The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has voiced strong opposition to the recent decision by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to upgrade the nomenclature of degree programmes in Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, and Optometry from bachelor’s degrees to “Doctor” status in Nigerian universities.
The NUC implemented these changes in January, explaining that the decision was driven by the need to incorporate more clinical and practical sessions, improve foundational course coverage, enhance clinical skills, and address all speciality areas comprehensively.
In response, the association expressed significant concerns that the move may have unintended consequences. “Conferring the title ‘Doctor’ on multiple professional groups without public education or structural clarity may confuse patients, worsen interprofessional tensions, and enable quackery in an already fragile health system. Teamwork in care delivery depends on clear roles and trust,” the association stated in a communiqué published on its official X handle on Thursday.
According to BusinessDay, NARD noted that over the past two decades, agitations by other health worker groups have increasingly focused on competing with medical doctors, rather than driving systemic improvements.
The association further argued that globally, there is no precedent where pharmacists, physiotherapists, or optometrists in public institutions earn more than medical doctors, explaining that patients typically seek doctors for diagnosis and treatment decisions—a fact reflected in salary structures and clinical governance worldwide.
While the NUC cites “global best practices,” the association pointed out that countries like the UK and Germany do not grant the “Doctor” title to pharmacists or physiotherapists after undergraduate training, except through a PhD, emphasising clear clinical boundaries and robust governance.
“We believe all healthcare professionals should take pride in their unique roles. If one wishes to become a medical doctor, there is a rigorous, defined pathway for that,” the statement added.
The association has therefore urged the NUC to reconsider this change and instead pursue policies that strengthen collaboration, clarity, and excellence in healthcare.
