Sudanese Returnees Appeal To Nigerian Universities For Admission

Nigerian students repatriated from conflict-stricken Sudan have expressed their frustrations with the complex procedures for securing admission into Nigerian universities.

In May 2023, a total of 2,518 stranded Nigerians were brought back from Sudan due to the ongoing unrest. On June 7, 2023, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) announced the guidelines for facilitating the enrollment of Nigerian students returning from conflict-affected countries like Sudan into tertiary institutions.

According to Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of JAMB, the emergency transfer process for returning students requires each individual to undergo a retrospective registration with the Ministry of Education.

Nonetheless, some of the students have shared their difficulties in gaining admission to their selected Nigerian universities, citing a challenging journey.

Umar Abubakar, former student and President of the Jigawa State Students’ Association in Sudan, revealed that many of his essential documents remained in Sudan. He explained that obtaining clearance from the Ministry of Education had proven to be an arduous task due to the ongoing crisis. Abubakar added that the process was particularly challenging for a large number of former Sudan-based students.

Ismail Abubakar, Vice President of the Katsina State Students Association in Sudan, expressed his disappointment at not receiving admission to Bayero University, Kano, despite submitting his application to JAMB.

Amira Tafida, an ex-Medical student at Hayat University College, shared her experience of waiting for a response from her chosen school, Eko University of Medical and Health Sciences in Lagos, regarding the assessment process for admission.

Abdulsalam Maikano, a 300-level ex-student of Information and Communication Technology, recounted his efforts to undergo the evaluation process mandated by JAMB to secure admission into Nigerian universities.

Zainab Mohammed, a final-year pharmacy student at Sudan International University, mentioned that she is currently participating in online lectures from her Sudanese institution while awaiting further updates.

These students continue to grapple with the challenges posed by the admission process as they seek to pursue their education in Nigeria.