NewStats: 3,264,047 , 8,182,408 topics. Date: Monday, 09 June 2025 at 12:21 PM 76t23

A total of 529 foreign-trained medical and dental graduates failed the assessment examination conducted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

This is according to the examination report obtained from the MDCN on Sunday.

The two-day assessment examination was conducted on Wednesday, July 12, and Thursday, July 13, 2023, at the University College Hospital, Ibadan in Oyo State.

The MDCN said 704 medical and 30 dental foreign-trained graduates participated in the assessment examination.

The council, however, said only 189 medical graduates and 16 dental graduates ed the examination.

It also revealed that 515 medical graduates and 14 dental graduates failed the examination.

The PUNCH reports that the MDCN assessment examination is compulsory for all foreign-trained doctors who plan to practise in Nigeria.

The assessment examination tests the candidates’ ability to apply their basic medical sciences and clinical skills in a health care setting.

Commenting on the result, the MDCN Registrar, Dr Tajudeen Sanusi, said, “The is at 27.4 per cent, which is poor. However, the assessment exam is necessary because we cannot put the health of Nigerians in jeopardy; it is better we have a few doctors than have doctors that will put the health of Nigerians in danger. All hands must be on deck to put this country in the right place.”

According to him, the assessment examination is a required global practice.

“It’s a global practice that if you train in a particular jurisdiction and, you want to go to another jurisdiction, you subject yourself to an assessment exam. Even if you are a professor of medicine here and you’ve never practised in the United Kingdom or the United States, when you go there, you subject yourself to their assessment exam. So, it’s a global practice,” he said.

https://punchng.com/529-foreign-trained-doctors-failed-medical-exam-mdcn/

Lobatan. Foreign doesn't mean better.They should study harder for the resit. Check my signature for free stuffs!

They should be specific of what they meant by foreign-trained medical graduates.
I observed it is very easy to obtain an MBBS/BDS degree from other African institutes compared to European. I won't be surprised that the majority of those who failed this assessment were students who couldn't make it in Nigerian institutions but made it big in University of Sudan, Gambia, Mozambique, Cameroon, Lesotho, etc. Thumbs up to MBBS graduates of Uniport, UI, Unilag, UNN, etc, if they can succeed through the rigorous training here they can succeed anywhere in the world

It is concerning to hear that 529 foreign-trained doctors failed a medical exam conducted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). This raises questions about the quality of medical education and training in these foreign institutions.

The MDCN plays a vital role in ensuring the competence and proficiency of doctors in Nigeria. The fact that such a high number of foreign-trained doctors failed the exam highlights the importance of stringent assessment measures to maintain patient safety and uphold medical standards.

It is crucial for the MDCN to thoroughly investigate the reasons behind this high failure rate. Factors such as inadequate education, lack of clinical exposure, or insufficient preparation for the exam must be addressed to prevent the influx of underqualified doctors into the Nigerian healthcare system.

Simultaneously, it is essential to evaluate Nigerian medical schools' capacity to produce enough well-trained doctors to meet the growing healthcare needs of the population. If the country is heavily relying on foreign-trained doctors to bridge the healthcare gap, it is essential to ensure that they receive the necessary and guidance to successfully integrate into the healthcare system.

This situation also calls for collaboration between Nigerian and foreign medical institutions to establish stricter quality control measures for medical education and training. Efforts should focus on sharing best practices, regular assessments, and learning from successful healthcare systems globally.

Ultimately, the goal should be to ensure that all doctors practicing in Nigeria, whether foreign-trained or locally educated, meet the highest standards of medical competence and professionalism to guarantee the provision of safe and effective healthcare services to the Nigerian people.

Hmm

Let them try again

g

The Title seems more like ClickBait

May be there is difference between local and foreign ways of assessment.

[quote author=bassdow post=124621075][/quote]

Dr Ajepako wehdone ma. E pele ma

What do they really mean by foreign ? In which countries were they trained?

No wonder UK is packing all our Nigerian trained doctors.

Wahala

What this simply means is that most of the doctors that came here are among the worst from foreign countries.

So while we send most of our best to foreign countries they in turn send most of their worst to our country

Hopefully the wait and the next TEST Ooo because most must have sold their Kiidney to afford cost of Travel

No comment

Wasted money, wasted education… Nigeria trained doctors are better than their abroad counterparts

bassdow:
Hopefully the wait and the next TEST Ooo because most must have sold their Kiidney to afford cost of Travel

[quote author=bassdow post=124621120][/quote]

Benin Republic and Cyprus medical graduates.

It still amazes me why anyone would spend so much studying overseas,only to return to Nigeria to hustle for a licence to practice.

Penny wise,pound foolish venture

Have the required jamb score of 285 to study med/surgery in Nigeria government and going the rigorous daily stress is a prove that Nigerian medical graduates are intelligent

FreeStuffsNG:
Lobatan. Foreign doesn't mean better.They should study harder for the resit. Check my signature for free stuffs!

Are you not in your 50s? why do you reason like this ? Do you understand the concept of irony sarcasm or even propaganda? Before you start jumping to say foreign doesn't mean betterask for data from which these so called foreign trained students are.from!!

People who studied in Cotonou will also tell you they are foreign trained and it's indeed true but

There is a big difference between a doctor trian3d in Russia Israel, united states United Kingdom South Africa, Egypt , , Australia etc and those trained in Ghana , Niger , Ethiopia etc but on paper they are all foreign trained

This is the only thing abroad students don't tell nigerians back home

Let’s take a wild guess. They schooled in Ukraine 🙄

I don't blame those doctors,if u attended Nigerian school it's like the exams are just to make u fail..

really

It still amazes me why anyone would spend so much studying overseas,only to return to Nigeria to hustle for a licence to practice.

Penny wise,pound foolish venture