Varsity signs MoU, launches centre to boost export of medical jobs
Mudiame University, Irrua, Edo State, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a specialised centre for the preparation of candidates for international medical licensing examinations, in a move aimed at expanding global opportunities for Nigerian healthcare professionals. The centre will focus on training candidates for the NCLEX-RN and the United States Medical Licensing […]
Mudiame University, Irrua, Edo State, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a specialised centre for the preparation of candidates for international medical licensing examinations, in a move aimed at expanding global opportunities for Nigerian healthcare professionals.
The centre will focus on training candidates for the NCLEX-RN and the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and Step 2, positioning participants for employment in the United States and other international healthcare systems.
Speaking on the development, Eromosele said the centre would run a structured six-month intensive programme designed to equip medical doctors, nurses and other qualified candidates with the knowledge, clinical reasoning and examination strategies required to succeed in international licensing examinations.
The initiative follows the university’s recent engagement with global partners, including a visit to Meharry Medical College in Tennessee, United States, where discussions were held with key stakeholders on advancing medical training and strengthening international collaboration.
As part of the agreement, US-based medical education consultant, Dr Elochukwu Jude Ezekakpu, will serve as Educational Consultant and Programme Director, providing instructional leadership and overseeing the design and implementation of the training curriculum.
The university said the centre is intended to close a longstanding gap in the preparation of Nigerian medical graduates, many of whom face challenges passing international qualifying examinations due to the absence of structured and targeted training.
Although some of these examinations are conducted outside Nigeria, including in Ghana, candidates often lack the practical application skills and test-taking techniques required for success. The new centre will address this by combining theoretical instruction with practical, competency-based training, mentorship and performance tracking.
According to the university, the programme will be open not only to its students but also to practising healthcare professionals across Nigeria and the wider West African region.
“This is about building a globally competitive healthcare workforce. We are not just training for local relevance, but preparing our professionals to meet international standards and secure opportunities anywhere in the world,” Eromosele said.
The institution noted that the centre would strengthen its academic offerings, improve graduate outcomes and increase success rates in international licensing examinations.
Beyond training, the university—approved by the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) to offer medical sciences and already maintaining a partnership with Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH)—is positioning itself as a hub for international healthcare education.
It added that the model builds on the experience of its parent company, Mudiame International Limited, in technical training within the oil and gas sector, where it has developed skilled professionals now working both locally and internationally.
The NCLEX and USMLE centre, which was launched this week, signals the commencement of the programme.
Eromosele said the initiative would contribute to the growing trend of exporting skilled medical labour, as Nigerian healthcare professionals increasingly seek better opportunities abroad.
“Currently, one of the major challenges facing Nigerian and African medical graduates is the difficulty in passing international qualifying exams. Many candidates struggle due to inadequate preparation. This gap is what the new training centre seeks to address,” he said.
Ezekakpu, who will lead the programme, is a physician-educator with extensive experience in medical education, clinical skills training, simulation-based learning, curriculum development and preparation for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). He also specialises in academic advising and personalised learning plans for healthcare students, with a background that includes faculty appointments in clinical education and simulation training, where he has mentored healthcare professionals and prepared candidates for high-stakes international examinations.