For those intending to study MBBS in a reputable school in Nigeria, this very article is for you. For clarity, the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) is an undergraduate degree in the medical field.
The country has several medical schools where students can pursue an MBBS degree. In this essay, we will explore the journey of attaining MBBS in Nigeria.
MBBS Program in Nigeria
To pursue an MBBS degree in Nigeria, students must first complete their secondary education and obtain a West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or its equivalents. They must have passed the core science subjects namely Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, as well as English Language and Mathematics.
Achieving good grades in these subjects is crucial as they form the basis for the selection process into medical school.
Next step is you have to apply for admission into one of the accredited medical schools. Of course, there are so many medical schools in Nigeria, both private and public, that National Education Commission (NUC) has accredited to offer MBBS courses.
Some of the popular public institutions that offer MBBS include the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Ahmadu Bello University. Private institutions such as Covenant University and Babcock University also offer MBBS degrees.
The selection process involves passing an entrance exam and meeting specific requirements, such as having a good WASSCE result. After gaining admission, students go through an intense six-year program, which includes both theoretical and practical work.
For instance, students would be taken through basic medical science courses like Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology in their first 3 years of the program.
The later years are spent by students on what we generally call “clinical posting”, where they meet and interact with patients, and of courses gain exposure and expertise in a many medical disciplines like surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and internal medicine.
The program culminates in a final MBBS examination, which is set by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. Students who pass the exam are then inducted into the medical profession and granted the license to practice.
After completing the MBBS degree, doctors can further their studies by pursuing specialties such as Neurosurgery, Cardiology, and Pediatrics in Nigeria or abroad.
Cost of completing an MBBS program in Nigeria
Getting an MBBS degree is a dream of many young students in Nigeria who aspire to make a career in medicine. However, the cost of completing an MBBS program in Nigeria is one of the significant factors that discourage many from pursuing this path.
In this essay, we will explore the various costs associated with completing an MBBS program in Nigeria.
The cost of obtaining an MBBS degree in Nigeria varies depending on the medical school and the type of institution – private or public.
Public institutions like the University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, and the University of Nigeria, among others, have lower tuition fees compared to private medical institutions like Babcock, Bowen, and Igbinedion universities, which are more expensive.
Other expenses that medical students in Nigeria incur include textbooks, lab coats, medical kits, and clinical fees. These can accumulate and make the program more costly. However, students can save on costs by sharing textbooks and purchasing second-hand ones or finding digital copies.
The medical school usually provides the lab coats, while medical kits and clinical fees vary per institution.
The government of Nigeria has a financial aid it provides to students who attend public institutions in an effort to lower the cost of education for her citizens. Please note that each institution in Nigeria has it’s own way of offering financial support to the students.
Breakdown of the cost of completing MBBS program in a federal university in Nigeria
Completing an MBBS program in Nigeria is a significant undertaking that requires a considerable financial investment. Federal universities provide affordable education, including MBBS programs, compared to private universities. In this essay, I will provide a breakdown of the cost of completing an MBBS program in a federal university in Nigeria.
Tuition fees: In comparison to private colleges, the cost of an MBBS program at a federal university in Nigeria is relatively affordable.
If you’re a Nigerian student, you may spend as much as NGN 25,000- NGN 50,000 (thus $70- $140) every academic year in tuition, why on the other hand, foreign students may pay as much as NGN 500,000 (about $1,400) every session, depending on the institution.
Accommodations: Completing an MBBS degree comes with a number of substantial costs, including lodging. The price of housing might vary from NGN 5,000 to NGN 50,000 (about $14 to $140) every session depending on the university. However, the majority of students choose to live off campus, where housing costs could be a little bit more.
Books and stationery: Medical students require various books, stationery and medical equipment. The cost of books in a medical school could range from NGN 50,000 to NGN 200,000 (~$140 – $560) throughout the six-year program. Additionally, medical students are required to purchase stethoscopes, lab coats, scrubs, and other medical supplies.
Clinical training fees: Clinical training is an integral part of an MBBS program. The cost of clinical training fees can range from NGN 20,000 to NGN 50,000 (~$56 – $140) per session.
Other expenses: Other expenses that may be incurred in the course of completing an MBBS program include transportation, internet access, and medical insurance.
