College of Nursing Sciences, Amachara
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The College of Nursing Sciences, Amachara is a public nursing and midwifery training institution located in Amachara, Abia State, Nigeria. The institution is operated by the Abia State Government and is recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) as an approved centre for the training of nurses and midwives in Nigeria.[1][2]
The institution originated as the School of Nursing, Amachara, established by the Abia State Government as part of efforts to address shortages in trained healthcare personnel within the state. It functioned for several years as one of multiple state-owned nursing schools operating under the supervision of the Abia State Ministry of Health.
In 2023, the School of Nursing, Amachara attracted national media attention following protests by students over alleged irregularities in its preliminary test examinations. In response, the Abia State Government announced the cancellation of the affected examination sessions, citing the need to ensure transparency and fairness in the admission process.[1]
As part of broader reforms in the state's health education sector, the Abia State Government later announced plans to upgrade and merge eight state-owned schools of nursing, including the Amachara institution, into a unified College of Nursing Sciences. The reform was intended to improve training standards, infrastructure, and compliance with national regulatory requirements.[2]
Administration and Regulation
The College of Nursing Sciences, Amachara operates under the authority of the Abia State Ministry of Health and is regulated professionally by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). The council is responsible for accreditation, curriculum approval, and professional registration of graduates of nursing and midwifery programmes in Nigeria.[3]
Academic Programmes
The institution offers professional training programmes approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, including:
Basic Nursing Programme – a three-year programme leading to qualification as a Registered Nurse (RN).
Midwifery Programme – professional training for midwives in accordance with national standards. These programmes prepare students for council-administered professional examinations and subsequent licensure to practise within Nigeria
Admissions
Admission into the nursing and midwifery programmes is conducted in line with guidelines issued by the Abia State Ministry of Health and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. Applicants are generally required to possess credits in relevant science subjects at the secondary school level and to pass entrance examinations organised by the state.
In 2023, the state government annulled and rescheduled entrance examinations into its nursing institutions, including the Amachara school, following complaints by candidates and students alleging irregularities in the testing process.[4]