Forty-one medical students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBUL), Lapai, Niger State, have made history after passing their professional medical examinations at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, without a single resit.
The feat, according to the IBBUL Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, marks the first time since the establishment of the university’s College of Health Sciences that an entire set of its transferred medical students has successfully passed their professional examinations at ABU, breaking a 33-year record.
Prof. Sulaiman disclosed this while receiving the students who recently returned from ABU Zaria after completing the transfer programme.
“This is the first time that a whole set has passed in ABU. You have broken a 33-year record,” the Vice-Chancellor told the students.
He described the achievement as a major milestone for the College of Health Sciences, IBBUL and the Niger State Government, adding that information from ABU indicated that no previous set of students transferred from another university had achieved a 100 per cent pass rate.
Sulaiman commended the Niger State Government, particularly the Visitor and Governor, Umar Mohammed Bago, for funding the students’ programme at ABU Zaria, including their tuition and accommodation.
He said the intervention demonstrated the government’s confidence in IBBUL and its students, while also disclosing that the governor had approved additional interventions to strengthen the university’s College of Health Sciences and teaching hospital infrastructure.
According to him, the approved projects include the upgrading of the university guest house, the upgrading of General Hospital, Minna, and the partial completion of the permanent IBBUL Teaching Hospital at the Shiroro Hotel site, among others.
The Vice-Chancellor urged the students to remain humble, respect their lecturers and continue to work hard, adding that they should consider returning to IBBUL after their professional careers to contribute to teaching, research and clinical services.
Earlier, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Aliyu Abubakar, commended the Vice-Chancellor for creating an enabling academic environment and providing the support that contributed to the students’ success at ABU Zaria.
Also speaking, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Mohammed Aliyu Bello, cautioned the students against overconfidence, stressing that the achievement was only the beginning of a demanding journey in the medical profession.
The pioneer MBBS Class President, Jamilu Mikayilu, expressed appreciation to the Niger State Government for the support that enabled the 41 students to complete their medical training at ABU Zaria.
Jamilu described the achievement as a moment of joy mixed with emotions, recalling the initial concerns among the students about the facilities and learning environment they would encounter at ABU.
He, however, commended IBBUL lecturers for laying a strong academic foundation for the students, saying their preparation was recognised by their counterparts at ABU Zaria.
In his closing remarks, the Registrar, Idris Saleh Kusherki, represented by the Academic Secretary, Adamu Isah, also appreciated Governor Bago for providing the support and enabling environment that contributed to the students’ success.
Adamu said the level of support extended to the students demanded an equally impressive result, stressing that “to whom much is given, much is expected.”
He commended the Vice-Chancellor, University Management and the College of Health Sciences for laying the academic foundation that prepared the students for the achievement.
The Academic Secretary urged the students to sustain the momentum, remain focused and committed to their medical training, and continue to uphold the reputation of IBBUL.
