Graduates from the University of Ibadan College of Medicine and Dentistry are facing a serious setback with the issuance of their certificates, causing considerable delays in their professional progress.
Two years after their December 2022 graduation, the affected individuals are still awaiting their hard-earned certificates, hindering their career advancements.
Expressing their frustration, the graduates of the MBBS 2022 and BDS 2023 classes penned a letter to the University management on July 11, 2024, highlighting the challenges they have been facing due to the delay. The absence of their certificates has created significant professional and academic barriers, preventing them from obtaining the necessary credentials to progress in their careers.
One of the major impacts of the delay is the hindrance it poses to their professional licensure. The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria requires the university certificate for the issuance of a permanent license. Without their certificates, the graduates are unable to obtain the license and continue their practice in the field.
Moreover, the delay also affects their participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program and the pursuit of international opportunities such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). These graduates are eager to contribute to society and advance internationally, but the absence of their certificates is blocking their aspirations.
In light of this situation, the graduates have urgently requested the university to provide provisional or electronic certificates as interim solutions while the official documents are being prepared. They emphasize the importance of considering their plea with empathy and urgency to alleviate the challenges they are currently facing.
When contacted by SaharaReporters, the institution’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Adejoke Akinpelu, acknowledged that the management had just become aware of the issue. The office of the Registrar has taken charge of the matter to investigate and address the delay in issuing the certificates.
The University of Ibadan’s two-year delay in issuing medical certificates has not only put the careers of these graduates on hold but has also highlighted the need for efficient administrative processes to avoid such setbacks in the future. The affected individuals are hopeful that the university will take swift action to rectify the situation and ensure the timely issuance of their certificates, enabling them to pursue their professional aspirations without further delay.
