Prof. Rufai Ahmed, Registrar of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapist Board of Nigeria, revealed that fewer than 4,000 physiotherapists practise in the country. This stark figure exposes a deep crisis in domestic healthcare staffing. Nearly ten thousand professionals hold registration credentials.
The massive deficit stems from relentless professional migration, retirements, and deaths across the health sector. Active practitioners remain desperately few for a rapidly expanding population. Hospitals struggle daily to manage patient rehabilitation needs.
Speaking at Chrisland University in Abeokuta during a recent induction ceremony, Ahmed urged the government to improve remuneration structures. Better pay and modern facilities will keep trained experts at home. Without urgent interventions, public health outcomes will continue to decline.
University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Oyedunni Arulogun warned graduates that clinical competence relies heavily on attentive listening and empathy. Misdiagnoses happen when doctors ignore crucial patient background details. Compassion must guide every professional interaction.
Government ministries plan to expand university training programmes for medical rehabilitation roles to bridge the staffing gap. Officials hope new policies will reverse the brain drain. Real reform requires more than administrative paperwork.