Mudiame University, Irrua, Edo State, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a specialised centre dedicated to preparing 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 2, is aimed at positioning Nigerian healthcare professionals for global employment opportunities.

Speaking on the development, Eromosele said the centre would deliver 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 follows the university’s recent engagements 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 strengthening international collaboration.

Under the agreement, US-based medical education consultant, Dr Elochukwu Jude Ezekakpu, will serve as Educational Consultant and Programme Director, providing instructional leadership and overseeing the development and implementation of the training curriculum.

The university said the centre is designed to 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 also 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 enhance its academic offerings, improve graduate outcomes and increase success rates in international licensing examinations.

Beyond training, the university—approved by the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) to offer medical sciences and already in partnership with Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH)—is positioning itself as a hub for international healthcare education.

It noted that the model draws from the 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, which was launched this week, signals that the university has 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.