Medicine and Surgery

Medicine and Surgery is a 6-year MBBS programme offered by Nigerian universities accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The programme combines theoretical foundations with practical training, integrating classroom instruction, laboratory and field work, supervised attachments and a final-year research project. Students progress through 100-level foundation courses (general studies, basic sciences, communication skills), 200- and 300-level core specialisation modules, and 400-level (and 500/600-level where applicable) advanced and professional modules. Core topics covered include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, community medicine, internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, psychiatry, ophthalmology, ENT, dermatology and family medicine. The programme develops competencies in clinical examination, diagnostic reasoning, surgical technique, patient communication, evidence-based medicine, and lifelong learning across rapidly-evolving medical knowledge. The Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) for Medicine and Surgery provides the regulatory framework for curriculum content and quality assurance across all accredited Nigerian universities offering the programme.

Minimum 5 credits in O'Level subjects relevant to the course, including English Language and Mathematics.

Standard O'Level requirement: at least 5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings (WAEC, NECO or NABTEB). Required subjects typically include:

• English Language (compulsory)
• Mathematics (compulsory)
• Three (3) other relevant subjects matching the JAMB combination

Graduates of Medicine and Surgery pursue careers across multiple sectors of the Nigerian and international economy. Common career paths include house officer (mandatory one-year internship), medical officer, registrar, senior registrar, consultant physician/surgeon, public health physician, medical researcher, medical educator, hospital administrator, and locum or private practitioner. Typical employers include federal teaching hospitals (UCH Ibadan, LUTH Lagos, ABUTH Zaria, UNTH Enugu, OAUTHC Ile-Ife, JUTH Jos, AKTH Kano, UPTH Port Harcourt and others), Federal Medical Centres, state-owned hospitals, mission and private hospitals, NGOs and international health organisations (WHO, UNICEF, MSF, Roll Back Malaria), and academic institutions. Earnings typically range from house officers ₦200,000-₦350,000 monthly, registrars ₦400,000-₦600,000 monthly, senior registrars ₦600,000-₦900,000 monthly, and consultants ₦900,000-₦2,500,000+ monthly, varying by sector, employer, geographic location and years of experience. Postgraduate study (Master\'s, MPhil, PhD) is available at Nigerian and international universities, with professional certifications (where relevant to the discipline) providing additional career-advancement opportunities and entry into specialised practice areas.