One of the first questions on the lips of every newly admitted Nursing Science student at the University of Ilorin is: how much do I pay? Understanding the UNILORIN Nursing school fees for freshers and returning students gives you the financial clarity you need before resumption. Whether you are a parent planning ahead or a new student confirming your budget, having the correct figures saves you from last-minute surprises.
The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) is consistently rated one of the most affordable federal universities in Nigeria, and its Nursing Science programme is no exception. In this guide, you get a complete breakdown of all charges — tuition, acceptance fee, medical levy, ICT fee, library fee, and more — so that neither freshers nor returning students are caught off guard.
About UNILORIN Nursing Science Programme
UNILORIN’s Nursing Science programme sits within the Faculty of Clinical Sciences under the College of Health Sciences. The programme runs for five academic years and is fully accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and the National Universities Commission (NUC). Graduates earn a Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) degree and are eligible to register with NMCN as professional nurses.
The programme covers clinical rotations, community health nursing, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and midwifery. Students train at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), one of the best-equipped teaching hospitals in West Africa. Because of the clinical and laboratory intensity of the course, the fees for Nursing Science are slightly higher than non-science faculties — a factor you need to account for in your budget.
UNILORIN Nursing School Fees for Freshers and Returning Students
Below is a detailed breakdown of the UNILORIN Nursing school fees for freshers and returning students for the 2026/2027 academic session, based on the latest approved schedule:
| Fee Component | Freshers (100 Level) | Returning Students |
| Acceptance Fee (One-time) | ₦25,000 | N/A |
| Tuition Fee (Nursing Science) | ₦50,000 | ₦33,000 |
| Medical/Health Service Fee | ₦5,000 | ₦5,000 |
| ICT/Computer Fee | ₦5,000 | ₦5,000 |
| Library Fee | ₦3,000 | ₦3,000 |
| Sports/Student Union Fee | ₦5,000 | ₦5,000 |
| Examination Fee | ₦10,000 | ₦10,000 |
| Caution/Development Fee | ₦5,000 | N/A |
| ESTIMATED TOTAL | ≈ ₦108,000 | ≈ ₦61,000 |
Note: These figures are estimates based on the approved 2025/2026 fee structure. The 2026/2027 official charges are confirmed at the start of each academic session via the UNILORIN student portal. Always verify directly at portal.unilorin.edu.ng before making any payment.
Breaking Down the Fresher’s Fee for Nursing Science
Freshers in Nursing Science at UNILORIN carry a larger financial obligation in their first year because of one-time startup charges that returning students no longer pay. Here is what each component covers:
- Acceptance Fee (₦25,000): This is a non-refundable one-time charge. Every newly admitted student pays it to confirm their admission slot. It must be paid before school fees registration begins.
- Tuition Fee (₦50,000): This is the core academic charge for Nursing Science freshers. It is higher than other non-clinical faculties due to lab usage, clinical attachments, and simulation facilities.
- Medical Fee (₦5,000): Covers access to the University Health Centre for routine medical care throughout the session.
- ICT Fee (₦5,000): Grants access to the university’s computer labs, internet facilities, and e-learning portal resources.
- Library Fee (₦3,000): Covers access to the UNILORIN main library, digital databases, and faculty resource centres.
- Sports/Student Union Fee (₦5,000): Contributes to sports facilities, student union activities, and campus social welfare programmes.
- Examination Fee (₦10,000): Covers registration for all semester examinations including practical and clinical assessments.
- Caution/Development Fee (₦5,000): A one-time deposit paid by freshers; used for campus infrastructure maintenance and student welfare.
Returning Students Fee Structure for Nursing Science
Returning Nursing Science students enjoy a significantly reduced fee burden from 200 Level onwards. They are exempted from the acceptance fee and the caution/development fee, both of which are exclusive to freshers. The UNILORIN Nursing school fees for freshers and returning students differ primarily because of these one-time startup costs that only new students bear.
For returning students, the tuition component drops to ₦33,000 per session, while other compulsory charges — medical, ICT, library, sports, and examination fees — remain the same across all levels. This means a returning Nursing Science student budgets approximately ₦61,000 per session, compared to the ₦108,000 a fresher pays in their first year.
Year-by-Year Fee Estimate for Nursing Science Students
This table gives a projection of total fee expenses across the five-year BNSc programme:
| Level | Student Status | Est. Fees Per Session | Key Difference |
| 100L | Fresher | ≈ ₦108,000 | Includes acceptance + caution fees |
| 200L | Returning | ≈ ₦61,000 | Tuition drops to ₦33,000 |
| 300L | Returning | ≈ ₦61,000 | Same as 200L structure |
| 400L | Returning | ≈ ₦61,000 | Check for any clinical levy |
| 500L | Returning | ≈ ₦61,000 | Final year; confirm portal charges |
How to Pay UNILORIN Nursing School Fees
The payment process for school fees at UNILORIN is fully digital. No cash payment at any bank or office is required outside the official portal. Here are the steps to pay:
- Step 1: Visit the official UNILORIN student portal at portal.unilorin.edu.ng
- Step 2: Log in using your JAMB Registration Number (freshers) or Matriculation Number (returning students) and your password
- Step 3: Navigate to the School Fees section on your dashboard
- Step 4: Select your current academic session and programme — Nursing Science
- Step 5: Generate your personalised payment invoice
- Step 6: Pay online via Remita using a debit card, or proceed to any Remita-enabled bank branch with your invoice reference number
- Step 7: After payment, return to the portal to confirm your payment status and print your receipt
Important: Never pay through a third-party agent or via any unofficial platform. UNILORIN management explicitly warns against payment outside the official portal.
