Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) has announced that students pursuing pharmacy, optometry and physiotherapy degrees in Nigerian universities will now spend six years instead of five to graduate.
The extension also elevates the degrees to professional doctorates, with graduates earning titles like Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D), Doctor of Optometry(O.D.) and Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT).
The announcement, made in a statement issued by Franca Chukwuonwo, NUC’s acting Director of Public Affairs, seeks to align these programmes with international standards by incorporating more clinical sessions and specialized training.
According to the NUC, the extension is part of a wider reform to enhance the quality and global competitiveness of graduates from Nigerian universities.
The revised curriculum integrates more clinical and practical sessions, ensuring that students are better equipped with foundational knowledge, advanced skills, and specialization in their fields.
The statement read: “This upgrade to professional doctorate status aligns with global best practices in medical-related training. It ensures Nigerian graduates can compete on an equal footing with their international counterparts in terms of qualifications, employability, and further studies.”
The commission stated that the awarded under the new structure would be at par with global standards, making them more acceptable for evaluations abroad and increasing the employability of graduates in a competitive global market.
The additional year aims to accommodate the expanded curriculum, which includes clinical exposure and hands-on practical sessions. These changes address long-standing calls from stakeholders to improve the quality of medical training in Nigeria.
The NUC added: “By extending the duration and upgrading the qualifications, we are not just raising the standard of education but also ensuring that our graduates are adequately trained to meet global professional demands.”
