Undergraduates studying Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, and Optometry in Nigerian universities will now spend a minimum of six years instead of five.
Upon completing their programs, graduates will earn a “Doctor” title rather than a Bachelor’s Degree.
Pharmacy graduates will be conferred with Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D), Physiotherapy graduates with Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT), and Optometry graduates with Doctor of Optometry (O.D).
This development was announced by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in a statement signed by its Acting Director of Public Affairs, Franca Chukwuonwo, on Wednesday.
The NUC explained that the extension is aimed at incorporating additional clinical and practical sessions, improving foundational courses, enhancing clinical skills, and covering specialty areas comprehensively.
Chukwuonwo noted that the move aligns with global best practices, ensuring Nigerian graduates can compete globally in terms of employability, certification recognition, and further studies.
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However, the commission clarified that the Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science (DMLS) program, being offered by some universities, is not recognized in its Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) or Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS).
The statement reads, “The National Universities Commission, in line with global perspectives on university education, has upgraded some medical-related programs from Bachelor’s Degree to Doctor (Bachelor’s Degree with clinical sessions) status.
“This decision incorporates more clinical/practical sessions, sufficient coverage of foundational courses, improved clinical skills, and specialty areas.
“The upgrade aligns with global best practices and ensures Nigerian graduates can compete globally in terms of certificate evaluation, employability, and further studies.
“Programs upgraded to Doctor status with clinical sessions include Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D), Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT), and Doctor of Optometry (O.D). Consequently, the duration of these programs has increased from five to six years.”
The NUC reiterated that the Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science (DMLS) program is not approved, adding, “MLSD is not an approved program in the offerings of any Nigerian university.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
