The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapist Board of Nigeria, Prof. Rufai Ahmed, has raised concerns over the shortage of practising physiotherapists in Nigeria, disclosing that fewer than 4,000 of the approximately 9,870 registered professionals are currently practising in the country.
Ahmed attributed the disparity to the migration of health professionals, deaths and retirement, warning that the available workforce was inadequate to meet the rehabilitation needs of Nigeria’s growing population.
He spoke at the second induction ceremony of Doctor of Physiotherapy graduates of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, where 28 graduates were formally inducted into the profession on Friday.
The ceremony was held under the theme, “Advancing Physiotherapy Through Leadership, Innovation and Excellence.”
The registrar called on the government to improve remuneration, strengthen career progression frameworks and provide more opportunities for specialised training to encourage health professionals to remain in Nigeria and contribute to the development of the health sector.
He stressed that improving working conditions and creating clear professional development pathways would be crucial to retaining skilled practitioners and addressing the shortage of rehabilitation personnel.
Ahmed also clarified that the approximately 4,300 licences registered by the board in 2025 did not represent the number of physiotherapists actively practising in Nigeria, explaining that some professionals living abroad continued to renew their licences.
The figures, he noted, highlighted the need to distinguish between professionals registered with the board and those available to provide services within the country.
Ahmed said, “The board registered approximately 4,300 licences in 2025 but this figure did not represent the number of physiotherapists actively practising in Nigeria, as some professionals living abroad continued to renew their licences.
“The Federal Ministry of Education has recently directed 20 universities to introduce programmes in medical rehabilitation professions, particularly occupational therapy, physiotherapy and audiology, as part of efforts to increase the country’s workforce.
“The Ministry of Health has completed the development of a national rehabilitation policy and strategic plan, which included workforce development and service delivery, collaboration between the Ministries of Health and Education would be critical to bridging the existing gap.”
Ahmed warned that inadequate rehabilitation services could have serious economic, social and psychological consequences, as people unable to regain mobility and participate in everyday activities might struggle to work, engage with their communities and live fulfilling lives.
He also called for improved conditions of service, competitive salaries and opportunities for specialised training to encourage health professionals to remain in Nigeria, urging those who had travelled abroad to consider returning with the knowledge and experience acquired overseas.
Speaking earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Oyedunni Arulogun, urged newly inducted physiotherapists to prioritise attentive listening, professional competence and integrity in their practice, warning that failure to obtain critical information from patients could lead to wrong diagnoses and treatment.
Arulogun urged the new practitioners to remain compassionate and patient-centred, stressing that their responsibility extended beyond treating medical conditions to restoring patients’ independence, dignity and quality of life.
Sharing a personal experience to underscore the importance of listening, the vice-chancellor recounted how a doctor’s decision to pay attention to a seemingly casual remark by her father helped prevent a potentially dangerous medical intervention.
She said, “Listen before you treat, let competence and integrity guide your practice. Never allow personal ambition to overshadow patient safety, define your reputation.
“You must also become instruments of hope.Some patients will recover quickly,
others will make progress slowly.
Your responsibility is to remain patient, compassionate, and committed to helping each person achieve the best possible outcome.
“Remember that sometimes the greatest victory is not a patient running again, but simply standing without assistance, walking across a room, or regaining the confidence to participate in everyday life.Celebrate those victories; they are the true rewards of your profession”.
Addressing concerns about the migration of skilled professionals, Arulogun said Nigeria needed the expertise of its newly qualified physiotherapists and urged them to contribute to the development of the country’s healthcare system.
She encouraged the graduates to approach their profession with a commitment to service, innovation and excellence, reminding them that their knowledge and skills would be needed to improve rehabilitation services and the well-being of Nigerians.