Another set of Somali medical students arrive in ABU for internship
Ahmadu Bello University has received the second cohort of medical students from Simad University, Mogadishu, Somalia, for internship.
The medical students, who will be in the university for one year internship programme at ABU Teaching Hospital, were received by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Prof Bello Sabo, the Vice-Chancellor expressed delight for the students preference to do the internship in ABU.
While welcoming them, Prof Ahmed said the university was very proud of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between ABU and Simad University.
Prof Ahmed assured the Somali medical interns of the university’s maximum cooperation in ensuring that they maximally benefit from the training.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that being in the university would expose them to different medical techniques that would help in their full practice when they go back to Somalia.
He called on them to dedicate their time to their studies and wished them a happy stay in ABU.
Earlier in a remark, the Director, Directorate of Advancement and International Education, Prof M I Umar-Buratai, said the tradition was that the medical students come to ABU as intern students at ABU Teaching Hospital.
Prof Buratai said the essence was that when they go back to their home country, they would propagate the values of the university.
Also speaking, the new Provost, College of Medical Sciences, Prof Dahiru Samaila Lawal, reiterated that internship was a compulsory training after the completion of medical school.
The Provost said the interns were at the university to fulfill agreement signed on the MoU.
He emphasised that in Nigeria the internship for medical students was coordinated by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), which would issue them license to practice before they are registered.
According to him, in Somalia it was different, because medical students must complete internship before they were issued their certificates.
Prof Dahiru also said the interns would be attached with House Officers under the supervision of a consultant.
Appreciating the Management of Ahmadu Bello University, the Provost College of Medical and Health Sciences, Simad University, Mogadishu, Somalia, Dr Abdi Abdkerem Abdulahi Ahmad, expressed pleasure being in the university.
He thanked the Provost, College of Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, and the immediate past Provost, Prof M S Shehu, for their support to the Somali medical interns.
The Assistant Director, Advancement Services, Linkages, and Partnership Management, Directorate of Advancement and International Education, ABU, Zaria, Dr Ahmed Zakaria, coordinated the coming of the Somali medical interns to the university.
Dr Zakaria also assisted the Director, Advancement and International Education, Prof M I Umar-Buratai in presenting the students to the Vice-Chancellor.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (AHW)
Monday, 20th October, 2025
