Findings showed that most of the medical and dental graduates performed poorly in the CBT.

In the list of shortlisted candidates obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, it was noted that a total of 836 candidates with medical degrees from foreign universities were shortlisted for the examination at the first instance.

The result of the examination, which was also obtained by our correspondent on Monday, revealed that only 403 passed.

There are reports that every year, thousands of Nigerians aspiring to become medical doctors and dentists enrol in foreign universities, spend a fortune on tuition and accommodation fees, and dedicate between four and seven years to pursuing the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery course.

Among the favourite destinations for Nigerians studying medicine are Ukraine, Sudan, Cyprus, Egypt, The Caribbean, Russia, Belarus, India, Hungary, Guyana, Niger Republic, and Benin Republic. But on completion of their studies abroad, to get a licence to practise in Nigeria, they are required to pass the MDCN assessment.

The MDCN is the body that regulates the practice of Medicine, Dentistry, and Alternative Medicine in the country to safeguard the nation’s health care system.

The MDCN conducts the assessment twice a year. The examination tests the candidates’ ability to apply their basic medical sciences and clinical skills in a health care setting. According the MDCN Registrar, Dr Tajudeen Sanusi, the assessment examination was a global practice.