Nigerian Medical Students' Association

In 1968, a group of students founded NiMSA to represent Nigerian medical students in Nigeria and the diaspora, bringing the Nigerian medical students together as one body to discuss ideas, share information, and voice their opinions and concerns. Since then, the Nigerian Medical Students Association has grown and evolved into one large student representative body. NiMSA attained[4] a full membership status of the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA) in 1970, creating an environment for research collaboration and opportunity for recognition and Internship at WHO, WMA, WFPHA, UNESCO, UNFPA, UN, and the likes along with 1.3 million medical students in over 100 countries worldwide.

The association has had 30 presidents to date.

The purpose of creating NiMSA was to integrate Medical students across medical colleges in Nigeria and to allow its members to take their vision and making them a reality.

NiMSA allows its Members to create an impact on the local level on many global health topics through carrying out activities.

For the over 45 member medical student associations to work together, NiMSA has created an organizational structure that facilitates the completion goals and coordination of all activities. The main pillars of NiMSA international structure are as follows:

• The Executive Council

The Executive Council is responsible for the daily running of the association and deals with issues such as publicity, internal and external relations, administration, finances, fundraising, partnerships, correspondence e.t.c.

1. The President,
2. The Vice President of Internal Affairs, and External Affairs,
3. The Presidents of registered member Medical Student Associations,
4. The Secretary-General,
5. The Treasurer,
6. The Public Relations Officer,
7. The Directors of Standing Committees,
8. The immediate past President of each member association,
9. Other officers appointed by the President.

• The Standing Committees

NiMSA creates an impact on the local level through medical students and works on activities, projects, and campaigns that align with the international strategy set through NiMSA Programs and works within specific fields called Standing Committees.

The Standing Committees; The Standing Committees are nine in number, each focusing on health topics and medical student-related interests:

1. Standing Committee on Public Health(SCOPH),
2. Standing Committee on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights including HIV and AIDS(SCORA)
3. Standing Committee on Medical Education(SCOME)
4. Standing Committee on Human Rights & Peace(SCORP)
5. Standing Committee on Professional Exchanges(SCOPE)
6. Standing Committee on Research Exchanges(SCORE)
7. Standing Committee on Environmental and Population Activities(SCOEPA)
8. Standing Committee on Capacity Building(SCOCB)
9. Standing Committee on Policy Implementation(SCOPI)
10. Standing Committees governed by Directors, selected by the NiMSA President, who is supported by a team generally consisting of one Local Liaison Officer from every Medical Student Association {MSA}. They are in charge of the standing committee's sessions at their MSAs and contribute to general tasks on the development of their standing committees.

• The General Assembly

The General Assembly is the highest authority and policy-making body of NiMSA, where members decide on the annual priorities, elect the national officials and vote on organizational issues. The General Assembly has convened annually in the 1st week of November at the medical school with the hosting rights and composes of delegates/representatives (maximum of 10) of all registered member medical student associations. The General Assembly scrutinizes and criticizes the activities of the standing committees and the Presidency. The General Assembly also elects the members of the Executive Council and Officers Council every year.

• Regional Directorates

NiMSA comprises six regions - North West, South West, North East, South East, North Central, and South-South. Each region led by a Regional Coordinator, appointed by the National President, foster the outreach of the association and increase collaboration among the MSAs, and at the same time promotes the representation of members and the diversity of cultures within NiMSA.