If you are considering a career in nursing in Nigeria, one of the most important early steps is ensuring you meet the entry requirements for nursing school. The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) result is a critical component of admission into nursing and midwifery training programmes across the country. However, meeting the WAEC requirement goes beyond simply having the certificate, it requires the right subjects, credit passes, and often within a limited number of sittings.
Understanding these requirements early gives you a significant advantage: you can plan your studies, choose the correct subjects, and avoid surprises during admission screening. In this guide we will walk you through the WAEC requirements, subject combinations, how many sittings are allowed, age limits, and how universities and colleges of nursing interpret these results. By the end you will have a clear roadmap for gaining admission into a nursing programme.
Understanding the WAEC Requirement for Nursing Schools
For nursing programmes in Nigeria, the WAEC (or equivalent O’level examination such as NECO or NABTEB) result is the first gate. The professional regulatory body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), specifies that candidates must have at least five credit-level passes in specific O’level subjects at no more than two sittings. These credits must include English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Without these, admission into basic general nursing or basic midwifery programmes is typically not possible.
Importantly, nursing schools and colleges often accept WAEC combined with NECO results, but limit the number of sittings to two. Some programmes accept one sitting only, especially for university-level BNSc courses. These constraints highlight why each subject result and sitting count matters significantly.
Before applying to any nursing school in Nigeria, you must meet the WAEC requirements. This guide explains the essential subjects, minimum grades, acceptable sittings, and admission details for both universities and colleges of nursing.
Essential Subjects and Credit Passes Required in WAEC for Nursing school
One of the first questions students ask is: “Which WAEC subjects do I need for nursing school?” The answer is clear. The core subjects include English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. These must be passed at credit level (i.e., grades C6 or better in the WAEC grading system) in most nursing and midwifery schools.
In addition, some schools require credit in a sixth subject, often from science-based electives or health science-related areas. For example, a school might require English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and any one of Health Science or Technical Drawing.
If you score five credits, including the required core subjects in no more than two sittings, you meet the minimum WAEC requirement for basic nursing programmes. However, meeting these requirements is not always sufficient for admission—screening exams, age limits, and interviews may follow.
Number of Sittings and Acceptable Examination Bodies For Nursing School
Many students ask whether they can combine results from different sittings. The general rule for nursing admission is that the five credits must be obtained in not more than two sittings. For example, you might combine WAEC with NECO results across two sittings.
On the other hand, NABTEB results might be treated differently and may require all credits in one sitting, depending on the institution. Some schools also insist that all credits come from a single sitting, especially for competitive programmes such as BNSc in universities.
Therefore, while planning your O’level exams, aim to complete the required subjects as early as possible, ideally in one sitting, to keep your options wide and avoid admission hurdles.
Age Limit, Medical Fitness, and Other Screening Requirements For Nursing School
Beyond WAEC subject credits, nursing schools often impose age limits and other screening requirements. For instance, some training institutions require candidates to be at least 17 years old, while others set maximum age limits for midwifery.
In addition, candidates are required to pass medical fitness and psychological fitness checks. Training for nursing and midwifery is physically and mentally demanding, so institutions screen for suitability. The nursing regulatory body emphasizes personal integrity, physical stamina and caring attitudes.
Together with WAEC credits, these screening criteria ensure the candidate is academically and personally ready for the demands of nursing training.
University Level (BNSc) vs College of Nursing Requirements
Admission into Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) programmes at universities is more rigorous. Universities typically require the same five WAEC credits (English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) in not more than two sittings.
In addition to O’level results, candidates must pass the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) with relevant subjects such as English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Direct entry candidates (registered nurses) may be exempted from some requirements but must already hold RN/RM credentials.
On the other hand, colleges of nursing and midwifery (basic programmes) rely solely on O’level WAEC/NECO results, entrance exams and interviews without JAMB in many cases.
Understanding whether you are applying to a college or a university is essential because requirements differ significantly.
How to Interpret Your WAEC Result for Nursing Admission
Once you receive your WAEC result slip, follow these steps to interpret it for nursing school eligibility:
- Check for credit passes in the required five subjects: English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
- Count the number of sittings used: Ensure the five credits were achieved in no more than two sittings.
- Evaluate application body rules: If you combined WAEC and NECO, ensure the institution allows the mix.
- Check age and other screening: Ensure you meet age, medical fitness and state of origin requirements.
- Prepare for additional tests or interviews: Be ready for entrance exams and personal interviews if required.
If you have the required five credits in the correct subjects in one or two sittings, you are well placed to apply for nursing programmes. If not, consider retaking exams or upgrading weak subjects early.
Practical Tips to Meet and Improve WAEC Requirements For Nursing School
To ensure you meet nursing school requirements or improve your WAEC result, consider the following:
- Prioritise key science subjects: English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics must be credits. Focus study time there.
- Plan for one sitting if possible: Completing the required subjects in one sitting reduces complications in admission.
- Use quality study materials: Past questions, marking schemes and revision guides help identify important topics.
- Attend tutorials or study groups: For challenging subjects like Physics or Biology, join group study or get a tutor.
- Register early for retakes: If your credit pass in a subject is weak, retake early to avoid admission delays.
- Check your certified results: Ensure your WAEC result is certified, readable and all subjects are correctly recorded. Unclear results can cause rejection.
By being proactive, you improve your eligibility and reduce tension during admission season.
Conclusion
Meeting WAEC requirements is the first and most critical step toward entering a nursing school in Nigeria. You must secure credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics within no more than two sittings. Beyond this you must meet age, medical and screening requirements and understand whether you are applying to a college or university programme. With this knowledge and a clear study plan, you are well on your way to securing admission and starting your journey to a rewarding nursing career in Nigeria.
Promise Jackson