2023 Best universities to study medicine and surgery in Nigeria

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There are a lot of universities in Nigeria offering Medicine and Surgery, but in this article you will find out the best universities to study medicine and surgery in Nigeria.

Medicine and Surgery is a 6-year duration course in the university where students will undergo several training in order to study the human anatomy, physiology and biochemistry. Afterwards, students will undergo a one-year internship or housmanship training, and again, Medicine and Surgery is one of the best course to study in order to make money in Nigeria.

In case you don’t, there are a lot of specialties in medicine and surgery for those who want to focus on one aspect instead of practicing general medicine.

You can study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria in;

  • Federal Universities
  • State Universities
  • Private Universities

After we have listed the best universities to study medicine in Nigeria, you will also find out the best Federal, state and private universities to study Medicine and surgery in Nigeria.

In order not to waste your time, let’s look at the best universities to study medicine and surgery in Nigeria.

Best universities to study medicine and surgery in Nigeria

Best universities to study medicine and surgery in Nigeria
  1. University of Ibadan
  2. Obafemi Awolowo University
  3. University of Lagos
  4. University of Ilorin
  5. University of Nigeria, Nsukka
  6. Lagos state university (LASU)
  7. Ahmadu Bello University
  8. Delta state university
  9. University of Benin
  10. University of Calabar
  11. Ambrose Ali University
  12. University of Port Harcourt
  13. Afe Babalola University
  14. Olabisi Onabanjo University
  15. Babcock university

1. University of Ibadan (UI)

The college of Medicine, University of Ibadan is number one on our list of the best universities to study medicine in Nigeria. Medicine and Surgery is placed under the faculty of clinical sciences. The Faculty of clinical sciences was one of the first Faculties created when the University College, Ibadan came into being in the year 1948.

2. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)

The college of health sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University is the second on our list of the best university to study medicine and surgery in Nigeria. Medicine and surgery is under the Faculty of Clinical sciences. The faculty was made up of 11 clinical Department as follows: Anesthesia, Community Health, Dermatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Perinatology, Internal Medicine, Mental Health, Ophthalmology, Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Pediatrics and Child Health, Radiology and surgery.

Students who are admitted into the Faculty are exposed to their preclinical training in core basic medical sciences courses which comprises of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology at the Faculty of basic Medical Sciences during the year 2 and 3 of the six year programme. The Faculty of Clinical Sciences runs the clinical years in Parts IV, V and VI (400, 500 and 600 levels), of the six-year MB.Ch.B. programme for undergraduate medical students.

3. University of Lagos (UNILAG)

In the University of Lagos, Medicine and Surgery is placed under the Faculty of Clinical sciences. Department of Medicine was among the foundation Departments of the College of Medicine which was established by an Act of Parliament in 1962. The Department pursues and emphasizes the teaching of medicine, through good clinical skills backed by equally sound theoretical knowledge in the training of Students of Medicine. The primary duties of the Department are teaching research, and service to the community.

The Department consists of eleven sub-specialty units viz:- Cardiology, Dermatology and Venereology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Haematology and Medical Oncology, Nephrology, Respiratory Medicine, Gastroenterology and Emergency Medicine. There are also newly created units for Infectious diseases and intensive care.

4. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)

In the University of Ilorin, Medicine and Surgery is placed under the faculty of clinical sciences. UNILORIN is another great choice for those who are seeking to gain admission to study Medicine. However, you need to know that UNILORIN has dressing codes for their students anyone who does adhere to their code will face punishment.

5. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

University of Nigeria, Nsukka has Faculty of Medicine. The Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Nigeria was established in 1966. Formal training of medical students did not start until after the civil war in 1970 when the first batch of medical students was admitted. The School operated under the laws of Eastern Region and East Central State of Nigeria until 1978 when the Federal Government of Nigeria promulgated the statute No. 2 of the University of Nigeria Act. This statute established the Faculty as an integral part of the University of Nigeria.

Their undergraduate programme includes both 5 year & 6-year programs leading to the award of MB.BS degree of the University.

6. Lagos state university (LASU)

Medicine and Surgery in LASU is placed under the Faculty of clinical sciences. LASU is one of the best universities to study medicine in Nigeria. Just like other universities, it is very competitive to gain admission to study medicine as a course. LASU is also one of the best state universities we have in Nigeria.

7. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)

Even though, Ahmadu Bello university was established in 1962, The college of medical sciences, Ahmadu Bello university came into being in 1967, which makes it the first college of medical sciences in northern Nigeria. The College of Medical Sciences has since grown to become the largest in this university; with a total of 17 departments. Their Medicine department is placed under the Faculty of clinical sciences.

8. Delta state university (DELSU)

The Faculty of Clinical Medicine, domiciled in The College of Health Sciences started in 2001. The Faculty of clinical medicine has about 13 departments which Medicine is part.

9. University of Benin (UNIBEN)

The University of Benin college of medicine has several departments which Medicine is one. The School of Medicine is the oldest of the Schools and has always been an integral part of the College of Medicine since the foundation of the University and has the largest number of Departments.

