Admission: As Nigeria Urgently Needs More Medical Students

During our last writing, we advised students to consider more medical courses in 2024 and henceforth. However, this should be questionable, as we all know the most competitive courses are in the medical field. Why are many students considering leaving that to the fittest? Why advise them to reconsider one or two more times?

In this post, we are not only giving students who are considering quitting chasing medicine, but nursing, pharmacy, medical laboratory science, and many other related courses also pat on the shoulders to try a few more times, we're supporting our claim with the latest reports in the education and medical sectors.

Nigeria Has Never Needed Medical Practitioners This Much

It was reported in 2022 that Nigeria needed about 363,000 doctors to serve its ever-growing population. However, only 24,000 were available (or are left, we should say). This 6.61% shortfall was blamed on the relocation of these professionals abroad. The report stressed further that Nigerian doctors emigrated to seek greener pastures in developed countries, noting that 5,600 of them have migrated to the United Kingdom (UK) alone in the last eight years.

Even with the claim that Nigeria produces almost four times the number of doctors it has, that is still lower than the 10 percent of the number needed to meet WHO recommendations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria requires a mix of 23 doctors, nurses, and midwives per 10,000 population to deliver essential health services. With a population of 229,152,217 (still counting) as of 2024, the need for more medical personnel has been this pronounced.

Still on WHO's standard, Nigeria, with an estimated population of 180 million (in 2018), needed at least 300,000 medical doctors. Today, with the population at 229,152,217, the required number of medical doctors should be approximately 381,365.

Although there is more data to show the urgent need for doctors in our hospitals, other health practices are much needed. Just recently, while declaring the new policy to increase the number of medical schools and medical student intake at various institutions across Nigeria, the Minister of Health also hinted at plans to expand the initiative to all other health professionals like pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapists, community health extension workers, radiographers, and others. This is an indication that healthcare workers have been identified to be required widely.

It is rational to question why only a few students are being admitted into programs such as Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, etc. if truly Nigeria needs more health practitioners. Well, the answer is as simple these courses are being controlled to ensure that qualified candidates are not unemployed at the end of their programs. However, now that things have gone south for the country with the rate practitioners have moved out of the country, the federal government is now taking urgent steps to fill in the deficient gaps.

Retry If You've Tried Before, Consider It If You Haven't

I know some students have tried again to gain admission into medicine, nursing, and others in the past without success. Many have given up already, with some considering that option. There may be a need to retry if you've lost hope or if you're interested due to experienced competition; you should try now. You asked why?

In a bid to address the critical shortage of healthcare workers in Nigeria arising from the mass exodus of professionals, the federal government has increased the quota of admission into Medical Schools in Nigeria by 100 percent. This means accredited medical schools will henceforth admit double the number of students they hitherto admitted in 2024 to increase the number of medical and dental graduates in the country.

The approval is for 41 fully accredited medical schools and 7 partially accredited medical schools. This means 9,610 students will now be admitted, against 4,805 across the schools.

The new approval for fully accredited schools is as follows:

