Fate Of 47 Nigerian Medical Students Who Studied In Sudan Hangs In Balance
A group of 47 Nigerian medical students who escaped war-torn Sudan in May 2023 are now struggling to register for the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council (MDCN) examination due to a document snag.
The students, many of whom fled or were evacuated by the federal government without exit visas, are currently racing against time to meet the registration deadline, with their future careers hanging precariously in the balance.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the students who were enrolled at Sudan International University (SIU) were evacuated to Nigeria during the 2023 conflict in Sudan while in their final year of study.
According to the students, with the approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC), they were permitted to continue their academic programme at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) in Sokoto.
Speaking to NAN on Sunday in Abuja, one student said: “We successfully completed our studies and graduated in 2024, receiving our certificates as students of SIU.”
He added that they were currently preparing to sit for the MDCN examinations.
The student, however, added that one of the requirements was presenting a first-entry visa and a last-exit visa.
“Unfortunately, none of us have these documents as most of our passports remained in Sudan due to the emergency evacuation.
“We respectfully request permission to sit for the examinations scheduled for June 2025,” he said.
The President of the Nigerian Students Association at SIU, Najid Hassan, confirmed that due to the war in Sudan, Nigerian students were evacuated by the federal government.
Hassan explained that with NUC approval, the affected students were allowed to continue their academic programme at UDUTH following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between
SIU and UDUTH.
“After the MoU, we resumed studies at UDUTH in December 2023 and spent one year there.
“We completed clinical rotations, lectures in gynaecology, paediatrics, surgery, and medicine, and graduated in October 2024.
“We took examinations supervised by consultants at UDUTH,” Hassan said.
He added that after graduation, students were awarded certificates bearing the SIU name.
Hassan, however, said that when they approached MDCN for registration, the process, expected to be seamless, became challenging.
“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,” Hassan said.
He appealed to the federal government to intervene.
The Federal Ministry of Education, through the Director of University Education, Rakiya Ilyasu, acknowledged the situation.
She advised the affected students to formally write to the Minister of Education, including their names, and to copy the Director of Education Support Services to help facilitate a resolution.
Similarly, NUC Deputy Executive Secretary Chris Maiyaki confirmed that the agency was aware of the development.
He advised the students to contact the Ministry of Education to resolve the issues.
However, all efforts by NAN to obtain a response from Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), regarding the students’ plea proved unsuccessful.
Similarly, all efforts to get a reaction from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) failed.
The Deputy Provost of the Medical School said he had no authority to speak on the issue, while the Vice Chancellor, Bashir Garba, said he was on transit and would respond appropriately.
(NAN)
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
