Physiotherapy Training Programmes In Nigeria

Miss Manfield and Mr. Williams who started physiotherapy practice in Nigeriain 1945 had as part of their duties; the responsibility of starting a training programme in physiotherapy. They started a three-year Diploma Course. The three-year diploma course was attended by a number on Nigerians. On completion of the training and passing out of the school, they were designated as Assistant Physiotherapist. They were specifically asked to work strictly under the supervision of Chartered Physiotherapists who had trained in England.

With time, the training programme at Igbobi was discontinued. Just before then, plans were in progress to start a diploma course at UniversityCollegeHospital, Ibadan. This was later changed to the Bachelor of Science Degree in Physiotherapy at the Universityof Ibadan. The course took off in October 1966. The graduation of the foundation students in Ibadanin 1969 was a landmark in the annals of physiotherapy in Nigeria. Thus, Universityof Ibadanwas the first in Nigeriaand West Africa, to award a degree in physiotherapy.

In 1971, Universityof Lagoscommenced a three-year diploma course, which was upgraded to Bachelor of Science Degree in 1977. Universityof Ife, Ile-Ife (now ObafemiAwolowoUniversity) followed Ibadanand Lagosin 1977. The course at Ile-Ife was for a four year Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation. The Universityof Nigeria, Nsukka also commenced a 5-years Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy) degree programme in 1987. There is also a training programme at the BayeroUniversity, in Kano(Formerly, Federal School of Physiotherapy) to award a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physiotherapy. A sixth program will kick off soon at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, KadunaStatesoon. Hopefully, this ABU program may start off with a 6-years Doctor of Physiotherapy program if the advocacy for the DPT program succeeds.

The products of the Universities are practicing as Physiotherapist in many establishments in the country and abroad. Some are lecturers in Universities in Nigeriaand overseas. A sizeable number are in United Kingdom, United States of Americaand Canadapursuing postgraduate courses and working to gain further experience and for pecuniary purpose. Several Nigerian Physiotherapists are known to be in employment in Saudi-Arabia. The vogue at home has gradually shifted from working in teaching, state and specialized hospitals to venturing into private practice by a handful of practitioners.