1. College of Health Sciences, Abia State University Uturu, Abia State, from 120 to 240
2. College of Health Sciences, University of Uyo, Akwalbom. 150 to 300
3. College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State. 100 to 200
4. College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Borno State. 150 to 300
5. College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Cross -Rivers State. 150 to 300
6. College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State. 120 to 240
7. College of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. 100 to 200
8. College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin-City, Edo State. 150 to 300
9. College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University Okada, Edo State. 120 to 240
10. College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Edo State. 50 to 100
11. College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu State. 180 to 360
12. College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, 120 to 240
13. College of Medicine, Imo State University Owerri, Imo State. 50 to 100
14. College of Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State. 180 to 360
15. College of Medicine, Bayero University Kano, Kano State. 150 to 300
16. College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Kwara State. 150 to 300
17. College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos State. 150 to 300
18. College of Medicine, Lagos State University Ikeja, Lagos State. 100 to 200
19. Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago 75 to 150
20. College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University-Ife, Osun State 100 to 200
21. College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State. 180 to 360
22. College of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Plateau State. 150 to 300
23. College of Health Sciences, Madonna University Elele, Rivers State 120 to 240
24. College of Health Sciences, University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State 150 to 300
25. College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto State. 150 to 300
26. College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Osun State 120 to 240
27. College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, 50 to 100
28. Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State 50 to 100
29. College of Health Sciences, Bingham University Karu, Nasarawa State. 100 to 200
30. College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State 150 to 300
31. College of Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Awka, Anambra State. 120 to 240
32. College of Health Sciences, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State 100 to 200
33. College of Health Sciences, Babcock University, Ilishan- 120 to 240
34. College of Health Sciences, University of Abuja 75 to 150
35. College of Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State 200 to 400
36. College of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti 50 to 100
37. College of Medicine, Kaduna State University, 70 to 140
38. College of Medical Sciences, Gombe State University 60 to120
39. University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, Ondo State 100 to 200
40. College of Medicine & Health Sciences, GregoryUniversity, Uturu, Abia, 75 to 150
41. College of Medicine, Edo University, Iyamho, Edo State 100 to 200
42. College of Health Sciences, Nile University, Abuja, 100 to 200

For partially accredited medical schools:

1. College of Health Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, 60 to 120
2. Pamo University of Medical Sciences, Port-Harcourt 100 to 200
3. College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University Port-Harcourt 200 to 400
4. Eko University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Ijanikin, Lagos 50 to 100
5. College of Medicine and Allied Health Professions, Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa 50 to 100
6. College of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State 100 to 200
7. College of Medicine, Alex Ekwuerne Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi 50 to 100.

The above list is contained in the letter titled: RE: Ministerial Initiatives Toward Increasing The Production of The Human Resources For Health In Nigeria with Ref. No. MDCN/ 1018/Vol. I, dated 2nd January 2024.

Final Thought

In light of the urgent need for healthcare professionals in Nigeria, especially in the medical field, aspiring students must recognize the significant opportunities now available for admission into medical and other health-related courses. The recent decision by the federal government to double the admission quota for medical schools is a clear indication of the pressing demand for skilled healthcare workers in the country.

For students who have previously attempted to gain admission into medical programs without success, or for those who are considering pursuing a career in healthcare but hesitated due to fierce competition, now is the time to reconsider and take action. With the increased number of available slots in accredited medical schools across Nigeria, there's a greater chance for aspiring healthcare professionals to fulfill their dreams and contribute to addressing the critical shortage of medical practitioners in the country.

The expansion of admission quotas not only reflects the government's commitment to bridging the gap in healthcare delivery but also signifies a proactive approach to meet the growing healthcare needs of Nigeria's population. Therefore, students who may have felt discouraged or uncertain about their prospects in the medical field should take this opportunity to reevaluate their goals and pursue their aspirations with renewed confidence.

It's important for both students and parents to understand the significance of this development and to recognize the valuable role that healthcare professionals play in safeguarding the health and well-being of society. By seizing the opportunity to pursue medical and other health-related courses, students not only invest in their own future but also contribute to the collective effort to strengthen Nigeria's healthcare system.

In conclusion, the increased admission quotas present a golden opportunity for aspiring healthcare professionals to make a meaningful impact in addressing Nigeria's healthcare challenges. By embracing this opportunity and persevering in their pursuit of medical education, students can play a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare in Nigeria while fulfilling their own career aspirations.

Sources:

1. "Brain Drain: Nigeria needs 363,000 doctors but has only 24,000" Source: Premium Times Nigeria
2. "Survival strategies, poor facilities forced us out — Nigerian doctors practicing abroad" Source: Punch NG
3. "Nigeria Population 2024 (Live) - World Population Review" Source: World Population Review
4. "Japa: FG increases admission quota into medical schools by 100%" Source: BusinessDay NG