How to become a Doctor in Nigeria: A Step by Step Guide

Becoming a medical doctor has been a dream for a lot of people since childhood. Oh yes, it’s a lovely and respected profession in Nigeria.

Doctors are respected and considered a lifesaver in the world generally. There are various necessary steps that every student should follow to achieve their dream of becoming a doctor in Nigeria successfully. This is why I’ve written this article in order to guide you through those steps seamlessly.

10 steps to becoming a Medical Doctor

Here are simplified steps which an aspiring medical doctor should follow to excel in his or her medical career/profession

Step 1: Excel in Secondary Education

Becoming a medical doctor, the journey begins in your senior secondary school. The medical profession is science-related, so the first step is becoming a science student, where you would be taught subjects like physics, chemistry, and biology.

The foundation/preparation begins with the biology subjects you are taught. During your final year in secondary school, you would write a final examination (WAEC or NECO), which would take you to the next level

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Step 2: Ace the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)

After the completion of your senior secondary school, here comes the big step: you would have to write two examinations (JAMB and UTME), which would grant you entrance into the university of your choice. As a medical student, your jamb course combination would be English, Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

To fully become a medical student, you must score a high score for you to be qualified. Next to the UTME examination conducted by the university of your choice, for which you must also score high. Here is where the competition lies.

Step 3: Earn a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Degree

After gaining university admission, you’ll spend six to seven years earning your MBBS degree, depending on the course you applied for. The curriculum is divided into two main phases:

1. Pre-clinical years (3 years): Focus on basic medical sciences like anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry.
2. Clinical years (3 years): involve hands-on training in various medical specialties.

Participate in medical student associations and volunteer opportunities to gain practical experience. Maintain excellent grades throughout, as your performance can affect your internship placements and future job prospects. If you want to get more details about universities in Nigeria that offer medicine and surgery, make sure you read the article below before you continue reading.

Read More: Nigerian-universities-that-offer-medicine-surgery

Step 4: Complete a One-Year Internship

After graduating with your MBBS, you’ll need to complete a mandatory one-year internship, also known as housemanship. This period allows you to gain hands-on experience in different medical specialties under supervision. You’ll rotate through departments such as Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Step 5: Undertake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

Following your internship, you’ll participate in the one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program. This is a requirement for all Nigerian graduates under 30 years old. As a doctor, you’ll likely be posted to a healthcare facility where you can continue to develop your medical skills while serving the community.

Step 6: Obtain Full Registration with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN)

After completing your internship and NYSC, you’ll be eligible for full registration with the MDCN. This registration is crucial as it allows you to practice medicine independently and get licensed in Nigeria. You’ll need to submit necessary documents and pay the required fees to complete this process.

Step 7: Choose a Career Path or Specialization

At this point, you can choose to start practicing as a general practitioner or pursue further specialization. If you decide to specialize, you’ll need to undertake residency training in your chosen field. This can take an additional 4–7 years, depending on the specialty.

Some popular medical specialties in Nigeria include:

• Internal Medicine
• Surgery
• Pediatrics
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Family Medicine
• Psychiatry

Step 8: Engage in Continuous Medical Education (CME)

Medicine is a field of constant learning and evolution. Stay updated on new medical discoveries, treatment protocols, and technologies by attending workshops, seminars, and conferences organized by medical associations. Consider pursuing additional certifications or advanced degrees to enhance your expertise. Continuous learning will help you provide the best care to your patients throughout your career.

Step 9: Build Your Professional Network

Networking is crucial in the medical profession. Join professional associations like the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and attend medical conferences. Consider mentorship programs, either as a mentee or mentor, as you progress. Engage in community health initiatives to expand your network while contributing to public health. A strong professional network can lead to career opportunities, collaborations, and valuable insights throughout your medical journey.

Various Specializations of Doctor in the Medical Field

Here is a list of the various specialization of medical doctors and its important to know which section you would fit in

• Allergists/Immunologists
• Anesthesiologists
• Cardiologists
• Colon and Rectal Surgeons
• Critical Care Medicine Specialists
• Dermatologists
• Endocrinologists
• Emergency Medicine Specialists
• Family Physicians
• Gastroenterologists
• Geriatric Medicine Specialists
• Hematologists
• Nephrologists
• Neurologists
• Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Ophthalmologists and a lot more…

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Become a Doctor in Nigeria