NUC Rebuts 11 Years Period for Medical Students

The Nigerian Universities Commission has denied the statement circulated in the media some days ago that medical students in Nigeria would henceforth spend 11 years in universities before obtaining an MBBS degree.

The statement which was credited to the Deputy Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Chiedu Mafiana who represented Prof. Julius Okojie at the maiden matriculation and inauguration of the University of Medical Science, Ondo, where he delivered a lecture titled ‘Development of Medical Education: Prospects and Challenges’.

However, the Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie, has said that the reports are baseless and false.

He stated that the new Benchmark Minimum Academic Standard (BMAS) for Medicine and Dentistry, which had since been made public by commission, only provides for a-seven-year training, leading to the award of MBBS/MDS.

Okojie said: “A-seven year MBBS programme that encompass a seamless four- year acquiring the B.SC. Basic Medical Science with interest in either Anatomy/Physiology/Biochemistry.

“At the end of seven years, students would have acquired the Bachelor of Medical Science, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees. In case of dental programmes, students would have acquired a degree in Basic Dental Sciences and Bachelor of Dental Surgery.