Thus, the cost of completing an MBBS program in a federal university in Nigeria ranges from NGN 75,000 – NGN 375,000 ( about $210 – $1,050) per academic year. An international students on the other hand may spend up to NGN 1,175,000 – NGN 2,375,000 (thus $3,300 – $6,650) depending on the university.
Cost of completing MBBS program in a state university in Nigeria
Completing an MBBS program in a state university in Nigeria is another option for students who want to pursue a career in medicine. In this essay, I will provide a breakdown of the cost of completing an MBBS program in a state university in Nigeria.
Tuition fees: For those thinking that state Universities a way too expensive, just not that the fees for an MBBS program in a Nigerian state university is somehow affordable affordable.
If you’re a Nigerian or a native of the state, you could pay about NGN 100,000 – NGN 200,000 (thus $280 – $560) each academic session, but if you’re an international student, you’ll pay a higher amount estimated to be about NGN 500,000 ( thus $1,400) each academic session depending on the university.
Accommodation: Every Nigerian student knows how important accommodation is as a student. As per accommodation during the program, most our Nigerian medical students usually prefer staying off-campus (which is more costly) than staying on-campus.
But general, accommodation budget should be within the range of NGN 5,000 – NGN 50,000 (~$14 – $140) every session.
Books and stationery: Medical students require various books, stationery, and medical equipment. The cost of books in a medical school could range from NGN 50,000 to NGN 150,000 (~$140 – $420) throughout the six-year program.
In addition, ever medical student is required to purchase stethoscopes, lab coats, scrubs, and other medical supplies. You’d find this as extra expense.
Clinical training fees: Clinical training is an integral part of an MBBS program. The cost of clinical training fees can range from NGN 20,000 to NGN 50,000 (~$56 – $140) per session.
Other expenses: Other expenses that may be incurred in the course of completing an MBBS program include transportation, internet access, and medical insurance.
In a nutshell, the cost of completing an MBBS program in a state university in Nigeria ranges from NGN 175,000 to NGN 450,000 ($490 – $1,260) per session, including accommodation, books, and stationery, clinical training fees, and other expenses.
An international students on the other hand may spend up to NGN 1,175,000 – NGN 2,375,000 (thus $3,300 – $6,650), depending on the university.
cost of completing MBBS program in a private university in Nigeria
Many families dread when they hear private universities because of cost. Just chill! Its going down the way you thought.
Yes, completing an MBBS program in a private university in Nigeria is usually more expensive than in public or state universities. But this is due to a higher level of facilities and resources provided by these private universities.
Here is a breakdown of the cost of completing an MBBS program in a private university in Nigeria:
1. School fees: As an MBBS student in a private university in Nigeria, you’d pay higher school fees approximated within the range of NGN 2,000,000 – NGN 5,000,000 (~$5,600 – $14,000) per academic session, depending on the university.
2. Accommodation: Unlike Federal and state universities where students and decide on the kind of accommodation they would prefer, private universities compulsorily would provide the accommodation at a stipulated price.
Based on the what we have gathered from several private universities, the accommodation fee could be within the range of NGN 500,000 – NGN 1,500,000 (~$1,400 – $4,200) per academic session.
Books and stationery: Medical students require various books, stationery, and medical equipment. You will spend nothing less than NGN 500,000 – NGN 800,000 (~$1,400 – $2,240) on books throughout the six year of the program.
In addition, You’d also be required to purchase stethoscopes, a laptop, lab coats, scrubs, and other medical supplies like dissection set, etc.
Clinical training fees: Clinical training as part of the program, has its own fees just in case you don’t know. The cost ranges from NGN 200,000 – NGN 500,000 (~$560 – $1,400) per academic session.
Other expenses: Please make provision for unforeseen expenses, it would surely arise because you’d eventually need money for food, vacation, transportation, internet access, and medical insurance.
In a nutshell, if you are a Nigerian pursuing MBBS program in a private university, you will pay a total of about NGN 3,000,000 – NGN 8,500,000 (approximated at $8,400 – $23,800) per academic session, while international students pay from NGN 5,500,000 – NGN 12,000,000 (approximated at $15,400 – $33,600) every academic session depending on the university.
