The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced the upgrade of several medical-related programmes in Nigerian universities from Bachelor’s to Doctoral degrees.
This move is designed to improve the quality of professional training in line with global standards.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Public Affairs, Franca Chukwuonwo, the commission explained that the changes will introduce more clinical and practical sessions, expand foundational course content, and address all specialty areas more comprehensively.
Programmes Affected
The upgraded programmes now classified as doctoral include:
- Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D)
- Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT)
- Doctor of Optometry (O.D)
To accommodate the added courses and extended clinical training, the duration of these programmes has been increased from five to six years.
The NUC stated that the decision aligns with international standards for training healthcare professionals, Channels TV reports.
The enhanced structure is expected to equip graduates with advanced skills and knowledge, enabling them to meet modern healthcare demands effectively.
Universities offering these programmes are required to adopt the new framework immediately.
The changes will also ensure a more rigorous academic and clinical experience for students.
The commission reiterated its commitment to fostering excellence in higher education and ensuring Nigerian universities produce globally competitive professionals in the medical field.
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