Cross River State runs two state-owned colleges of nursing sciences in the northern part of the state. One is at Obudu and the other is at Ogoja, which also has a campus at Moniaya. Both train students for the National Diploma (ND) in Nursing and admit new students once a year. This guide explains the College of Nursing Sciences, Obudu/Ogoja school fees for freshers and returning students for the 2026/2027 session.
It covers the form and screening charges each college asks for, the expected tuition range, the extra costs a fresher pays in the first year, how returning students pay, the admission requirements, and how to avoid paying the wrong account.
About the Two Colleges
Cross River State College of Nursing Sciences, Obudu (often shortened to CONSOB) is in Obudu Local Government Area. It runs the ND Nursing programme and also advertises Higher National Diploma (HND) admission for qualified candidates.
Cross River State College of Nursing Sciences, Ogoja is in Ogoja town, with a second campus at Moniaya. It runs the ND Nursing programme for both campuses through one admission exercise.
Both colleges belong to the Cross River State Government. Their programmes run under the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), and the ND and HND structure follows the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) model. Because they are state colleges, their fees are much lower than those of private nursing colleges in the South-South and South-East.
College of Nursing Sciences, Obudu/Ogoja School Fees at a Glance
Neither college posts a full public fee schedule online. Fees are given to students in the admission letter or on the school portal after admission. The figures below are the charges the colleges themselves announced in their admission and payment notices, together with the usual tuition range for the ND Nursing programme at the two colleges.
| Item | Obudu | Ogoja (Ogoja and Moniaya campuses) |
|---|---|---|
| Post-UTME / screening form (2026/2027) | ₦25,000 | ₦2,000 screening fee |
| Handling or administrative charge (2026/2027) | ₦13,000 | ₦30,000 |
| Total to apply | ₦38,000 | ₦32,000 |
| Acceptance fee (freshers) | ₦25,000 (last announced for 2024/2025) | Stated in the admission letter |
| Portal fee (all students) | ₦15,000 (from 2025/2026) | Stated by the bursary |
| Estimated tuition and charges per session | About ₦120,000 to ₦280,000 | About ₦120,000 to ₦280,000 |
The tuition range is an estimate for the ND Nursing programme, not an official schedule. The exact figure depends on the level of study, whether the student is a fresher, and the charges the college adds for the session. Always confirm the final amount with the college bursary before paying.
School Fees for Freshers
A fresher pays more in the first session than a returning student, because several one-time charges come with admission. For the College of Nursing Sciences, Obudu/Ogoja school fees for freshers and returning students, the first-year bill usually includes:
- Acceptance fee: paid to secure the admission offer. Obudu last announced ₦25,000 for the 2024/2025 admission list.
- Portal or registration fee: Obudu introduced a ₦15,000 portal fee in 2025/2026, which every student pays before any other payment.
- Tuition and session charges: covering teaching, laboratory work, clinical posting and administration.
- Uniform and clinical kit: nursing uniforms, a cap, shoes and basic clinical items.
- Medical test and identity card: a fitness test is part of registration at most nursing colleges.
- Hostel accommodation: where the student lives on campus.
- NMCN-related charges: nursing colleges collect fees for student indexing with the NMCN at the start of the programme.
Together, these items push the first-year cost above the tuition figure alone. A fresher should budget for the full list, not only the tuition.
School Fees for Returning Students
Returning students pay tuition and session charges each year, without the acceptance fee and other one-time admission costs. At Obudu, the college moved all payments to a central portal from the 2025/2026 session. Under that system:
- Every student first pays the ₦15,000 portal fee.
- A returning student clears any unpaid fees from earlier sessions before paying for the new session.
- The student then pays all the fees and charges for the current session through the portal.
- The student prints the receipt and submits it to the bursary for confirmation.
Returning students at Ogoja follow the payment instructions issued by the college bursary at the start of each session. Final-year students should also expect charges linked to the NMCN qualifying examination process.
Factors That Affect the Fees
- Level of study: first-year fees include one-time charges, and final-year fees include examination costs.
- Accommodation: students who live off campus avoid the hostel fee but pay rent in town.
- Programme: HND and post-basic programmes have their own fee structures, separate from the ND.
- State policy: as state colleges, both schools can review fees when the Cross River State Government changes its funding.
