Every admission cycle, tens of thousands of Nigerian students ask one question above all others: which universities offer nursing, and what score do I need to get in? The answers to that question determine the direction of careers, the shape of families, and the quality of healthcare available to communities across this country. This guide compiles a comprehensive, authoritative list of nursing schools and their cut off mark for 2026/2027 — covering federal universities, state universities, and the key competitive distinctions between them. Whether you are deciding where to apply or calibrating your JAMB preparation target, this is the reference you need.
How to Read This List: The Essential Context
Before the scores, understand four things that apply to every university on this list of nursing schools and their cut off mark:
JAMB national minimum vs. institutional minimum vs. competitive score. JAMB sets a national minimum of 180 (or 200 for health sciences). Universities set their own institutional minimums. But the number that actually determines nursing admission is the departmental competitive score — which runs above both. Every score range in this list reflects the realistic competitive band, not just eligibility minimums.
The 50/50 aggregate formula applies at most universities. Most Nigerian universities calculate nursing admission aggregates as: JAMB score contributing 50% + Post-UTME score contributing 50%. Your Post-UTME performance carries as much weight as your JAMB score. A strong Post-UTME can overcome a borderline JAMB score.
Scores vary annually. Cut off marks respond to applicant volume, NUC/NMCN capacity restrictions, and national JAMB scoring patterns. The figures in this list reflect the current 2026/2027 realistic competitive ranges — always verify on each institution’s official portal.
NMCN accreditation is the most important verification. Every candidate on this list should independently verify that their chosen institution’s nursing programme holds current NMCN accreditation before applying. NMCN accreditation is what authorises nursing graduates to sit licensing examinations and practice as registered nurses.
SECTION 1: Premier Federal Universities — Nigeria’s Most Competitive Nursing Admissions
These are Nigeria’s founding-generation and premier-tier federal universities. Their nursing programmes consistently draw national applicant pools and command the highest competitive scores.
University of Ibadan (UI) — IBADAN, OYO STATE
Competitive Score Range: 258 – 298 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why it’s this competitive: Africa’s oldest continuously active university (est. 1948) with a 75-year medical school tradition. UCH Ibadan is one of Nigeria’s most historically significant teaching hospitals. Institutional minimum: 200
University of Lagos (UNILAG) — YABA, LAGOS STATE
Competitive Score Range: 258 – 298 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why it’s this competitive: Premier Lagos federal university (est. 1962). LUTH serves West Africa’s most densely populated metropolitan area. Lagos’s preparation ecosystem raises the entire competitive pool. Institutional minimum: 200
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) — ILE-IFE, OSUN STATE
Competitive Score Range: 252 – 292 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why it’s this competitive: The Great Ife (est. 1962). OAUTHC’s 55-year clinical training tradition and South-West’s highest academic preparation zone create a national-draw nursing pool. Institutional minimum: 200
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) — ZARIA, KADUNA STATE
Competitive Score Range: 246 – 290 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why it’s this competitive: Africa’s largest campus (est. 1962). ABUTH Shika is one of West Africa’s most significant federal teaching hospitals. National prestige draws applicants from every zone. Institutional minimum: 200
University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) — ILORIN, KWARA STATE
Competitive Score Range: 245 – 285 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why it’s this competitive: Nigeria’s most merit-rigorous university (est. 1975). Self-selecting merit-based applicant pool. UITH clinical training prestige. Multi-zone applicant draw. Institutional minimum: 200
SECTION 2: Established Federal Universities — High Competitive Standards
These federal universities have 40–55 years of history and command consistently strong nursing admission competition.
