Physiotherapy Students Get One Extra Year, To Bag ‘Dr’ Title

Students of physiotherapy are now to do six years instead of five including an additional year for clinical leading to award of Doctor of Physiotherapy, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has said.

Executive Secretary, NUC, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, said the extra year would be included in the curriculum of physiotherapy programme currently being reviewed.

Rasheed stated this after being “conferred with Fellow of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy, FNSP, for his selfless service and support in advancing the cause of the Society and Physiotherapy profession at large,” NUC said in its website.

Until now, universities in the country such as the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, College of Medicine offered a five-year standard professional programme leading to the award of Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, degree.

However, Rasheed said the review of the curriculum for physiotherapy programme became necessary in order to meet global best practices.

While expressing appreciation for the award, he informed the delegation that copies of the curriculum for Physiotherapy programme currently undergoing review, would be sent to Vice Chancellors of Universities for their input.

He said due to the changes in the curriculum, NUC would notify the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation respectively.