GoldenNewsNG
  • Home
  • News
  • Education
  • Business
  • Jobs
  • Daily Guides
  • About Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Home
  • News
  • Education
  • Business
  • Jobs
  • Daily Guides
  • About Us
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
Golden News
No Result
View All Result

It Takes How Many Years to Study Medicine in Nigeria?

henry by henry
March 28, 2025
in Education
Reading Time: 4 mins read
It Takes How Many Years to Study Medicine in Nigeria?
22
SHARES
Advertisements

Many people in Nigeria want to become doctors. Medicine is one of the most respected courses to study in the country. Doctors help sick people, save lives, and play a big role in hospitals. But how many years does it take to study medicine in Nigeria? This is a common question among students who dream of becoming doctors.

The simple answer is that studying medicine in Nigeria takes many years. It is not an easy journey. It requires patience, hard work, and a lot of studying. To become a doctor, you must pass through different stages of education and training.

READ ALSO

JAMB Awards ₦710 Million to Six Tertiary Institutions for Outstanding Admission Practices

JAMB Cut Off Mark for Civil Engineering 2025/2026 in Nigerian Universities

In this blog post, we will explain how long it takes to study medicine in Nigeria, the steps involved, and what you need to do at each stage.

 

Understanding The Journey To Becoming A Doctor In Nigeria

Becoming a doctor in Nigeria is not something that happens overnight. It is a long process that requires dedication. Before you can practice as a doctor, you must complete several years of study and training.

The journey begins from secondary school, then to university, then to medical school, and finally, to practical training. Each stage takes time, and skipping any of these steps is not possible.

Let’s break down each stage step by step.

 

Secondary School Education

The first step to becoming a doctor in Nigeria is to complete secondary school. This stage usually lasts for six years.

To study medicine, students must focus on science subjects. These subjects include:

• Mathematics
• English language
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology

These subjects are important because they prepare students for higher education in the medical field. If you do not do well in these subjects, it will be very difficult to gain admission into medical school.

At the end of secondary school, students must take the senior secondary certificate examination (ssce). This exam is conducted by waec, neco, or nabteb. To study medicine, students must get good grades, especially in mathematics, english, physics, chemistry, and biology.

 

Writing Jamb And Post-utme

After finishing secondary school, the next step is to write the joint admissions and matriculation board (jamb) exam. Jamb is an important exam that determines whether you will enter a university.

To study medicine, you must score very high in jamb. Medicine is a very competitive course, so universities only admit students with the highest scores. Many universities require a jamb score of at least 280 to 300 and above for medicine.

After passing jamb, students must also write the post-utme exam. This is another exam conducted by universities to select the best students. Only those who pass the post-utme will be given admission to study medicine.

 

How Many Years Does It Take To Study Medicine In Nigeria

The number of years it takes to study medicine in Nigeria depends on different factors. These include:

1. The duration of the medical program in the university

2. If there are any academic strikes or delays

3. If the student fails any course and has to repeat a year

Normally, studying medicine in Nigeria takes at least six years in the university. However, this is just the university stage. There are other stages after university. If we add everything together, it takes about ten to eleven years or even more to fully become a doctor in Nigeria.

 

Breaking Down The Years Of Studying Medicine

To fully understand how long it takes, let us break it down:

1. Secondary School – 6 years

2. University (medical school) – 6 years

3. Housemanship (practical training) – 1 year

4. NYSC (National Youth Service Corps) – 1 year

This means that from secondary school to fully becoming a doctor, it takes at least ten to eleven years in Nigeria. But in some cases, it may take longer.

 

Understanding the Six Years Of Medical School

Once you get admission into a university to study medicine, you will spend a minimum of six years before you can graduate. These six years are divided into different stages.

First Year – pre-degree or foundation courses

The first year of studying medicine is usually general science. Students take courses in biology, chemistry, and physics. This stage is called the pre-medical year.

Second And Third Years – basic medical sciences

In the second and third years, students study subjects like:

• Anatomy – the study of the human body

• Physiology – the study of how the body works

• Biochemistry – the study of chemical processes in the body

At this stage, students learn about the structure and functions of the body. They also start attending practical classes in the laboratory.

Fourth And Fifth Years – clinical training

In the fourth and fifth years, students move to clinical training. This means they start learning in hospitals. They learn about different diseases, treatments, and how to diagnose patients. They also study subjects like:

• Pathology – the study of diseases

• Pharmacology – the study of medicines

• Surgery – learning how to perform operations

• Obstetrics and gynecology – learning about pregnancy and childbirth

At this stage, medical students start wearing white coats and working with doctors in hospitals.

Sixth Year – final medical training

The sixth year is the final year of medical school. Students spend most of their time in the hospital. They work closely with doctors and treat real patients under supervision. This year prepares students for life as full doctors.

After the final year, students take the mbbs final exam. If they pass, they graduate and become medical doctors. But they are not yet fully licensed to practice. They still need more training.

Housemanship – one year of practical training

After medical school, every new doctor must complete one year of housemanship. This is also called an internship. During this period, doctors work in different hospital departments under supervision.

Doctors rotate through different units like surgery, pediatrics (children’s health), and internal medicine. This training is compulsory.

NYSC – One Year Of National Service

After housemanship, doctors must complete one year of nysc. The Nigerian government requires every graduate to serve the country.

During nysc, doctors are posted to hospitals in different states. Some are sent to rural areas where there are not enough doctors.

 

Full Licensing And Specialization

After nysc, doctors can now practice fully in Nigeria. However, some doctors choose to specialize. Specialization means focusing on a particular area of medicine, like surgery, pediatrics, or cardiology (heart diseases).