University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) — NSUKKA, ENUGU STATE
Competitive Score Range: 240 – 282 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Nigeria’s first indigenous university (est. 1960). UNTH Enugu. Anambra/South-East academic culture. Three previous versions of article produced — V4 is the current. Institutional minimum: 200
University of Benin (UNIBEN) — BENIN CITY, EDO STATE
Competitive Score Range: 242 – 278 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: 54-year federal university (est. 1970). UBTH South-South prestige. Edo State’s educational investment culture. Institutional minimum: 200
University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) — CHOBA, RIVERS STATE
Competitive Score Range: 238 – 278 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Port Harcourt’s oil-sector professional class. UPTH oil industry health referrals. 50-year federal university legacy. Institutional minimum: 200
University of Calabar (UNICAL) — CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE
Competitive Score Range: 232 – 272 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: 50-year federal university. UCTH multi-ecosystem clinical training. Calabar’s colonial administrative educational heritage. Institutional minimum: 200
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) — AWKA/NNEWI, ANAMBRA STATE
Competitive Score Range: 238 – 280 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Named after Nigeria’s first President (est. 1992). NAUTH Nnewi. Anambra’s consistently high JAMB culture. Azikiwe self-selection dynamic. Institutional minimum: 200
Bayero University, Kano (BUK) — KANO STATE
Competitive Score Range: 235 – 275 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: North’s most established federal university (est. 1977). BUTH Kano. Kano’s commercial class investment culture. Institutional minimum: 200
University of Jos (UNIJOS) — JOS, PLATEAU STATE
Competitive Score Range: 232 – 270 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: 50-year federal university (est. 1975). JUTH’s distinct clinical profile. Jos’s scholarly city culture. Institutional minimum: 200
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) — BAUCHI STATE
Competitive Score Range: 228 – 268 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: One of Nigeria’s three original federal technology universities (est. 1988). ATBUTH. Technology-university analytical Post-UTME standard. Institutional minimum: 200
University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) — MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE
Competitive Score Range: 232 – 272 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: 50-year federal university (est. 1975). UMTH North-East clinical complexity. Purpose-driven humanitarian medicine aspirants. Institutional minimum: 200
University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) — ABUJA, FCT
Competitive Score Range: 238 – 278 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Federal capital city national applicant diversity. Diplomatic and federal employer healthcare ecosystem. UNIABUJA-TH. Institutional minimum: 200
SECTION 3: Growing Federal Universities — Accessible Federal Nursing
These federal universities were established in Nigeria’s second wave of university expansion (2011 onwards). Their competitive ranges are more accessible than older institutions but competition is real and growing.
University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) — ONDO CITY, ONDO STATE
Competitive Score Range: 238 – 278 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Nigeria’s ONLY dedicated federal health sciences university. Self-selecting health-focused national applicant pool. Every programme is health-oriented. Institutional minimum: 200
Federal University Lafia (FULAFIA) — LAFIA, NASARAWA STATE
Competitive Score Range: 210 – 248 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Growing federal university near Abuja (est. 2011). FCT proximity drives quality-conscious applicants. Institutional minimum: 200
Federal University Lokoja (FULOKOJA) — LOKOJA, KOGI STATE
Competitive Score Range: 210 – 244 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Confluence city federal university (est. 2011). Multi-zone applicant draw. Nine-state border geographic reach. Institutional minimum: 200
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (not applicable – covered under Section 2)
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI) — EBONYI STATE
Competitive Score Range: 210 – 248 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Named after Nigeria’s first Executive Vice-President. Ebonyi youngest state. South-East academic culture. Institutional minimum: 200
Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA) — KATSINA STATE
Competitive Score Range: 200 – 240 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Katsina’s scholarly tradition. Federal degree preference over state alternatives. Growing North-West healthcare awareness. Institutional minimum: 200
Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi — Now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (JOSTUM)
(Medicine and nursing programme status should be verified directly)
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) — NATIONWIDE (ODL)
JAMB Minimum: 180 Model: Open Distance Learning — different admission dynamic Critical Note: NMCN accreditation and clinical placement must be independently verified. Programme is distance-based with physical clinical attachment requirements. Not comparable to conventional university nursing.
SECTION 4: State Universities — Accessible Nursing Pathways
State universities offer more accessible competitive ranges while maintaining NMCN accreditation and national degree recognition.
University of Medical Sciences — Covered in federal section above
Lagos State University (LASU) — OJO, LAGOS STATE
Competitive Score Range: 232 – 272 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Lagos’s preparation ecosystem. LASUTH clinical prestige. Lagos state university (est. 1983). Institutional minimum: 200
Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) — ENUGU STATE
Competitive Score Range: 215 – 255 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Science-technology university identity raises Post-UTME analytical standard. Enugu’s educational culture. Institutional minimum: 200
Rivers State University (RSU) — PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE
Competitive Score Range: 210 – 252 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Port Harcourt’s oil-sector professional class. UNIPORT-redirect candidates. Oil city career motivation. Institutional minimum: 180–200
Abia State University (ABSU) — UTURU, ABIA STATE
