UNIZIK Nursing Students Raise Concerns Over Expensive Professional Exam Fee

Nursing students at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) are facing a new financial obligation after the university's decision to withdraw subsidies for professional examinations.

The Nigerian Universities Nursing Students Association (NUNSA), College of Health Sciences, Nnewi Campus announced that students would now be required to pay a combined sum of ₦200,000 for their pre-professional and professional examinations.

According to a notice dated Saturday, October 31, 2026, the new payment arrangement requires students to 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 announcement has raised concerns among students who will now have to make additional financial arrangements to meet the examination requirements.

Why UNIZIK Nursing Students Will Pay ₦200,000

In its notice to students, NUNSA explained that the new charges followed a directive from the university management requiring faculties and departments to take full responsibility for funding their professional examinations.

It also disclosed that its executives, course representatives and assistant course representatives across different academic levels had approached the Dean of the College of Health Sciences to appeal for a reduction in the proposed fees. However, the Dean explained the reasons behind the charges and the financial arrangements.

The association subsequently communicated the approved payment breakdown to students, stating that the total amount for both examinations would be ₦200,000 per student.

Breakdown of UNIZIK Nursing Examination Fees

Under the new arrangement announced by the students' association, the examination charges are divided into two categories:

• Pre-professional examination: ₦100,000.
• Professional (Council) examination: ₦100,000.
• Total payment: ₦200,000 per student.

The professional examination is conducted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, which oversees professional nursing examinations and regulation in the country.

Students' Association Explains Its Position

NUNSA acknowledged that the new financial requirement could create difficulties for some students, particularly those who depend on parents, guardians and sponsors to meet their educational expenses.

The association said it decided to inform students early enough to give them time to prepare financially and communicate the development to their sponsors.

It also indicated that the student representatives had made efforts to seek a reduction in the proposed charges but that the Dean had provided explanations for the arrangement.

NUNSA Addresses Complaints Over Quiz Duration

Beyond the examination charges, the students' association also addressed complaints concerning the time allocated to some papers during recently concluded quizzes.

Some students had reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the limited time provided to complete certain quiz papers.

NUNSA said the complaints had been communicated to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences adding that the faculty had taken note of the concerns.

The association also announced that the faculty would introduce a system of releasing results after individual quizzes.

According to the notice, the arrangement is intended to help students monitor their academic performance and remain informed about their progress throughout the assessment period.