To specialize, doctors must go for residency training, which takes another four to six years. After that, they can become consultants or experts in their fields.

 

 

Conclusion

Studying medicine in Nigeria takes a long time. From secondary school to becoming a full doctor, it takes at least ten to eleven years. If a doctor wants to specialize, it can take fifteen years or more.

Medicine is not an easy course, but it is rewarding. Doctors help people, save lives, and make a big difference in society. If you want to become a doctor, be ready to work hard, stay patient, and never give up.

📢 JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP 📢 JOIN OUR TELEGRAM CHANNEL
Previous Post

Governor Okpebholo Begins Construction of Ramat Park Flyover in Benin City

Next Post

10 Highest Paying Courses in Nigeria in 2025

Related Posts

JAMB Awards ₦710 Million to Six Tertiary Institutions for Outstanding Admission Practices

JAMB Awards ₦710 Million to Six Tertiary Institutions for Outstanding Admission Practices

JAMB has Awarded ₦710 Million to Six Tertiary Institutions for Outstanding Admission Practices GoldenNewsNg reports that the Joint Admissions and...

Read moreDetails

JAMB Cut Off Mark for Civil Engineering 2025/2026 in Nigerian Universities

JAMB Cut Off Mark for Civil Engineering

JAMB Cut Off Mark for Civil Engineering 2025/2026 in Nigerian Universities    If you’re planning to study Civil Engineering in...

Read moreDetails

NELFUND Begins Disbursement of Funds to Students in Saapade, MAPOLY, and LASUED

NELFUND Begins Disbursement of Funds

NELFUND Begins Disbursement of Funds to Students in Saapade, MAPOLY, and LASUED GoldenNewsNg reports that the Federal Government has announced...

Read moreDetails

Official JAMB Cut Off Mark for Medicine and Surgery 2025/2026 In Nigerian Universities

Official JAMB Cut Off Mark for Medicine and Surgery 2025/2026 In Nigerian Universities

Official JAMB Cut Off mark for Medicine and Surgery 2025/2026   If you’re planning to study Medicine and Surgery in...

Read moreDetails

Official JAMB Cut Off Mark For Computer Science 2025/2026: Requirements And Admission Tips

JAMB Cut Off Mark For Computer Science

JAMB Cut Off Mark For Computer Science 2025: Requirements And Admission Tips   Are you aiming to study Computer Science...

Read moreDetails

Official JAMB Cut-Off Mark for Law in Nigerian Universities 2025

Official JAMB Cut-Off Mark for Law in Nigerian Universities 2025

JAMB Cut Off Mark For Law in Nigerian Universities 2025 Are you planning to study Law in a Nigerian university...

Read moreDetails

Official JAMB Cut-off Marks for 2025 Admissions Released

Official JAMB Cut-off Marks for 2025 Admissions Released

JAMB has officially released the Cut-off Marks for 2025 Admissions  GoldenNewsNg reports that JAMB has announced 2025/2026 academic session admission...

Read moreDetails

SUG Leaders tasked to join fight against Sexual, Gender Based Violence in Higher Institutions across Niger state

  ... Want bill on sexual harassment passed into law Group photograph As part of efforts to end Sexual and...

Read moreDetails

DESOPADEC set to Commence N50,000 Bursary Payment

DESOPADEC Begins N50,000 Bursary Payouts in August

DESOPADEC to Begin Bursary Payment and Commission Completed Projects Across Delta Communities GoldenNewsNg reports that the Delta State Oil Producing...

Read moreDetails

NYSC Opens Portal for 2025 Remobilization

NYSC Opens Portal for 2025 Remobilization

NYSC Portal is live for 2025 Remobilization   GoldenNewsNg reports that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has officially announced...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
10 Highest Paying Courses in Nigeria in 2025

10 Highest Paying Courses in Nigeria in 2025

SEARCH ADS

Latest Posts

FG Orders Banks to Flag Accounts with Monthly Transactions Over ₦5 Million
business

FG Orders Banks to Flag Accounts with Monthly Transactions Over ₦5 Million

JAMB Awards ₦710 Million to Six Tertiary Institutions for Outstanding Admission Practices
Education

JAMB Awards ₦710 Million to Six Tertiary Institutions for Outstanding Admission Practices

JAMB Cut Off Mark for Civil Engineering
Education

JAMB Cut Off Mark for Civil Engineering 2025/2026 in Nigerian Universities

NELFUND Begins Disbursement of Funds
Education

NELFUND Begins Disbursement of Funds to Students in Saapade, MAPOLY, and LASUED

Official JAMB Cut Off Mark for Medicine and Surgery 2025/2026 In Nigerian Universities
Education

Official JAMB Cut Off Mark for Medicine and Surgery 2025/2026 In Nigerian Universities

JAMB Cut Off Mark For Computer Science
Daily Guides

Official JAMB Cut Off Mark For Computer Science 2025/2026: Requirements And Admission Tips

Official JAMB Cut-Off Mark for Law in Nigerian Universities 2025
Education

Official JAMB Cut-Off Mark for Law in Nigerian Universities 2025

Official JAMB Cut-off Marks for 2025 Admissions Released
Education

Official JAMB Cut-off Marks for 2025 Admissions Released

YEIDEP Disbursement News Today July 8th 2025
Headline

YEIDEP Disbursement News Today July 8th 2025

Apply Now: 2025 FG Technical Teachers Training (Fully Funded)
Headline

Apply Now: 2025 FG Technical Teachers Training (Fully Funded)

© 2024 Golden News

  • About Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms And Conditions
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Education
  • Business
  • Jobs
  • Daily Guides
  • About Us
  • Advertise with Us

© 2024 Golden News