15 Free Online Nursing Courses With Certificate In Nigeria 2024

Where to get some of the best Online Nursing Courses With Certificate in Nigeria include the distance learning nursing programs at the National Open University (NOUN), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Online Nursing Program, Ahmadu Bello University, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and University of Ibadan.

The world is always in need of nurses, especially as healthcare continues to evolve; healthcare professionals will always need to monitor patients throughout their recovery process and critical health conditions.

Among the Nigerian youth today, more and more people want to pursue a career in nursing. Some will go abroad to study at accredited nursing schools, while others will study here at some of the best nursing schools in Nigeria.

There are three ways to pursue a career in nursing: the first option is to enrol in a graduate program and spend 5 years to be a BSc holder in Nursing; the second is to enrol in a school of nursing for 3 years and come out as a certified nurse. The third is enrolling in an accredited online Nursing Course and getting certified.

This post will focus on the third one, specifically the online nursing courses with certificates.

What Are Online Nursing Courses Exactly?

The actual name to term these courses would be Hybrid courses. The theoretical and lecture parts of the courses are done online via Learning Management Systems, and collaborative materials are sent through the course lecturers. Assignments are also done in this format.

However, the clinical postings must be done physically, as well as some exams. These need to be done physically to ensure the quality of both.

Now that’s been settled, and you understand the learning situation used here, let’s dive into the list.

The Best Online Nursing Courses With Certificate In Nigeria

1.   National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Online Nursing Program

The National Open University (NOUN) is the pioneer of distance learning in Nigeria, choosing to opt for a format that would suit students who were either working or tied up with other factors that made it impossible for them to be regular attending students.

The NOUN offers a BSc in Nursing program duly accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). That means the certificate is not only valid but matches those of those who went to regular universities.

 The NOUN online learning platform is entirely interactive and fun to use, and they operate a comprehensive coursework throughout the semester that you can study and understand perfectly with the materials provided. My dad attended NOUN, and though he studied Economics, he still gives favourable testimonies about the school and how easy it is to work and still be a student at NOUN.

Programs Available:

• Nursing: BSc in Nursing
• Public Health: BSc Public Health

Duration: 4 years from 200 Level

Eligibility for Admission

• You must be a registered, licensed nurse or midwife of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria before you can apply, as admission to 100 level isn’t possible. You can only be admitted into 200 level.
• You must have six months of working experience and a letter of documentation from the current place of clinical practice for enrollment.
• All aspirants must have a valid practice license issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
• You must get at least 5 credits in the five core subjects in WASSCE OR NECO: English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics.

Application Website: Click Here to Apply

2.   Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Online Nursing Program

OAU is one of the best universities in this country and offers one of the best online nursing courses with certificates in Nigeria. The school has taken its commitment to sustainable and scalable distance learning very seriously.

They offer multiple ways their students can receive the lectures, including collaborative digital classes, YouTube videos and various Learning Management Systems like Google Classrooms, etc., for their teaching.

Like NOUN University above, the student would do most of the theoretical work at home and be physically required for exams and practical procedures requiring training and testing in actual clinical situations.

They offer the BSc Nursing Program.

Eligibility for Admission:

• Aspirants must be nurses registered by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria
• Applicant must have credits in five subjects in their WASSCE or NECO; the subjects compulsorily needed are English, Mathematics, Physics, biology, and chemistry.
• Written and Oral Interview

Program duration:  Four Years

Application Website: Click Here to Apply

3.   Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Online Nursing Program

This is another institution that I love when it comes to its distance learning initiative.  Their nursing program occurs primarily online and is administered through various comprehensive and easy-to-understand learning models. The learning process for the Nursing program is flexible and accessible to people from all walks of life.

ABU’s online nursing courses with certificates is not just about reading textbooks; they also use tools like online discussion boards and virtual classrooms to keep students engaged.

Plus, there are practical training and clinical placements to gain hands-on experience, especially during the Industrial Training and Clinical placement when the students are STRICTLY monitored to confirm they are ready to brave the world as BSc Nursing graduates.

Programs offered: BSc Nursing from 200 Level Direct entry

Admission Requirements:

• Registered Nursing Certificate from The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria
• 5 O’Level Credits in the subjects needed

Program duration: 4 years from 200 Level

Application Website: Click Here to Apply

4.   Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Online Nursing Program

Like other universities on this list, LAUTECH operates a mainly hybrid learning system for its students in the online nursing program; however, it is one of the best among the universities that provide online nursing courses with certificates.

The students can learn from the comfort of their homes and go about their daily lives, with the only physical requirements being examinations and clinical training.

They offer a BSc in Nursing Program.

Admission Requirements:

• Registered Nursing Certificate from The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria
• 5 O’Level Credits in the subjects needed

Program Duration:  4 years

Application Website: Click Here To Apply

5.   University of Ibadan Distance Learning

The University of Ibadan’s arrangement is similar to most other universities on this list: a hybrid format with flexible schedules for physically dependent activities like exams or clinicals. Other than that, they offer one of the best online nursing courses with certificate in Nigeria

The University is a prestigious school and one that I would be jealous of anyone who got to attend here for their nursing training. The institution is ranked highly globally and deserves all the hype it gets.

They train their students with the highest level of scrutiny and raise some of the best nursing professionals in Nigeria.

They offer the BSc IN Nursing program.

Admission Requirements:

• Registered Nursing Certificate from The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria
• 5 O’Level Credits in the subjects needed

Program Duration:  4 years

Note: That concludes the list of Indigenous universities that are offering online nursing courses with certificates.

6.   Nurses International

This is a foreign organisation, but it deserves to be on this list.

Nurses International offers online nursing programs for students in Africa and Asia. These programs are accredited according to the standards of their respective countries. Nurses International, as a non-profit organisation, focuses on elevating nursing education and supporting nurses globally.

This means you can get all the training you need as a nurse from them all for free; however, as you learn, you should make sure you collaborate with the Nursing and Midwifery Council to confirm what specific things you need to put in place to learn from this foreign institution exactly. 

You would have to do clinical placements and eventually write your council exams here in Nigeria if you ever plan to work in the Nigerian health space.

Nurses International offers a range of online nursing programs designed to enhance nursing practices globally. The courses they offer, accredited according to each country’s standards, include:

• Pediatric Nursing: Focusing on child healthcare and infant patient care. This involves diagnosis, too.
• Mental Health Nursing: Covering mental health disorders and care for mental health patients.
• Fundamentals of Nursing: Basic nursing principles. This covers the major theoretical parts of nursing, such as charting and documentation.
• Maternal Health: Prenatal to postnatal care and midwifery included.
• Oncology Nursing: Cancer care and treatment.
• Health Assessment Resources: Comprehensive health assessments and testing.

Program Duration: Varies depending on the course

Admission Requirements: This also greatly varies depending on the course, but they typically cater to beginners in nursing and then train them until the Council exam level.

Note: No matter what qualification you get from these foreign universities, you have to take the Council exams in Nigeria for you to become an actual nurse. If you skip that step, you just wasted your efforts.

Final Words on Some of the Best Online Nursing Courses With Certificate In Nigeria

These online nursing courses with certificates in Nigeria are a fantastic opportunity for individuals looking to advance their nursing careers or possibly want to learn nursing afresh.  These courses cover various topics, from fundamental patient care to specialised fields, offering flexibility for aspiring and experienced nurses.

The convenience of online learning allows you to balance your studies with other commitments, making it easier to stay competitive in the evolving healthcare sector. Enrolling in these courses can enhance your knowledge, boost your employability, and contribute to the healthcare community.

Take advantage of these opportunities for lifelong learning and professional growth in this digital age.

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