A group of 47 Nigerian medical students, evacuated from Sudan during the 2023 crisis, are currently facing a major setback in their pursuit of becoming certified doctors in Nigeria. Their challenge? The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) requires documentation that many of them cannot provide due to the nature of their emergency evacuation.
These students were enrolled at Sudan International University (SIU) before the war broke out. With the assistance of the Federal Government, they were safely evacuated without exit visas, and most of them left their international passports behind. Despite this, they managed to continue their medical training in Nigeria and graduate, only to now face roadblocks as they prepare for the mandatory MDCN licensing examination scheduled for June 2025.
“We successfully completed our studies and graduated in 2024, receiving our certificates as students of SIU,” one student shared during an interview in Abuja.
With the approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC), the students resumed their final year at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SIU and UDUTH. They went on to complete clinical rotations in gynaecology, paediatrics, surgery, and medicine under Nigerian consultants, graduating officially in October 2024.
However, things took a turn when they attempted to register for the MDCN qualifying exams.
“We are currently preparing for the MDCN exams, but one requirement is the submission of a ‘first entry visa and a last exit visa.’ Unfortunately, none of us have these documents because most passports remain in Sudan due to emergency evacuation,” said Najid Hassan, President of the Nigerian Students Association at SIU.
Mr Hassan appealed to the Federal Government for intervention, highlighting the unique challenges the group faces due to the emergency nature of their evacuation and education completion.
The MDCN, established under the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, regulates the practice of medicine and dentistry in Nigeria. It requires international passport pages showing visa and immigration stamps for candidates applying to take its foreign-trained graduate exams. While the council has shown some flexibility in the past—for students affected by COVID-19 or conflicts in Ukraine—its current position on the Sudan evacuees appears rigid.
In a 2024 statement, MDCN Registrar Dr. Fatima Kyari reaffirmed the importance of physical training at recognised institutions and clarified that academic collaborations like the one with UDUTH do not automatically qualify students for licensing unless properly integrated into MDCN-accredited institutions.
Despite acknowledgment of the issue by top education officials, including Rakiya Ilyasu of the Federal Ministry of Education and NUC Deputy Executive Secretary Chris Maiyaki, a clear solution has not yet emerged. Affected students have been advised to formally write to the Minister of Education and include relevant supporting documents to expedite intervention.
Meanwhile, efforts to get a response from key bodies such as the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and Usmanu Danfodiyo University have so far been unsuccessful.
With the June 2025 examination approaching fast, these students’ dreams of practicing medicine in Nigeria remain uncertain. Many are hoping that the government and relevant agencies will provide timely support and practical solutions that reflect the extraordinary circumstances they have endured.
The Students Forum Nigeria serves as the ultimate hub for Nigerian students, fostering academic growth, social engagement, and knowledge sharing.
