Dr. Maimunat Suleiman Emerges Overall Best Graduating Medical Student at UDUS

The auditorium of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), was filled with jubilation on Monday, December 22, 2025, as the College of Health Sciences inducted its newest set of medical doctors into the profession. Among the hundreds of graduates swearing their oaths before the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), one name resonated as a symbol of academic excellence: Dr. Maimunat Musa Suleiman.

The provost, College of Health Sciences, Prof. AbdulGaffar O.Jimoh, and Dr. Habeebullahi Adamu formally made the announcement of Dr. Maimunat Musa Suleiman as the overall best graduating student during the award and prize-giving segment of the occasion.

For Dr. Maimunat Musa Suleiman, the recognition was both humbling and a deep fulfillment. 

"It feels incredibly fulfilling and humbling,” she said.”Knowing that years of hard work, sleepless nights, and consistent efforts have finally paid off is truly rewarding.” 

Her booming face of happiness has overshadowed the hard labour and overwhelming days at medical school.

"My main motivation was my family. The joy on my mum’s face at the end of every conquered semester, and the joy and pride on my siblings’ faces whenever I achieved something remarkable, made me realize I couldn’t afford to disappoint,” she added.

It's a testimony to her hard work and resilience toward achieving great strides and setting a positive example for her younger ones, who look up to her as a role model. Her faith and passion for learning also played a huge role in keeping her focused.

My Health Is The Major Challenge– Dr. Muimunat Says

She recounts how health issues were a major challenge in her first and second years, as it took a while for her body system to fully adapted to the Sokoto weather. 

“I always carried medicine around during my first year and was even admitted to the clinic a few days before an examination,” she recalled how it took a toll on her. 

Later on, her time management was affected by being involved in some extracurricular activities that required attention and made her lose focus a bit.

“I had to redefine my purpose and prioritize my tasks. And also, I was able to pull through those hard times with discipline, by reading at every opportunity I got, and praying hard,”

She also learned to see challenges as opportunities to grow stronger and more resilient as the key strategies that amplified her excellence through consistency and proper planning. Making it a habit to study regularly rather than cramming before an examination, reviewing past questions, attending classes– listening attentively, and seeking clarification whenever needed.

Beyond that, she maintained a balanced routine, prioritized prayer, rest, and self-discipline, which helped her stay mentally and spiritually focused.

Her words of encouragement and advice to those who seek academic excellence are "believe in oneself and never underestimate the power of consistency.” Noting that excellence doesn’t happen overnight, it’s built through small daily efforts.

She also urged the students to stay focused, be very prayerful, manage the time wisely, and seek help when needed.

“Above all, keep faith, stay humble, and remember that success isn’t just about grades, but about becoming the best version of yourself. Everything worth doing is worth doing well. No matter what university life throws at you, it shall pass,” she advised.

“Another thing that truly matters is to keep yourself motivated. Have a steady source of motivation that never fails you, something or someone that reminds you why you started. So, when you feel like giving up, look back at your motivation and push even harder,” she concluded.