How to Become a Doctor in Nigeria
As is the case in many less-developed nations, access to basic medical care is limited for many, and Nigeria's medical colleges are struggling to produce the necessary number of doctors while maintaining acceptable international standards of care. Requirements for many medical colleges are under review by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. As with all professions, a combination of preparatory schooling, training and work experience is required. Unlike the American medical training system, a medical degree in Nigeria is awarded at the undergraduate level. A combination of education and an internship will lead to your registration as a licensed medical professional in Nigeria.
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Instructions
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Earn your West African School Certificate (or Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination or National Examination Council) with credit-level passes in English, mathematics, biology, physics and chemistry.
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Sit for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Exam (JAME), which will secure admission into the preliminary (pre-medical) year of your university's medical program. According to the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, the minimum score for admission to the preliminary year is 200.
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Alternatively, if you have high passing marks in the Advanced Level General Certificate Exams (GCE A level) in chemistry, biology and physics, you may apply for an exemption from the preliminary year, and begin your medical training immediately after completing your secondary school education.
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Earn your Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). This is an undergraduate medical degree. The degree requires five years of pre-clinical and clinical coursework and culminates with a one year of work experience in a hospital setting.
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Fulfill the residency requirements of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. These generally include a year-long internship. While technically anyone holding an MBBS can be called a doctor, you must complete your internship before you can apply for a license to practice medicine.
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Tips & Warnings
Nigerian medical colleges are notoriously overcrowded. Keep this in mind when selecting a university, as a smaller class size (particularly in clinical and surgery labs) will benefit your education.
