Studying Medicine In Nigeria is a popular career choice for most science students. This career path is lucrative and a dream career for intending doctors. Additionally, starting a career as a doctor brings a lot of great opportunities and prestige in Nigeria. The benefits of studying medicine in Nigeria are lower tuition and affordable cost of living compared to other countries.  Additionally,  most medical schools in Nigeria are known for their heritage and significance in impacting students with quality education.

However, obtaining admission to study medicine in Nigeria is not a piece of cake. The competition to study this prestigious course is high in every institution in Nigeria. Therefore, you need to ensure that you have the basic requirements that are required of every applicant before you make an application.

In this piece, I will discuss the requirements and exam scores needed to study Medicine in Nigeria

Requirements to Study Medicine in Nigeria

1. Age

   You must be at least sixteen years (16) old before you can be allowed to study medicine in Nigeria.  Most Universities in Nigeria do not accept candidates who are below the age of 16. Especially in Federal and State Universities. Therefore, you must be 16 and above by the time you apply to the university.

2. Obtain an O’ level Result

   This is a major requirement for obtaining admission to study medicine. You must have a minimum of five credits in your result. Additionally, you must have credits in subjects such as English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Biology. You can apply using results such as NECO, WAEC or NABTEB.

3. Write the JAMB Exam

   This examination is an important requirement for studying medicine in Nigeria. You should register and write subjects such as Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Additionally, you should score a minimum of 280 – 300 in your JAMB results. You will have a higher advantage with a high JAMB score. Secondly, this helps to increase your aggregate score which will decide your admission status.

4. Write the Post UTME

   The Post UTME is an entrance examination offered by Universities in Nigeria to screen applicants. You need to register and write the examination on the university’s premises. Additionally, you should score a minimum of 80 in this examination. Furthermore, this will help to increase your chances of getting admission into medicine and surgery.

5. Meet the Aggregate Score

   The minimum aggregate score for Medicine and Surgery is 76.25. However, this can vary for different universities. Therefore, you need to verify the university you want to study in while making your preparations. You will be able to calculate your aggregate score by dividing your JAMB score by 8 and your post-UTME score by 2. Secondly, you add the results of the divided JAMB score and Post UTME score together. This will give you your aggregate score.

Alternative Requirements for Getting Admission

1. JUPEB Program

   This is a one-year program which students undergo before applying to the university. You should register for this program at the University of your choice to be qualified. With this program, you do not need to write JAMB to obtain admission at the University. After this program, you can apply to study Medicine and Surgery. You will gain admission into the 200 level if you meet the programme requirements. However, you need to buy the registration form and write the entrance examination to begin this program.

2. Direct Entry

   This mode of application is for candidates who have acquired a bachelor’s degree. You must have at least Second class Hons to qualify for admission. Additionally, you should have a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or a related healthcare field. You will gain admission into the 200 level if you meet the requirements.

How to Apply

You can apply to this course by indicating the course and your university of interest as your first choice while registering for the JAMB examination. Additionally, you will required to sit for a Post UTME at the University of your choice. Furthermore, you can verify the status of your admission regularly on the university’s portal.

Duration of Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria

The duration for studying Medicine in Nigeria is six (6) years. This will include theoretical as well as practical classes. Additionally, you need to undergo a compulsory one-year internship after graduating. After graduating, you will earn a Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree.

Universities in Nigeria that Offer Medicine

Federal Universities

1. University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
2. University of Calabar, Cross Rivers State
3. Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Osun State
4. University of Nigeria, Nsukka Enugu State
5. Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State
6. University of Ilorin, Kwara State
7. University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos State
8. University of Ibadan, Oyo State
9. Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto, Sokoto State
10. University of Abuja, FCT
11. University of Jos, Plateau State
12. Bayero University Kano, Kano State
13. University of Port- Harcourt, Rivers State
14. Nnamdi Azikiwe University Nnewi, Anambra State
15. University of Benin, Benin-City, Edo State
16. University of Maiduguri, Borno State

State Universities

1. Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State
2. Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Edo State
3. Lagos State University Ikeja, Lagos State
4. Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State
5. Gombe State University
6. Kaduna State University, Kaduna Sate
7. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Osun State
8. Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State
9. Abia State University Uturu, Abia State
10. Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
11. Enugu State University of Science &Technology, Enugu, Enugu State
12. Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun Sate
13. Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli Anambra State
14. Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti
15. Imo State University Owerri, Imo State

Private Universities

1. Madonna University Elele, Rivers State
2. Babcock University, Ilisham-Remo, Ogun State
3. Igbinedion University Okada, Edo State
4. Bingham University Karu, Nasarawa State
5. Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State
6. Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
7. Gregory University, Uturu Abia State
8. Covenant University, Ota Ogun State

Tuition Fee

The tuition fee for Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria varies based on University. The federal universities in Nigeria offer the cheapest tuition fee followed by the state universities. However, private universities in Nigeria have the most expensive tuition fees. Additionally, the tuition fee would vary based on academic level. You should verify from the university website before making an application.

In Conclusion, studying medicine in Nigeria is a highly competitive venture. As an applicant, you must focus on acquiring high scores in your JAMB and Post UTME.  Additionally, you need to know that these requirements can change regularly by each university’s administration. Therefore, you should ensure that you visit the school’s website before you make an application. You can also reach out to us for further inquiries and assistance.

Good luck!

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