The National Universities Commission (NUC) recently announced that students pursuing Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, and Optometry degrees in Nigerian universities will now be required to spend six years in their studies, up from the previous five. The change also means that graduates will now receive a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D), Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT), or Doctor of Optometry (O.D.), instead of a Bachelor’s degree.
This update was shared by the NUC’s Acting Director of Public Affairs, Franca Chukwuonwo, in a statement released on Wednesday.
The NUC explained that the duration of these programs had been extended to accommodate additional courses and clinical sessions, in line with global standards for medical-related degrees. This change is part of the NUC’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of training and align Nigeria’s academic programs with international best practices.
The NUC elaborated: “The National Universities Commission, cognizant of the need to keep abreast with global perspectives on programmes and course delivery in the university education space, had carried out some nomenclature change and upgraded programmes from Bachelors Degree to Doctor (Bachelors Degree with clinical sessions) status in Nigerian universities.”
The commission noted that the goal of this upgrade is to better prepare students by incorporating more clinical and practical training, expanding foundational courses, and covering a wider range of specialties. The aim is to ensure that Nigerian degrees are recognized globally, making graduates more competitive in the job market and in further studies.
Here’s a summary of the upgraded programs:
- Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D)
- Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT)
- Doctor of Optometry (O.D.)
These changes reflect the NUC’s commitment to maintaining high educational standards and ensuring that Nigerian graduates are well-prepared for global professional environments.
Additionally, the NUC issued a warning about the Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science (DMLS) program, which has not been approved in Nigeria. The commission clarified that DMLS is not part of the approved academic offerings in Nigerian universities, and prospective students are advised against applying for this program.
This shift is a significant step towards improving healthcare education in Nigeria, with the aim of producing well-rounded professionals equipped with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on clinical experience.
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