Accommodation Fees for Nursing Students at UNILORIN
Beyond the UNILORIN Nursing school fees for freshers and returning students, accommodation is a separate budget item. UNILORIN offers on-campus hostel facilities for students in the College of Health Sciences. Hostel fees vary depending on the hostel type and room allocation. Below is an estimate of the accommodation costs:
| Accommodation Type | Estimated Fee Per Session |
| On-campus hostel (shared room) | ₦25,000 – ₦40,000 |
| On-campus hostel (Health Sciences campus) | ₦30,000 – ₦50,000 |
| Off-campus private hostel (estimate) | ₦60,000 – ₦150,000/year |
Hostel allocation at UNILORIN is competitive and operates on a first-come, first-served basis after fee payment. Freshers are advised to apply for accommodation as soon as their school fees are confirmed.
UNILORIN Nursing Fees Compared to Other Health Courses
To put the UNILORIN Nursing school fees for freshers and returning students in perspective, here is how it compares to fees for other health programmes within UNILORIN:
| Programme | Fresher Tuition (approx.) | Returning Student Tuition |
| Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) | ₦50,000+ | ₦43,000+ |
| Nursing Science (BNSc) | ₦50,000 | ₦33,000 |
| Pharmacy (B.Pharm) | ₦50,000 | ₦43,000 |
| Anatomy / Physiology (B.Sc) | ₦25,400 | ₦25,400 |
| Education (non-science) | ₦25,000 | ₦27,000 |
Tips for Managing Your School Fees as a Nursing Student
Knowing the figures is only half the battle. Here are practical strategies for staying financially on track throughout your nursing training:
- Apply early for NELFUND: The Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) offers interest-free student loans that cover tuition and living expenses. Applications open after admission, so register promptly
- Budget for five sessions: The BNSc programme runs for five years. Multiply your annual fees by five when planning long-term finances to avoid shocks in later levels
- Pay before the deadline: Late fee payment at UNILORIN attracts penalty charges. Set a reminder at least two weeks before each session’s registration window opens
- Keep all payment receipts: Both soft copies and printed receipts serve as proof of payment and are required during course registration and examination clearance
- Explore scholarships: UNILORIN coordinates several state and federal scholarship programmes. Visit the bursary unit each session to check eligibility for health sciences bursaries
- Off-campus budgeting: If you live off campus, factor in rent, feeding, and transportation. The total cost of living in Ilorin for a nursing student ranges from ₦150,000 to ₦300,000 per session depending on lifestyle
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the total UNILORIN Nursing school fees for freshers in 2026/2027?
The estimated total for a Nursing Science fresher is approximately ₦108,000 per session. This includes tuition, acceptance fee, ICT, library, medical, sports, examination, and caution fees. The UNILORIN Nursing school fees for freshers and returning students differ mainly because acceptance and caution fees are exclusive to first-year students.
How much do returning Nursing students pay at UNILORIN?
Returning Nursing Science students pay approximately ₦61,000 per session. The tuition component reduces to ₦33,000, and one-time charges like acceptance fee and caution fee no longer apply from 200 Level onward.
Is the acceptance fee included in the school fees total?
No. The acceptance fee of ₦25,000 is a separate one-time charge paid before school fees registration. It is not part of the tuition invoice and must be settled first to unlock access to the school fees payment page on the portal.
Can I pay UNILORIN school fees in installments?
UNILORIN currently requires full payment of school fees before course registration commences. There is no officially approved installment plan from the university. However, students who qualify for the NELFUND loan may have their fees processed through that scheme.
Why do Nursing students pay more than Arts students?
Nursing Science is a clinical and laboratory-intensive programme. Students use simulation labs, anatomy laboratories, and clinical training facilities at UITH. These operational costs are reflected in the higher tuition compared to non-science disciplines. This is a standard pattern across Nigerian federal universities where the UNILORIN Nursing school fees for freshers and returning students follow health sciences pricing tiers.
Are school fees the same for Direct Entry Nursing students?
Direct Entry students enter the Nursing Science programme at 200 Level, meaning they pay the returning student tuition rate of ₦33,000 from their first year of enrollment. They are, however, still required to pay the acceptance fee of ₦25,000 as first-time UNILORIN students.
When is the school fees payment deadline each session?
UNILORIN announces its school fees payment deadline at the start of each academic session, typically two to four weeks before registration closes. Students are advised to check the official UNILORIN portal and notice boards regularly. Late payment attracts additional charges and may restrict course registration.
Conclusion
Planning your finances around the UNILORIN Nursing school fees for freshers and returning students is one of the smartest things you can do before resuming your nursing training. Freshers should budget approximately ₦108,000 for their first session, while returning students plan for around ₦61,000 per session from 200 Level to 500 Level.
UNILORIN remains one of the most affordable federal universities in Nigeria for clinical education. Combined with its stable academic calendar, fully accredited Nursing Science programme, and training at UITH, the value delivered far outweighs the cost. Stay updated on any fee revisions through the official portal, pay early, and keep every receipt safe throughout your programme.