7 | Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) | Federal | Anambra | 200 | 5 years |
8 | Lagos State University (LASU) | State | Lagos | 180 | 5 years |
9 | Babcock University | Private | Ogun | 200 | 5 years |
10 | Madonna University | Private | Anambra/Rivers | 180 | 5 years |
University Profiles: What Makes Each Institution Stand Out
1. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) — Best Overall
UNN’s Department of Nursing Sciences is arguably Nigeria’s finest. Affiliated with the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu, students begin clinical rotations as early as their second year. The UNTH is one of the country’s busiest tertiary hospitals, giving UNN nursing students exposure to the full spectrum of medical cases. UNN nursing graduates have among the highest first-attempt pass rates on the NMCN licensure examination, and the department has produced several directors of nursing in Nigerian federal health institutions. UNN also has an active international collaboration framework, with graduates regularly progressing to postgraduate nursing programmes in the UK and the US.
2. University of Lagos (UNILAG) — Best for Lagos-Based Clinical Exposure
UNILAG’s College of Medicine hosts the Department of Nursing, closely affiliated with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Surulere—one of the largest and most diverse teaching hospitals in West Africa. UNILAG nursing students benefit from exposure to trauma cases, complex surgical procedures, and tertiary care protocols that are rare in less-urbanised teaching hospital settings. The Lagos private hospital market also provides abundant SIWES (industrial training) placement opportunities. UNILAG nursing graduates are among the most recruited by UK NHS international recruitment programmes.
3. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) — Best in South-West Outside Lagos
OAU’s nursing programme runs through the College of Health Sciences and is affiliated with the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) in Ile-Ife. The OAUTHC is well-staffed and offers students consistent clinical rotation schedules that many more-urban teaching hospitals struggle to maintain. OAU nursing graduates benefit from the university’s strong general academic reputation and from OAUTHC’s active specialist nurse training divisions in critical care, paediatrics, and perioperative nursing.
4. University of Ibadan (UI) — Oldest Nursing Programme in Nigeria
UI’s Department of Nursing is the oldest in Nigeria and benefits from the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan—the first teaching hospital established in Nigeria (1952). UCH’s status as a WHO collaborating centre for nursing and midwifery means UI nursing students train under protocols aligned with international standards. The programme is highly competitive and enrols fewer students than UNILAG or UNN, making the clinical supervision ratio more favourable. UI nursing graduates are exceptionally well-regarded by postgraduate schools in North America.
5–10: Other Strong Options
UNIBEN (University of Benin) offers Nursing through its College of Medical Sciences, affiliated with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), the largest teaching hospital in Edo State. ABU Zaria has a strong nursing programme serving Northern Nigeria through the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH). UNIZIK serves the Anambra/Enugu corridor effectively. LASU is the best state university for nursing given its Lagos Teaching Hospital affiliations. Babcock University is the top Seventh-Day Adventist private university for nursing with strong ethics-based clinical training. Madonna University in Elele/Port Harcourt has produced a significant number of nurses who have successfully migrated to the UK and Ireland under international recruitment schemes.
JAMB Requirements for Nursing Admission in Nigeria
The JAMB subject combination and O’Level requirements for Nursing are uniform across most Nigerian universities.
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
JAMB Subjects | English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and one of: Physics or Mathematics |
Minimum JAMB Score | 180 (minimum); 200+ recommended for competitive institutions |
O’Level Credits Required | At least 5 credits including English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and one of Physics/Agricultural Science/Health Science |
Sittings Allowed | Most universities accept results from a maximum of two sittings |
Age Requirement | Minimum 17 years as at January 1 of admission year (most federal universities) |
Medical Fitness | Candidates must pass a medical examination before final admission; colour-blindness may be disqualifying at some institutions |
Career Prospects for Nursing Graduates in Nigeria and Abroad
The global nursing shortage makes a Nigerian B.Sc. Nursing degree one of the most internationally portable qualifications in the country. Below is a breakdown of career pathways and current market conditions.
Career Path | Location | Approximate Entry Salary | Qualification Required |
|---|---|---|---|
Staff Nurse (Public Hospital) | Nigeria | ₦150,000–₦350,000/month | NMCN Registration |
Private Hospital Nurse | Nigeria | ₦200,000–₦500,000/month | NMCN Registration |
NHS Band 5 Nurse | United Kingdom | £28,000–£32,000/year | NMC Registration (UK) |
Registered Nurse | Canada | CAD 60,000–75,000/year | Provincial Nursing College |
Registered Nurse | Australia | AUD 65,000–80,000/year | AHPRA Registration |
Travel Nurse / Agency Nurse | US / UK | USD 70,000–100,000/year | NCLEX / NMC |
Clinical Nurse Specialist | Nigeria / International | Varies by speciality | Postgraduate Diploma + NMCN |
Frequently Asked Questions — Nursing Universities in Nigeria
Which is the best university to study Nursing in Nigeria?
