UNIZIK Nursing Students Face ₦200,000 Bill for Professional Examinations
FNA NEWS, 2nd Of October, 2026
Nursing students at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, are expected to pay ₦200,000 for their pre-professional and professional examinations following the withdrawal of university subsidies for the examinations.
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The Nigerian Universities Nursing Students Association (NUNSA), College of Health Sciences, Nnewi Campus, announced the new payment arrangement in a notice dated October 31, 2026.
Under the arrangement, each student will pay ₦100,000 for the pre-professional examination and another ₦100,000 for the professional examination conducted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
The combined payment brings the examination cost to ₦200,000 per student.
University Withdraws Examination Subsidies
According to the students’ association, the new charges followed a directive from the university management requiring faculties and departments to take full responsibility for financing their professional examinations.
The university will no longer provide the subsidies previously used to support the examinations.
Following the announcement, NUNSA representatives reportedly approached the Dean of the College of Health Sciences to appeal for a reduction in the proposed charges.
The delegation included association executives, course representatives and assistant course representatives from different academic levels.
However, the Dean reportedly explained the reasons behind the new financial arrangement. The association subsequently communicated the approved fees to students.
NUNSA acknowledged that the additional financial obligation could create difficulties for students, particularly those who depend on their parents, guardians and sponsors to fund their education.
The association said it released the information early to give students and their sponsors time to prepare for the payments.
Financial Pressure on Nursing Students Raises Concerns
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The new examination charges raise broader concerns about the increasing financial demands placed on nursing students in Nigeria.
Beyond tuition and other academic expenses, nursing students must meet several professional training requirements before completing their programmes and qualifying for professional registration.
For students from low-income households, an additional ₦200,000 examination bill could create significant financial pressure.
The development also raises questions about how universities plan and fund professional examinations, particularly when such examinations form an essential part of the training and assessment process.
While institutions must maintain the quality and credibility of professional assessments, the financial responsibility should not become an unexpected burden on students.
Clear communication about examination costs, transparent fee breakdowns and adequate consultation with student representatives are important when institutions introduce new financial arrangements.
Call for Transparency and Student Engagement
The development highlights the need for stronger engagement between university managements and nursing students on decisions that directly affect their education.
Although NUNSA says its representatives appealed for a reduction, the available report does not indicate whether the university will reconsider the charges.
Fellow Nurses Africa believes that the financial accessibility of nursing education deserves serious attention. Professional examinations are essential to maintaining standards in nursing practice, but the cost of accessing these assessments should also receive careful consideration.
University managements and relevant stakeholders must ensure that examination funding arrangements are transparent, communicated well in advance and structured with students’ financial realities in mind.
As nursing education expands in Nigeria, efforts to improve training standards must also consider the financial barriers that could prevent capable students from completing their professional training.
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Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform and support nurses across Africa.
Durowoju Abisola is a registered nurse, nurse writer and On-Air Correspondent at Fellow Nurses Africa (FNA), passionate about nursing leadership, health education and advocacy.
Through journalism, storytelling and content creation, she amplifies important conversations around nursing, healthcare and the experiences of nurses in Nigeria. She is committed to using her voice and professional knowledge to educate the public, challenge misconceptions and inspire the next generation of nurses.
