41 IBBUL MBBS Students Break 33-Year Record, Excel in Transfer Programme at ABU Zaria

Forty-one medical students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, who were transferred to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, have made history as the first set since the establishment of the University’s College of Health Sciences to pass their professional medical examinations without a single resit, thereby breaking a 33-year academic record.

The Vice-Chancellor of IBBUL, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, disclosed this while receiving the students who returned from ABU Zaria after completing the transfer programme, describing their success as a major milestone for the College of Health Sciences, the University and the Niger State Government.

Professor Sulaiman said the achievement was particularly significant because information conveyed to him from Zaria indicated that it was the first time an entire set of students transferred from another university had passed at ABU Zaria. “This is the first time that a whole set has passed in ABU. You have broken a 33-year record,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor commended the Niger State Government, particularly the Visitor and Governor, Farmer Umar Mohammed Bago, for providing the financial support that enabled the students to undertake the programme at ABU Zaria. He said the government’s intervention, which included funding for the students’ fees and accommodation, demonstrated confidence in the institution and its students.

Professor Sulaiman also disclosed that the Governor had approved several interventions aimed at strengthening the University’s College of Health Sciences and teaching hospital infrastructure. According to him, the approvals include the upgrading of the University Guest House, the upgrading of the General Hospital, Minna, and partial completion of the permanent IBBUL Teaching Hospital at the Shiroro Hotel site, among others.

He encouraged the students to remain humble, respect their lecturers, continue studying hard and eventually consider returning to IBBUL to contribute to teaching, research and clinical services.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Aliyu Abubakar, commended the Vice-Chancellor for creating the necessary academic environment and providing the support that enabled the 41 medical students to excel in their professional examinations at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Professor Mohammed Aliyu Bello, urged them not to become overconfident, stressing that their achievement marked only the beginning of a demanding journey in medicine.

Appreciating the Visitor, the pioneer MBBS Class President, Comrade Jamilu Mikayilu, expressed gratitude for the support that enabled the students to successfully complete their medical training at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

He described the achievement as a moment of both joy and mixed emotions as they prepared to continue their medical education away from their home institution, recalling the initial concerns about the facilities and learning environment they would encounter at ABU Zaria.

Comrade Mikayilu commended the lecturers of IBBUL for laying a strong academic foundation for the students, noting that their preparation was recognised by their counterparts at ABU Zaria.

In his closing remarks, the Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki, represented by the Academic Secretary, Malam Adamu Isah, appreciated the Visitor and Niger State Governor, Farmer Umar Mohammed Bago, for providing the enabling environment and necessary support that contributed to the students’ success. He said the level of support and treatment accorded the students demanded an equally impressive result, stressing that “to whom much is given, much is expected.”

He also commended the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management, as well as the College of Health Sciences, for laying a solid academic foundation that prepared the students for the achievement and urged the students to sustain the momentum, remain focused and committed throughout their medical training, and continue to uphold the reputation of IBBUL.