By Charles Igwe
A priest of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu has made groundbreaking history, becoming the first diocesan priest in Enugu to qualify as a medical doctor.
Fr. Edwin Udeh officially entered the Nigerian medical profession on 22 July 2025, after being formally inducted at the Enugu State University of Science & Technology College of Medicine (ESUCOM).
A trusted member of the Diocesan Health Management Board, Fr. Udeh’s ordination into medicine marks a unique convergence of spiritual service and medical care. The board’s records note that Dr. Anthony Mbah chairs the commission overseeing healthcare initiatives within the diocese, of which Fr. Udeh is an active member.
Fr. Udeh joins the ranks of dedicated priests who serve both God and community health. With this achievement, he stands out as a pioneer in integrating priestly vocation and medical practice in Enugu’s Catholic diocese.
Elsewhere within the Nigerian Church, the Archdiocese of Onitsha has also seen commendable strides in this regard, with two of its priests — Fr. Dr. Lawrence Orazulume and Fr. Dr. Gabriel Amobi — already certified as medical doctors, while a few others are currently undergoing training.
