Nursing is a rewarding course to study in Nigeria, offering numerous job opportunities both within and outside the country, as well as higher salaries compared to most jobs in Nigeria.
Nursing has become quite a competitive course in universities across the Federation, making it appear as though it is an unattainable and unaffordable course that can’t be studied by most Nigerian students.
While nursing has positioned itself as the second most desired course to study in Nigeria, the question depends on the university that is offering this course and the best one among them.
There are over 50 universities that offer nursing in Nigeria, and the question lies in which one of them is best for you to obtain the best training needed for you to succeed in nursing, and most importantly, avoid the issue of accreditation.
The best universities offering nursing in Nigeria will be based on factors like accreditation status, facilities, and reviews from past alumni who are doing well in the nursing field across the world.
TRENDING ARTICLES
The List of Approved School of Nursing in Lagos (2026)
10 Best Private University in Nigeria 2025 Rankings
7 Best Courses to study in Nigeria as a science student
7 Best Universities Offering Nursing in Nigeria.
1. University of Ibadan (UI) – Ibadan, Oyo State.
The University of Ibadan takes its first place as the best university to study nursing in Nigeria. The University of Ibadan is a federal university institution that is known to have excelled in offering top-tier courses in Nigeria, and it is reputable for being known as the oldest university in Nigeria.
Nursing is offered at the University of Ibadan in the Faculty of Nursing Science, College of Medicine. The University of Ibadan is classified as the first institution to offer a degree in nursing in Nigeria, which began in the year 1965 and was fully turned into a faculty in 2023.
The University of Ibadan has an adequate infrastructure and facilities to aid the study of nursing in the institution and also a reputable testimonial from its past alumni who are doing well in the nursing field across the globe.
2. University of Nigeria (UNN) – Nsukka, Enugu State.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, tops the second list of the best universities to study nursing in Nigeria.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is considered one of the universities with the most campuses, with its campus spread across three locations.
The institution offers nursing under its department of nursing sciences in the institution. Nursing as a course was introduced to the university in the 1982/1983 academic session and was put forward as the Department of Nursing Science, in which it got its first set of students into the department in 1983.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is one of the few universities in Nigeria that offers nursing science as a postgraduate course.
With adequate facilities and a good track record of its alumni who are successful in the field, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is an institution to study nursing.
3. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) – Ile‑Ife, Osun State.
Obafemi Awolowo University, popularly known as Great Ife, is a public federal university situated in the old city of Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Obafemi Awolowo University is considered one of the top-tier universities to study nursing in Nigeria. OAU was established in 1961, which makes it among the oldest higher learning institutions in Nigeria.
OAU offers a nursing degree in the institution under the Faculty of Basic Medical Science, Department of Nursing Science.
Nursing is a five-year duration course in the institution, and the university offers both physical and online classes, which are offered by other universities across Nigeria.
The institution mandates its students to go for training in their third and fourth years in the institution in order to train them for the future.
4. University of Lagos (UNILAG) – Lagos State.
The University of Lagos, Iowa, is a public federal institution that is situated in Lagos and offers nursing as part of its degree programme in the institution.
UNILAG is regarded as one of the best universities across Nigeria and as one of the best institutions to study any course in Nigeria, and that extends to nursing as well.
The institution offers nursing as a course in the institution under the department of nursing science. Periodic clinical postings are designed in the school to provide the students with the best experience in nursing before even starting the course professionally.
The university got approval to offer nursing science as a course in 2009 while also admitting the first set of students that same year in the institution.
The university is known for its best facilities and infrastructure, plus its quality lecturers who are well-versed in knowledge.
5. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) – Ilorin, Kwara State.
The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) is a public federal university situated in Ilorin and is classified as one of the universities with the largest landmass in Nigeria. The University of Ilorin is known as the most chosen university among JAMB candidates in Nigeria, surpassing all other universities in Nigeria.
UNILORIN is known for its quality education and its reputation for health courses across the federation, and also for a stable academic calendar.
Nursing is offered under the department of nursing science in the institution, and the institution was established in 2010 and also commenced academic sessions that same year.
6. Babcock University
Babcock University is a private university which is situated in Ilishan Remo, Ogun State, which is located in the southwestern region of the nation. Babcock is classified as a private university in Nigeria because.
The institution was established in 1999 and has risen to be one of the best private universities in Nigeria, among students in Nigeria, and also the first private university established in Nigeria.
Known for its goal of knowledge, truth, and service, it is considered one of the best universities to study nursing in Nigeria and has the best faculty to study any medicine-related courses across Nigeria.
Babcock offers a degree in nursing and has sought to integrate Christian values in preparing nursing and midwifery professionals in Nigeria.
The university offers a direct entry mode of admission, which lasts for the four-year duration of the programme.
7. Afe Babalola University
Afe Babalola University is a private institution that is situated in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. It was founded in 2009 by the prominent Nigerian lawyer Afe Afe Babalola. Afe Babalola is known for its reputation in all courses offered in the institution and is also known for its various qualities.
Afe Babalola offers nursing under its College of Medicine and Health Science. Afe Babalola has high academic standards and is known for its discipline, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and also for its fully residential campus with a modern hostel for its students.
Conclusion
We cannot absolutely conclude that the list we listed ahead is the full list of the best universities that offer nursing in Nigeria; there are other universities, and we don’t want you to limit the universities to this list.
Nursing is a competitive course and, coupled with the competitive university that we listed above, will make admission for students nearly impossible, but with the right combination and a good O-level result, you will surely ace it.
Adepoju Olamilekan is a blogger and student of economics at Adekunle Ajasin who has written for many educational blog across the country. His passion and love for blog and creating as found him always writing to provide solutions to all Nigeria Students