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is widely regarded as the best university for Nursing in Nigeria based on NMCN licensure examination pass rates, teaching hospital quality, and the strength of its alumni network in both domestic health institutions and international nursing migration pathways. The University of Lagos (UNILAG) is the top choice for candidates who want maximum clinical exposure in a high-volume urban tertiary hospital, while the University of Ibadan (UI) offers the most prestigious academic environment with WHO collaborating centre status at its affiliated UCH.
Can I study Nursing without Physics at O’Level?
Most Nigerian universities do not require Physics as a compulsory O’Level subject for Nursing admission—Biology, Chemistry, and English are the non-negotiable credits. Physics is typically listed as an alternative to Mathematics or Agricultural Science in the fifth credit slot. Verify the specific O’Level requirements for your target university on the institution’s admissions page or through the NUC ACEONDO database before finalising your JAMB form, as requirements can differ between institutions.
How long does it take to study Nursing in Nigeria?
The B.Sc. Nursing (Basic) programme is a 5-year undergraduate course at Nigerian universities. This includes two years of pre-clinical science coursework (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology), followed by three years of integrated nursing theory and clinical practice. After completing the programme, graduates must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and sit the NMCN licensure examination to practice as a Registered Nurse.
Can Nigerian nurses work abroad without additional exams?
Nigerian nurses can work in the UK, Canada, Australia, and the US, but must pass each country’s regulatory exam: the NMC CBT and OSCE for the UK, the NCLEX-RN for the US and Canada, and the AHPRA registration exam for Australia. Additionally, English proficiency tests (IELTS or OET) are required. A B.Sc. Nursing from a NUC-accredited, NMCN-registered Nigerian university is accepted as the educational qualification for entry into these international pathways. The School of Nursing (RN without a degree) route is less straightforward for international migration and typically requires additional academic upgrading.
Is Nursing a good course in Nigeria?
Yes—Nursing is one of the most in-demand and globally portable courses in Nigeria. Domestically, the doctor-to-patient ratio in Nigeria (approximately 1:2,753 as of 2024) means qualified nurses are perpetually in demand across public and private hospitals. Internationally, the UK NHS alone has publicly committed to recruiting thousands of nurses from Nigeria through ethical recruitment frameworks. For candidates willing to write additional registration exams, Nursing offers a realistic, merit-based pathway to legal work and residence in Western countries that few other Nigerian degrees can match.
What JAMB score do I need for Nursing at UNN or UNILAG?
The official JAMB cut-off for Nursing at both UNN and UNILAG is 200, but the competitive score is significantly higher. Based on recent admission cycles, the realistic competitive JAMB score for Nursing at UNN is 230–260, and at UNILAG it is 240–270. The post-UTME score is equally critical—aim for 60% or above to secure a strong aggregate. Nursing is one of the most oversubscribed courses in Nigerian universities; every point in both JAMB and post-UTME matters.
Related Resources on Universities.ng
- UI Post-UTME 2026: University of Ibadan Screening Guide — UI is Nigeria’s top institution for Nursing with WHO-affiliated clinical training. Get the full post-UTME breakdown.
- UNIBEN Post-UTME 2026: University of Benin Screening Guide — UNIBEN ranks 5th for Nursing. If Benin City is your preferred location, use this post-UTME guide.
- Best Universities for Accounting and Finance in Nigeria 2026 — Explore how other competitive faculties compare in our university rankings series.
How to Choose the Right Nursing University for You
The rankings above are based on averages, but your personal circumstances matter as much as the national ranking. Consider these factors when making your final decision.
Teaching Hospital Quality
The teaching hospital attached to the university is where you will spend the majority of your five years. A high-volume, well-staffed teaching hospital with functional ICU, maternity, paediatric, surgical, and medical wards gives you hands-on exposure that textbooks cannot replicate. Before committing to any university, research the accreditation status of its affiliated teaching hospital with both the NMCN and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
Location and Post-Graduation Plans
If you plan to work in Nigeria after graduating, choose a university close to Nigeria’s major employment hubs—Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, or Ibadan. If international migration is your long-term goal, choose a university with a strong track record of graduates passing the NCLEX-RN or NMC exams—UNN, UNILAG, and Babcock have the most documented international migration success among nursing graduates.
Final Verdict: Top Picks for Nursing in Nigeria 2026
For candidates targeting the best overall Nursing education in Nigeria, UNN Nsukka is the top pick. For maximum clinical diversity and Lagos-based employment access, choose UNILAG. For the most internationally respected academic environment, opt for UI Ibadan. For private university candidates who value structured campus life and strong international exam preparation, Babcock University offers the best return on its higher fees.
Key action step: Verify that your target university’s Nursing programme is currently listed on the NMCN approved schools register before submitting your JAMB form. Only graduates of NMCN-approved programmes can sit the professional licensure examination. Without that exam, you cannot practice legally in Nigeria—or migrate internationally under any nursing pathway. Check the NMCN website at nmcn.gov.ng for the current approved institutions list.