Currently, the School of Medicine has about seventeen departments which are: Anaesthesiology, Chemical Pathology, Child Health, Community Health, Haematology, Medical Microbiology, Medicine (Internal), Mental Health, Obtertrics and Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Pathology (Morbid Anatomy), Radiology, Surgery, Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ear, Nose &Throat and Family Medicine.

10. University of Calabar (UNICAL)

The College of medical sciences University of Calabar has several Faculties which Faculty of medicine is one and the faculty is made up of 16 departments which are Internal Medicine, Surgery, Community Medicine, Family Medicine, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Radiology, Otorhinolaryngology, Anaesthesiology, Ophthalmology, Pathology, Haematology, Chemical Pathology, Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, Orthopaedics and Traumatology and Psychiatry.

11. Ambrose Ali University (AAU)

The College of Medicine, Ambrose Ali University has two Faculties which are Faculty of basic medical sciences and faculty of clinical sciences. The department of Medicine is placed under the faculty of clinical sciences.

Ambrose Ali University train Medical Doctors for the sustenance and development of health care delivery in Nigeria in particular and humanity in general.

They provide a sound and professional basis for the training of Doctors capable of working anywhere in Nigeria with other health workers. They ensure the production of Doctors who satisfy internationally recognized standards, and who can undertake further training towards specialization anywhere in the world and also to produce Doctors with sufficient managerial ability to play a leadership role in health care delivery.

12. University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)

In UNIPORT, there are 4 faculties and twenty eight Departments operating under the College of Health sciences and the faculties are; Clinical Sciences, Basic Medical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Dentistry. Medicine and surgery is placed under the Faculty of clinical sciences. If you wish to study medicine and surgery, you can always choose UNIPORT.

13. Afe Babalola University

Afe Babalola university is not only one of the best universities to study medicine in Nigeria, it is also part of one of the best private universities in Nigeria. In case you wish to study Medicine and Surgery as a course and you have the finance then you can opts in for Afe Babalola university.

14. Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU)

Olabisi Onabanjo university is not only one of the best universities to study medicine in Nigeria, it is also one of the best state universities to study medicine in Nigeria. The College of health sciences in Olabisi Onabanjo university has several faculties which the Faculty of clinical sciences is one. The faculty has about 14 departments which Medicine and Surgery is part of the department in the faculty of clinical sciences.

15. Babcock University (BU)

Babcock university is not only one of the best universities to study medicine and surgery in Nigeria, it is also one of the best private universities to study Medicine in Nigeria. Their College of health and medical sciences has various departments which the department of medicine is one. If you are looking for a private university to study medicine and you have the funds to finance yourself, then you can apply for admission into Babcock university.

Now that you have known the best universities to study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria, for those who which to either go to a Federal university, State university or Private university, keep on reading because you are about to find out the:

  • Best federal universities to study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria
  • Best state universities to study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria and
  • Best private universities to study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria

Let us briefly look into them one by one.

Best federal universities to study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria

  1. University of Ibadan
  2. Obafemi Awolowo University
  3. University of Lagos
  4. University of Ilorin
  5. University of Nigeria, Nsukka
  6. Ahmadu Bello University
  7. University of Benin
  8. University of Calabar
  9. University of Port Harcourt

Best state universities to study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria

  1. Lagos state university (LASU)
  2. Olabisi Onabanjo University
  3. Delta state university
  4. Ambrose Ali University
  5. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)
  6. Abia State University Uturu
  7. Ebonyi state university
  8. Imo state university
  9. Enugu state university of science and technology
  10. Anambra state university

Best private universities to study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria

  1. Afe Babalola University
  2. Babcock university
  3. Bowen university
  4. Igbinedion University
  5. Gregory University
  6. Madonna university

Students admitted to study Medicine and Surgery are awarded the MBBS degree and individual is admitted either through JAMB UTME or Direct Entry (DE) for a six-year or five-year programme respectively.

What is the duration to study Medicine in Nigerian universities

It takes a duration of 6 years to study medicine in Nigerian universities for those admitted through JAMB UTME while for the Direct Entry (DE) candidates, it takes 5 years to study medicine in Nigerian universities. Afterwards, you will do one-year housemanship or internship program, and also one-year of NYSC.

JAMB subject combinations for Medicine and Surgery

The subject combinations for Medicine and Surgery in the JAMB examination are;

  • Use of English
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics

While Direct Entry (DE) students must have A’ Level pass in Physics, Chemistry and Biology or 1st Degree in any course in the Biological Sciences in addition to 5 credits in English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology at O’ Level.

WAEC/NECO subject combinations for Medicine and Surgery

Candidate seeking admission to study Medicine and Surgery needs to have at least credit in the following compulsory WAEC or NECO subject combinations;

  • English Language
  • Mathematics
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Biology

For admission to be guaranteed, you must aim either A or B in the above listed subject combinations.

Successful graduates of the MBBS degree programme are well equipped after housemanship to work in Government hospitals, private sectors, academics and research in Universities or Research Institutes and Administration. In case you are wondering about their salary, feel free to read our article on the salary of medical doctors in Nigeria.

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Emmanuel David

I am the fountainhead of Deluxepreneur. With 7 years of experience, I love to write informative articles on careers, celebrity net worths and also step-by-step guides to our readers. Feel free to contact me if you have any inquiries.

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