College of Nursing in Nigeria Without JAMB 2026:- Many candidates who want to become nurses are asking: Are there colleges of nursing in Nigeria without JAMB in 2026? The simple answer is yes, some nursing programmes may still admit candidates through internal entrance examinations and interviews instead of JAMB. However, not every nursing route is available without JAMB, so candidates must understand the difference before buying any admission form.
In Nigeria, nursing admission can be confusing because there are different routes. Some candidates apply for Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Community Nursing, or Post-Basic Nursing, while others apply for ND/HND Nursing or B.NSc Nursing in universities. These routes do not always have the same admission requirements.
Can You Study Nursing in Nigeria Without JAMB in 2026?
Yes, it is possible to study nursing in Nigeria without JAMB in some colleges of nursing, especially where the school offers Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Community Nursing, Community Midwifery or some Post-Basic programmes through its own entrance examination.
However, candidates should note that ND/HND Nursing and university Nursing Science usually require JAMB. For the 2026/2027 admission cycle, JAMB’s bulletin reported the national minimum tolerable score for universities and colleges of nursing as 150, while institutions may still set higher marks for their programmes.
This means you must first know the exact nursing programme you are applying for. A school may offer one programme that requires JAMB and another programme that does not require JAMB.
Nursing Programmes That May Not Require JAMB
Some nursing programmes are usually handled directly by the college through application forms, entrance exams and interviews. These may include:
- Basic Nursing
- Basic Midwifery
- Community Nursing
- Community Midwifery
- Post-Basic Nursing
- Post-Basic Midwifery
- Psychiatric Nursing
- Refresher Nursing or Midwifery programmes
For example, Lily College of Nursing Sciences states that only ND Nursing is through JAMB for now, while Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Community Nursing, Community Midwifery, Post-Basic Nursing and Post-Basic Midwifery are handled by the college through sale of forms, entrance examination and interview.
Nursing Programmes That Usually Require JAMB
Candidates should not assume that every nursing admission is without JAMB. The following nursing routes usually require JAMB:
- ND/HND Nursing in colleges of nursing sciences
- B.NSc Nursing Science in universities
- Nursing programmes processed through JAMB CAPS
- Programmes where the school specifically asks for JAMB result
If your goal is to earn an ND/HND Nursing qualification or a university Nursing Science degree, you should prepare for JAMB. Some colleges of nursing have moved to the ND/HND nursing structure, and such admission may be processed through JAMB.
List of Colleges of Nursing in Nigeria That May Admit Without JAMB in 2026
Below are examples of nursing institutions that have been reported to offer non-JAMB admission routes for some nursing or midwifery programmes. Candidates must confirm the exact programme and current requirements from the school before applying.
| College/School | Location | Possible Non-JAMB Route |
|---|---|---|
| Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Eleyele | Oyo State | Basic Midwifery/college entrance route |
| Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences | Jalingo, Taraba State | Basic Nursing route |
| Mercy College of Nursing Sciences | Ido-Osun, Osun State | College entrance route |
| Aliko Dangote College of Nursing Sciences | Bauchi/Kano listing varies by source | General Nursing/basic route |
| Emirate College of Health Sciences and Technology | Kano State | College entrance route |
| Dansharif College of Nursing Sciences | Kano State | Private college entrance route |
| School of Psychiatric Nursing, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba | Lagos State | Psychiatric/Post-Basic route |
| Rivers State School of Nursing | Port Harcourt, Rivers State | School entrance route |
| College of Nursing Sciences, St. Gerard’s Catholic Hospital | Kaduna State | School entrance route |
A 2026 education report listed several nursing schools in Nigeria that may admit without JAMB, including Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Taraba College of Nursing, Mercy College of Nursing, Aliko Dangote College of Nursing Sciences, Emirate College of Health Sciences and Technology, Dansharif College of Nursing Sciences, School of Psychiatric Nursing Yaba, Rivers State School of Nursing and St. Gerard’s Catholic Hospital College of Nursing Sciences.
