As thousands of candidates prepare for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has confirmed that 62 medical schools across the country are currently accredited to train doctors as of January 2026, offering a clearer picture of where aspiring medical students can legitimately pursue their dreams.
A review of the MDCN accreditation list shows that 45 institutions are fully accredited, while 17 operate under partial accreditation, reflecting both the stability of older medical colleges and the rapid expansion of newer programmes across Nigeria’s higher education landscape. Admission quotas across these institutions vary widely, ranging from 50 to as many as 300 students per academic session, a factor that significantly shapes candidates’ chances during admission.
Public universities, federal and state continue to dominate Nigeria’s medical training system. Long-established federal institutions such as the University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the University of Lagos remain major centres of medical education, each admitting between 150 and 180 students annually. These universities have historically produced a large proportion of Nigeria’s medical workforce and still serve as reference points for quality and clinical exposure.
State universities are also playing an increasingly important role. Institutions like Lagos State University and Rivers State University have expanded their capacities, with Rivers State University standing out nationally as the only medical school approved to admit 300 students per session, the highest quota in the country. This development signals growing state-level investment in medical education amid Nigeria’s persistent doctor-to-population gap.
The private university sector has recorded notable growth over the past decade and now accounts for a significant portion of available medical slots. Established private institutions such as Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nile University, Abuja, and Igbinedion University all hold full accreditation, with quotas ranging from 120 to 200 students. At the same time, several newer private universities, including Baze University and Veritas University, are operating under partial accreditation as they expand teaching hospitals, laboratories, and clinical partnerships required by the MDCN.
Regionally, the distribution of medical schools shows a slight concentration in southern Nigeria, particularly in the South West, which hosts legacy institutions like the University of Ibadan alongside high-capacity private universities. The South South has emerged as a major growth zone, driven largely by Rivers State University’s record-breaking quota and a mix of state and private medical schools.
In the South East, states such as Enugu and Abia have become emerging medical education clusters, with institutions like the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Abia State University maintaining strong enrolment capacities, while several newer programmes remain under partial accreditation. The North Central zone features a blend of federal and private options, including the University of Ilorin and Abuja-based private universities with relatively high quotas.
Northern Nigeria continues to rely on high-capacity mega institutions. In the North West, Bayero University Kano and Ahmadu Bello University together admit hundreds of students yearly, while the North East is led by the University of Maiduguri and Gombe State University, providing critical training capacity in a region historically underserved in healthcare manpower.
From an accreditation standpoint, the presence of 17 partially accredited schools is significant for UTME candidates. While students admitted into such programmes are legally recognised, MDCN regulations limit their intake and progression until full accreditation is achieved. Education analysts note, however, that once these programmes mature, Nigeria could see a substantial increase in the number of trained doctors entering the health system.
For UTME candidates aspiring to study Medicine and Surgery, experts advise looking beyond school reputation alone and paying close attention to accreditation status and approved admission quota, as these directly affect admission chances, clinical exposure, and graduation timelines.
With Nigeria continuing to battle doctor shortages and increasing demand for healthcare services, the expanding list of MDCN-accredited medical schools underscores both opportunity and competition, making informed choices more critical than ever for the next generation of medical students.