Admission Requirements for 2026/2027
The fee is only one part of getting into either college. A candidate for the ND Nursing programme needs:
- O’Level: five credits in WAEC, NECO or NABTEB, in not more than two sittings, in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
- JAMB UTME: the subjects are English Language, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. JAMB set 150 as the national minimum for colleges of nursing sciences for the 2026 admission exercise. One version of the Obudu notice mentions 140, but no school can admit below the national floor, so candidates should aim for 150 or more.
- Choice of institution: the college should be the first choice on the JAMB profile. A candidate who chose another school must do a change of institution on the JAMB portal.
- Age: the Obudu notice asks for candidates who are at least 16 years old, or who turn 16 by 30 September of the admission year.
- Documents: passport photographs on a white background, and the original and photocopies of all credentials for screening.
Form and Screening Process
The two colleges sell their forms in a similar way, but the amounts and dates differ.
Obudu
For 2026/2027, Obudu charges ₦25,000 for the post-UTME form and a ₦13,000 handling charge. In the previous exercise, the screening fee was paid into the college’s designated bank account, proof of payment went to the bursary, and the handling charge was paid at the Provost’s office when collecting the form. Screening includes a computer-based test followed by an oral interview.
Ogoja (Ogoja and Moniaya Campuses)
For 2026/2027, Ogoja charges a ₦2,000 screening fee and a ₦30,000 administrative fee, a total of ₦32,000. Payment goes to the college’s designated bank account, and the receipt is checked at the college bursary. The college stated that its forms are not sold online. Forms were on sale until 18 July 2026, and screening took place from 21 to 23 July 2026.
How to Pay Safely
Fake form sellers and false account numbers are common around admission time. To stay safe:
- Pay only into the account named in the college’s official notice, or through the official portal.
- Collect a receipt and have it confirmed at the bursary.
- Ignore anyone who sells “special” admission, “guaranteed” slots or forms after the official closing date.
- Confirm any phone number or account by visiting the college or calling the Provost’s office before paying.
Comparison With Other Nursing Colleges in Cross River State
| College | Ownership | Location | Main Programme |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of Nursing Sciences, Obudu | State | Obudu | ND and HND Nursing |
| College of Nursing Sciences, Ogoja | State | Ogoja and Moniaya | ND Nursing |
| College of Nursing Sciences, Itigidi | State | Itigidi, Abi LGA | ND Nursing |
| School of Nursing, UCTH | Federal (teaching hospital) | Calabar | Nursing |
The state colleges usually cost less than federal teaching hospital schools in the cities, and much less than private colleges. This makes Obudu and Ogoja good choices for candidates who want a lower-cost nursing route in the north of the state.
Tips for Applicants and Students
- Save money for the full first-year bill, not just the tuition, because uniforms, the medical test and hostel fees add up.
- Upload the O’Level result to JAMB CAPS early, because a missing result can block admission.
- Keep every receipt from the first year to the final year, because the bursary may ask for them before the NMCN examination.
- Returning students should clear any outstanding fees early, since Obudu does not allow payment for a new session while old fees remain unpaid.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much is the College of Nursing Sciences, Obudu form for 2026/2027? ₦25,000 for the post-UTME form, plus a ₦13,000 handling charge.
2. How much is the Ogoja nursing form? ₦32,000 in total: a ₦2,000 screening fee and a ₦30,000 administrative fee.
3. What is the JAMB cut-off mark for both colleges? The national minimum for colleges of nursing sciences in 2026 is 150, and candidates should score at least that.
4. Do returning students pay an acceptance fee? No. The acceptance fee is paid once, by freshers.
5. Can I buy the Ogoja form online? No. The college stated that its forms are not sold online.
Final Thoughts
The College of Nursing Sciences, Obudu/Ogoja school fees for freshers and returning students are among the more affordable nursing fees in Cross River State, with application costs of ₦38,000 at Obudu and ₦32,000 at Ogoja for 2026/2027, and tuition that usually falls between about ₦120,000 and ₦280,000 a session. Freshers pay extra one-time charges such as the acceptance and portal fees, while returning students pay session fees through the college’s payment system. Before paying any amount, confirm the current fee schedule with the college bursary or the Provost’s office.