General Requirements for Nursing Schools Without JAMB
Even if a nursing school does not require JAMB, candidates must still meet the academic requirements. The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria lists the approved entry requirement for Basic and Post-Basic programmes as five O’Level credit passes in Mathematics, English Language, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, obtained in not more than two sittings from WAEC, NECO or NABTEB.
This means you should have credit passes in:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
Most colleges also conduct entrance examinations and oral interviews. Some may also ask for birth certificate, certificate of origin, passport photographs, application payment receipt and medical fitness documents.
Does “Without JAMB” Mean Automatic Admission?
No. Admission without JAMB does not mean automatic admission. It only means the school may not use UTME as the main entry requirement for that particular programme. Candidates will still need to pass the college’s entrance examination and interview.
In many cases, the entrance examination covers English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and general knowledge. Because nursing is a competitive course, candidates should prepare seriously even when JAMB is not required.
Is Nursing Without JAMB a Degree Programme?
In most cases, nursing admission without JAMB is not a university degree programme. It may lead to professional qualifications such as Registered Nurse, Registered Midwife or other nursing-related certificates, depending on the programme and school approval.
If you want a university degree such as B.NSc Nursing Science, you should apply through JAMB and meet the university’s admission requirements. If you want ND/HND Nursing, you should also expect JAMB to be part of the process in many schools.
How to Apply for College of Nursing Without JAMB in 2026
To apply for a nursing school without JAMB, follow these steps:
- Choose the college of nursing you want to apply to.
- Confirm whether the programme is Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Community Nursing, Post-Basic Nursing or ND/HND Nursing.
- Check if the specific programme requires JAMB.
- Confirm that the school is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
- Buy the admission form only from the official school portal or school office.
- Prepare for the entrance examination and interview.
- Keep checking the school portal or notice board for exam date and admission list.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria states that it approves schools of nursing, midwifery, post-basic nursing and departments of nursing, including their accreditation status and admission quota. Candidates should therefore confirm that any school they choose is approved before making payment.
How Much Is College of Nursing Form Without JAMB?
The application fee depends on the school. Some colleges may sell forms for around ₦10,000 to ₦25,000, while private colleges may charge more. School fees also differ depending on whether the college is federal, state-owned, mission-owned or private.
Do not pay into personal accounts. Always use the school’s official portal, official bank account or authorised payment channel. Many fake admission agents use the phrase “nursing without JAMB” to scam candidates.
Important Warning Before You Apply
Before applying to any nursing school in Nigeria without JAMB, confirm these things:
- Is the school approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria?
- Is the programme Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Community Nursing, Post-Basic Nursing or ND/HND Nursing?
- Does the programme require JAMB for 2026?
- Is the admission form being sold on the official school portal?
- What is the entrance examination date?
- What qualification will you receive after completing the programme?
If the school cannot clearly answer these questions, be careful.
Conclusion
Yes, there are colleges of nursing in Nigeria without JAMB in 2026, especially for some Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Community Nursing and Post-Basic programmes. However, ND/HND Nursing and university Nursing Science usually require JAMB, and candidates should not confuse the different routes.
To qualify for most nursing programmes, candidates need five O’Level credits in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. They must also pass the school’s entrance examination and interview.
The best advice is to confirm directly from the school before buying any form. Nursing admission requirements can change, and each college may have its own policy for the 2026 admission session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I study nursing in Nigeria without JAMB in 2026?
Yes, some colleges of nursing may admit candidates without JAMB for Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Community Nursing or Post-Basic programmes.
Does ND/HND Nursing require JAMB?
Yes, ND/HND Nursing usually requires JAMB because it is processed as a formal tertiary admission route.
What subjects do I need for nursing without JAMB?
You need five O’Level credits in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Is nursing without JAMB approved?
It can be approved if the school and programme are recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. Always confirm the school’s accreditation status before applying.
Can I use awaiting result for nursing school?
Some schools may allow awaiting result during application, but you must provide complete O’Level results before final admission or indexing. Confirm from the school before applying.
Is JAMB compulsory for all nursing schools in Nigeria?
No. JAMB is not compulsory for every nursing route, but it is required for ND/HND Nursing, university Nursing Science and any school that specifically requests it.
