John Valentine Nugent (1796 – 12 June 1874) was an Irish-born educator, journalist and political figure in Newfoundland.
He represented Placentia and St. Mary's from 1836 to 1842 and St. John's from 1842 to 1848 in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly.
In 1833, he came to St. John's where he opened a private school, following an invite by Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming, who was responsible for much emigration to Newfoundland from the south east of Ireland.
He became owner of the Newfoundland Patriot in 1837 after Robert John Parsons was sent to jail for contempt of court.
Nugent helped found the St. John's Academy in 1845 and taught there from 1845 to 1856.