Fate of Nigerian Medical Students from Sudan Hangs in the Balance

 

Hundreds of Nigerian medical students who were evacuated from war-torn Sudan in 2023 are still stuck in limbo, nearly two years after escaping the crisis. Despite promises from the Nigerian government and universities, most of these students have not been fully reintegrated into the country’s medical schools leaving their academic futures uncertain.

Many of the students had been studying in Khartoum and other major cities before the conflict broke out, forcing them to abandon their studies mid-session. After a tense evacuation coordinated by the Nigerian government, families and students were assured that transfer arrangements would be made swiftly.

But two years later, frustration is mounting.

“We were told we’d be placed in Nigerian universities to continue our training,” said Blessing Chukwu, a final-year medical student who fled Sudan. “Now, we’re just waiting no clear answers, no progress, and our dreams are on hold.”

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While some students have been placed in schools like the University of Ilorin, UNILAG, and ABU Zaria, the majority remain without placement due to issues ranging from limited capacity, curriculum differences, and regulatory bottlenecks from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

Parents and advocacy groups are now calling for urgent government intervention, warning that a generation of future doctors could be lost.

“These students survived war, made it back home, and now they’re being punished with silence,” said Mr. Salisu Idris, a parent and spokesperson for the affected families. “The federal government must act now.”

Officials from the Federal Ministry of Education say they are working on a phased integration plan, but no clear timeline has been announced.

For now, hundreds of bright young Nigerians remain stuck between hope and heartbreak unsure when, or if, they will wear their white coats again.