No fewer than 35 Colleges of Health Sciences in Kano State are allegedly operating without the required accreditation, admitting thousands of unsuspecting students and posing a serious threat to public health.
Investigations revealed that many of the affected institutions are producing community health practitioners and other health personnel who are already serving in health facilities across the state despite lacking certification from the relevant regulatory authorities.
While the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) lists only about 11 approved nursing-related institutions in Kano in its updated 2025 register, findings at the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN) North-West Office indicate that only 18 institutions have been accredited to train students in community health programmes.
The alleged illegal institutions, both public and private, reportedly include the College of Nursing Sciences, Dambatta, as well as institutions in Madobi, Gezawa, Gwarzo, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Bayero University, among others.
Beyond the risk to public health, proprietors of the unaccredited schools are accused of profiting from illegal admissions while exposing students to uncertain academic and professional futures through exorbitant fees.
The Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria (ACHPN) has raised concerns over the growing number of schools operating without accreditation and has petitioned the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), calling for urgent investigation and sanctions.
Speaking on the development, ACHPN Chairman in Kano, Comrade Khalid Hussaini, warned that the activities of the institutions could have devastating consequences for the state’s healthcare system.
He explained that before admitting students, every health training institution must obtain approvals from the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria and the State Ministry of Health, following inspections of facilities, equipment, manpower and other requirements.
According to Hussaini, institutions are only permitted to commence admissions after receiving provisional approval from the regulatory board.
“Unfortunately, most of the private health colleges are operating without satisfying the provisions. From our checks, we have noticed that more than 30 have not been accredited,” he said.
He added that the practice is damaging the healthcare system, defrauding innocent students, and undermining professional standards.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) confirmed that it has commenced investigations into the operations of private tertiary health institutions in the state.
PCACC Chairman, Saidi Yahaya, said the investigation followed a petition submitted by the ACHPN on June 22, 2026, and comes after the commission earlier shut down a private health training institution in Nasarawa Local Government Area on the same date.
According to Yahaya, the exercise aims to protect the public, prevent students and parents from enrolling in unrecognized programmes, uphold professional standards in healthcare education, and ensure that only duly accredited institutions are allowed to train future health professionals.
He stressed that the commission is particularly concerned about the dangers posed by unregulated health training institutions, warning that they could compromise the quality of healthcare delivery and endanger public health and safety.