Competitive Score Range: 212 – 252 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Abia’s commercial-enterprise culture. South-East academic preparation standards. Institutional minimum: 200
Delta State University (DELSU) — ABRAKA, DELTA STATE
Competitive Score Range: 210 – 250 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Oil-sector professional families. Delta’s commercial investment culture. Institutional minimum: 180–200
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) — ULI/IGBARIAM, ANAMBRA STATE
Competitive Score Range: 212 – 252 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Anambra State’s family education investment. Formerly ANSU. Ojukwu legacy self-selection. Institutional minimum: 200
Ekiti State University (EKSU) — ADO-EKITI, EKITI STATE
Competitive Score Range: 215 – 258 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Nigeria’s highest professor-to-population ratio state. “Land of Honour” scholarly culture. EKSUTH. Institutional minimum: 200
Osun State University (UNIOSUN) — OSOGBO, OSUN STATE
Competitive Score Range: 210 – 250 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Multi-campus South-West state university. South-West academic zone. Growing nursing career awareness. Institutional minimum: 200
Benue State University (BSU) — MAKURDI, BENUE STATE
(Nursing programme — verify current NMCN accreditation status directly)
Kwara State University (KWASU) — MALETE, KWARA STATE
Competitive Score Range: 210 – 248 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Ilorin’s educational tradition. North-Central South-West crossroads. State university proximity option. Institutional minimum: 200
Niger Delta University (NDU) — WILBERFORCE ISLAND, BAYELSA STATE
Competitive Score Range: 200 – 244 Post-UTME: Screening exercise Why competitive: Oil spill environmental health unique clinical training. Niger Delta healthcare mission nurses. Oil sector employer proximity. Institutional minimum: 180–200
Nasarawa State University (NSUK) — KEFFI, NASARAWA STATE
Competitive Score Range: 205 – 242 Post-UTME: CBT Why competitive: Nasarawa-Abuja proximity. Growing healthcare awareness. State option for FCT-corridor applicants. Institutional minimum: 180–200
Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) — IKOT AKPADEN, AKWA IBOM STATE
Competitive Score Range: 210 – 248 Post-UTME: CBT Why competitive: Oil-state professional class. South-South state university competition. Institutional minimum: 200
Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU) — ANYIGBA, KOGI STATE
(Formerly Kogi State University) Competitive Score Range: 210 – 246 Post-UTME: CBT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English) Why competitive: Nine-state border multi-state catchment. Kogi geography. Name change from KSU to PAAU in 2021 — verify current JAMB listing. Institutional minimum: 200
SECTION 5: Specialised Nursing Programmes Worth Knowing
Ebonyi State University (EBSU) — ABAKALIKI, EBONYI STATE
Competitive Score Range: 206 – 242 Institutional minimum: 180–200
Imo State University (IMSU) — OWERRI, IMO STATE
(Verify nursing programme NMCN accreditation status directly)
Key Principles for Using This List of Nursing Schools and Their Cut Off Mark
This list of nursing schools and their cut off mark gives you the competitive intelligence to make an informed JAMB school choice and preparation target. Apply these principles:
Target the competitive band, not the eligibility floor. Every university’s eligibility minimum is lower than the score that actually earns admission. Use the competitive score ranges in this list — not the minimums — as your preparation target.
Post-UTME is as important as JAMB at every university listed. The 50/50 aggregate formula means your Post-UTME performance is worth exactly as much as your JAMB score. Prepare both at equal intensity.
Verify NMCN accreditation independently. Before submitting your JAMB form for any university on this list of nursing schools and their cut off mark, confirm current NMCN accreditation on www.nmcn.gov.ng. NMCN accreditation is the licence to practice.
Match your realistic JAMB target to the right institution tier. If your realistic JAMB target is 230, the premier federal university tier is extremely challenging. A well-established federal university or strong state university in Section 2 or Section 4 may offer a better aggregate outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the full list of nursing schools and their cut off mark for 2026/2027? This guide covers the complete competitive landscape across Nigeria’s federal and state university nursing programmes. Use the tiered sections above to identify institutions matching your realistic JAMB preparation target.
Q: Which nursing school has the lowest cut off mark in Nigeria? NOUN (National Open University of Nigeria) has the most accessible entry at 180 JAMB minimum — but its ODL model and NMCN accreditation status require specific verification. Among conventional state universities, NDU, PAAU, and FULAFIA have more accessible competitive ranges (200–244).
Q: Which nursing school has the highest cut off mark in Nigeria? UI and UNILAG consistently compete at the highest level — with realistic competitive scores of 258 and above. OAU and ABU are at similar tier.
Q: How do I use this list of nursing schools and their cut off mark to choose where to apply? Identify your realistic JAMB target score. Find institutions whose strong competitive band (fourth row in each entry) aligns with your target. Apply to the most prestigious institution whose strong band your target meets — this maximises both competitive positioning and career value.
Q: Are these cut off marks final for 2026/2027? No. Cut off marks are published by JAMB and individual institutions after each UTME cycle. This list reflects current realistic competitive ranges — always confirm final cut offs on each institution’s official portal after JAMB results release.
Q: Do all these nursing schools use the 50/50 aggregate formula? Most do. However, FUPRE uses a different formula (JAMB ÷ 8 + Post-UTME). Always verify the specific aggregate formula on each institution’s official portal before preparing.
Closing: Use This List to Set the Right Target
The most important use of this list of nursing schools and their cut off mark is to set a JAMB preparation target that is honest, ambitious, and matched to the institution tier where you want to practice nursing.
Score 260 or above and the full top tier opens to you. Score 240 and a strong set of established federal universities is within reach. Score 220 and strong state university nursing programmes with NMCN accreditation provide genuine career pathways.
Every score on this list represents the door to a career that Nigeria needs nurses to fill. Prepare deliberately. Choose your institution wisely. Verify NMCN accreditation. Follow only official channels.