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.
The initiative, which focuses on the NCLEX-RN and the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and Step 1, is aimed at positioning Nigerian healthcare professionals for global employment opportunities.
Speaking on the development, Chancellor of Mudiame University, Prof Sunny Eromosele, said the centre would offer 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 pass international licensing examinations.
The move followed recent engagements by the university 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 international collaboration.
The agreement will see US-based medical education consultant, Dr Elochukwu Jude Ezekakpu, serve as Educational Consultant and Programme Director, providing instructional leadership and overseeing the development and implementation of the training curriculum.
Speaking on the initiative, the university said the centre would address a longstanding gap in the preparation of Nigerian medical graduates, many of whom struggle to pass international qualifying examinations due to inadequate structured training.
While some of these examinations are conducted outside Nigeria, including in Ghana, candidates often lack the practical application skills and test-taking strategies required for success.
The new centre is expected to bridge this gap by combining theoretical instruction with practical, competency-based training, mentorship, and performance tracking.
According to the university, the programme will not be limited to its students but will be open 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 added that the centre would also enhance its academic offerings, improve graduate outcomes, and increase success rates in international licensing examinations.
Beyond the training, the University which has been accredited by the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) to offer medical sciences alongside existing MoU with Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) is being positioned as a hub for international healthcare education.
The university noted that the model was drawn from the previous experience of its parent company, Mudiame International Limited in technical training within the oil and gas sector, where it has supported the development of skilled professionals now working both locally and internationally.
The NCLEX and USMLE centre already launched this week, meant that the university had already commenced the programme.
Eromosele said the development would contribute to the growing trend of exporting skilled medical labour, as Nigerian healthcare professionals continue to 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. His background includes faculty appointments in clinical education and simulation training, where he has mentored healthcare professionals and supported candidates preparing for high-stakes international examinations.
