The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria, Prof. Rufai Ahmed, disclosed the figures during the second induction ceremony for Doctor of Physiotherapy graduates of Chrisland University in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Twenty-eight graduates were inducted into the profession at the ceremony held on Friday, under the theme, “Advancing Physiotherapy Through Leadership, Innovation and Excellence.”

Ahmed attributed the gap between registered professionals and those actively practising in Nigeria to factors including migration, retirement and deaths. He warned that the available workforce remained inadequate to meet the rehabilitation needs of the country’s population.

He called on the government to improve salaries, strengthen career progression opportunities and expand access to specialised training to encourage more health professionals to remain in Nigeria.

According to the registrar, the conditions under which rehabilitation professionals work must improve if the country hopes to retain skilled practitioners and expand access to essential services.

Ahmed also clarified that the approximately 4,300 licences registered by the board in 2025 should not be interpreted as the number of physiotherapists actively practising in Nigeria. He explained that some professionals living abroad continued to renew their licences.

He said the distinction between registration figures and the number of practitioners available within the country was important in assessing the actual strength of the workforce.

The registrar further disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Education had directed 20 universities to introduce programmes in medical rehabilitation professions, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and audiology, as part of efforts to expand the supply of skilled personnel.

He also pointed to the development of a national rehabilitation policy and strategic plan by the Federal Ministry of Health, saying effective collaboration between the health and education ministries would be necessary to address workforce shortages and improve service delivery.

Ahmed warned that inadequate rehabilitation services could affect people’s ability to work, participate in community life and maintain their independence. He noted that people who cannot access appropriate rehabilitation may face wider social, economic and psychological challenges.

He urged Nigerian professionals working abroad to consider returning with the knowledge and experience they had acquired, while calling for better remuneration and professional development opportunities to make working in the country more attractive.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chrisland University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oyedunni Arulogun, advised the newly inducted physiotherapists to place patient safety, integrity and professional competence at the centre of their practice.

Arulogun stressed that effective treatment begins with listening carefully to patients and understanding their experiences before making clinical decisions. She warned that overlooking important information could contribute to incorrect diagnoses and inappropriate treatment.

Drawing from a personal experience involving her father’s medical care, the vice-chancellor highlighted how paying attention to a patient’s remarks can help prevent potentially harmful medical decisions.

She encouraged the graduates to remain compassionate and patient-centred, noting that physiotherapy involves more than treating physical conditions. It also helps people regain independence, dignity and confidence in their daily lives.

Arulogun reminded the new practitioners that recovery does not always mean returning immediately to previous levels of physical ability. Small improvements, such as standing independently, walking across a room or regaining confidence in everyday activities, can also represent meaningful progress.

She further urged the graduates to contribute their skills to Nigeria’s healthcare system despite concerns about the migration of trained professionals. According to her, the country needs committed practitioners who can strengthen rehabilitation services and improve patients’ quality of life.

The concerns raised at the induction ceremony highlight the importance of improving workforce data, professional working conditions and training opportunities as Nigeria seeks to expand access to rehabilitation care.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia