Nursing Schools and Programs in Nigeria

Nursing Studies in Nigeria

Nurses are well-respected the world over for the services and TLC they provide, but to qualify to work as a nurse in a hospital or other type of medical facility you will first need to earn a degree that demonstrates you’ve received the proper type of education and training to fulfill your duties.  The good news is that you can now earn a portion of your educational credentials by studying abroad in a foreign country like Nigeria, effectively combining a great educational experience with a fun and interesting African vacation.
 
Nigeria, officially referred to as the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic consisting of 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is situated on the western side of the African continent and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin to the west, Chad and Cameroon to the east, and Niger in the north. Its coast in the south lies on the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean. There are over 500 ethnic groups in Nigeria, of which the three largest are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.

Known as "the Giant of Africa", Kenya is the most populous country on the continent and the seventh most populous country in the world.  Its oil reserves have brought great revenues to the country.  Nigeria is considered to be an “emerging market” nation by the World Bank, and its economy is the second largest in Africa and the 37th largest in the world as of the last international rankings.  Nigeria has been identified as a regional power, with regional hegemony and major influence within its region.  The country is listed among the "Next Eleven" economies, a designation given to a country whose economy has shown recent improvement. Nigeria is expected to soon become the largest economy in Africa, overtaking South Africa, which has long held that distinction, and become one of the world's Top 20 economies by 2050.

Nigeria is roughly divided in half between Christians, who mostly live in the South and central parts of the country, and Muslims, concentrated mostly in the north. A minority of the population practice traditional and local religions, including the Igbo and Yoruba religions.
 
Nursing Education in Nigeria
 
Nursing education in Nigeria is an important part of its universities’ curriculum and a popular field of study among Nigerian students.  Programs are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level, leading to the United States’ equivalent of Bachelor and Master’s Degrees.
 
At the undergraduate level, Nigerian nursing education typically take three to four years to complete, while the graduate program typically spans another 2-3 years after the baccalaureate. 
 
The coursework students can expect to encounter while studying for their nursing degree is a combination of general education subjects and nursing-specific courses—classes that deal with the theoretical and clinical aspects of the nursing field.  Some of these advanced courses, which are typically taken in the last two years of the program, include:
 

• Professional Nursing Concepts
• Assessments and Health Evaluations
• Public Health Nursing
• Nursing Pharmacology
• Advanced Chemistry
• Medical Microbiology
• Medical Terminology/Vocabulary
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Safety Issues and Practices
• Epidemiology and Statistics
• Pathology for Nursing
• Management and Leadership in Nursing
• And many more…

 
The Master of Science degree program, in which nurses who have previously earned their undergraduate degree can pursue advanced study in a particular nursing specialty (pediatric nursing, oncology nurse, etc.), includes both coursework and clinical practice.  Before being awarded a Master’s degree, students are required to complete a capstone project or thesis and present their findings to a panel of faculty members.
 
Why Study Abroad in Nigeria
 
Nigeria is a wonderful place in which to study and live for a semester or year—a place that gives students the opportunity to expand their cultural horizons, meet new people and even make lasting friendships with like-minded students.  The country is also a sightseer’s paradise, with an endless number of great attractions to visit, including the ones highlighted below:
 
Azumini Blue River Rose
 
Azumini Blue River Rose is located in the state of Abia near the boundary it creates with Akwa Lbom State. The River has become a resort for tourists because of the peace and tranquility it offers. The attractive features of the River include its crystal-clear blue water; canoe rides; and sandy beaches, complete with comfortable chairs and picnic tables. At the beach there are also BBQ pits for those looking to grill up something tasty.
 
The Long JuJu Shrine of Arochukwu

The region of Nigeria known as Arochukwu is a famous tourist destination and home to the cave of the famous Long JuJu shrine.  Inside the cave, according to legend, is a pipe in which the gods can speak to people.  For those who are traditionally religious, this oracle or shrine would be an especially exquisite attraction.  The entire area around the cave is seen as a religious center of Nigeria, with a functioning administrative structure headed by a Chief Priest.
 
nYola

The municipality of Yola is the capital of Adamawa State, located in the northeastern portion of Nigeria. The most striking impression about this well-known town is the undulating topography of the hill chains located here, particularly the three sister hills, which are named as such because they stand side by side and share the same height. The cultural aspects of the town reach their climax between the months of March and May, a period in which the city celebrates the fishing festival at Lake Njuwa.