FG moves to bridge shortage of rehabilitation specialists in universities

The Federal Government has begun strategic reforms to address shortage of trained professionals in occupational therapy, audiology and speech therapy through the expansion of specialised university degree programmes nationwide.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the inauguration of the National Committee for the Advancement of Occupational Therapy, Audiology and Speech Therapy Education (NCAOTASE).

Alausa said that Nigeria was facing increasing demand for specialised healthcare and rehabilitation services across hospitals, schools and communities, stressing that the country must urgently build capacity in the critical fields.

He noted that occupational therapy, audiology and speech therapy were essential, not only for healthcare delivery but also, for inclusive education, social integration and improved national productivity.

According to him, many Nigerian universities currently lack structured Bachelor’s degree programmes in those disciplines, while existing training opportunities remained limited and not fully aligned with global best practices.

“This gap has implications for service delivery, workforce development and our ability to meet both national and international standards,” he said.

The minister explained that the federal government’s intervention was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and broader efforts to strengthen human capital development.

He said that the initiative was also aligned with ongoing reforms under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), aimed at expanding high-impact academic programmes and producing globally-competitive graduates.

Alausa said that a newly-constituted national committee would work with the universities interested in establishing degree programmes in occupational therapy, audiology and speech therapy.

He added that the committee would guide curriculum development, accreditation processes, clinical training frameworks and faculty development requirements for the programmes.

The minister said that the committee would collaborate with Medical Rehabilitation Therapists (Registration) Board of Nigeria (MRTB) to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and international professional standards.

He further explained that the body would engage the National Universities Commission (NUC), university authorities and other stakeholders to promote sustainable funding and quality assurance for the programmes.

According to him, the committee will also review academic and infrastructural requirements for universities seeking to run the courses and develop transition pathways for diploma-trained professionals to upgrade to degree qualifications.

Alausa warned against substandard or non-clinical training pathways capable of undermining professional standards in the emerging disciplines.

He acknowledged the roles of key institutions supporting the initiative, noting that NUC would ensure programme accreditation and standardisation, while Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) would serve as the committee’s secretariat.

Responding, Chairman of the committee, Dr Victoria Amu, pledged to fast-track efforts aimed at strengthening specialised rehabilitation therapy education in the country’s universities.

Amu, also the Director, Occupational Therapist, Edo Specialist Hospital, described the assignment as a critical national responsibility, coming at a time when Nigeria urgently needed to strengthen its healthcare system.

This, she said, must be done through quality education, specialised training and professional standardisation.

According to her, occupational therapy, audiology and speech therapy are essential but under-developed areas within Nigeria’s healthcare framework in spite of their roles in rehabilitation, communication support and inclusive development.

“We are fully conscious of the urgency attached to this assignment. The gaps in training, manpower development and institutional capacity in these specialised areas must be addressed without delay,” she said.

Amu pledged that the committee would promote collaboration among members and stakeholders to achieve its mandate.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the committee include: Dr David Atuwo, Senior Special Adviser to Minister of Education; Dr Isa Nurudeen, Medical Director, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Kano and Prof. Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, Provost/Medical Director, Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta.

Others are: Prof. John Emaimo, Vice-Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo; Prof. Julius Ademokoya, Department of Special Education, University of Ibadan and Dr Paul Unufegan, Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Allied Health Sciences (FUAHSE), Enugu.

The National President, Occupational Therapists Association of Nigeria (OTAN), Ayeni Oluwasegun and officials from NUC and TETFund are also members of the committee.