Are you planning to become a physiotherapist but you wish to know what physiotherapist salary in Nigeria is and the various job opportunities available for them. In this article you will find out all that you need to know about physiotherapist in Nigeria.
Before we take a look at the salary of physiotherapist in Nigeria, it is necessary for you to know who a physiotherapist is, how to become one and the type of work they are involved in.
Who is a physiotherapist?
Due to illness or diseases, some people may lose their locomotive function (that is movement) which may result to the lost of movement of the affected body parts. In order, to restore the physical ability of the body part, a physiotherapist is needed.
A physiotherapist is an healthcare provide that helps to restore movement and function when an individual is affected by injury, illness or disability. A physiotherapist can also help to reduce your risk of injury or illness in the future. It takes a holistic approach that involves the patient directly in their own care.
Physiotherapists are essential part of the health care team and they are also called Physical therapists in some part of Nigeria
How to become a physiotherapist in Nigeria?
To become a physiotherapist in Nigeria, you will need to gain admission into an accredited university offering physiotherapy as a course.
In WAEC or NECO result, you must have at least credit in Mathematics, English, Chemistry, Physics, Biology and any other required science subject (but it is advisable for you to have a minimum of B and not C in the mentioned subject). Afterwards, you will write JAMB on the following subject combination;
- Use of English
- Biology
- Physics
- Chemistry
For you to be qualified to write Post UTME for the university you have chosen to study Physiotherapy, you must target a high JAMB score (at least a score of 240). Some universities will require you to write Post UTME, if yours is part then please target a high score in your Post UTME in order to beat the admission competition. For Direct Entry (DE) students you must have A-level passes in Biology, Physics and Chemistry.
Once you have completed your degree in physiotherapy, it is required for you to undergo One-year of Internship training in a Federal government hospital. You can feel free to read physiotherapy intern salary in Nigeria, in case you want to know how much they collect during their internship training.
What is the duration to study physiotherapy in Nigeria?
The duration to study physiotherapy in Nigeria is 5 years. Physiotherapy is a 5-year course programme in Nigerian universities. New graduates of physiotherapy must complete a 1-year internship programme in an accredited hospital in Nigeria. Successful completion of the internship provides them the eligibility to apply for a full practicing license, which is renewable every year. The Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria (MRTB) regulates academic and internship programmes, as well as clinical practices, of physiotherapy and other rehabilitation professions in Nigeria.
What is the work of a physiotherapist in Nigeria?
Physiotherapists in Nigeria have clinical autonomy; they may assess patients, make diagnoses, provide treatment and/or prevention services, and refer to other health services. Also, physiotherapists are permitted to offer private services to patients as long as they maintain their registration/licensure.
Physiotherapists help to maintain health for people of all ages, helping patients to manage pain and prevent disease. They also help to encourage development and facilitate recovery, enabling people to stay in work while helping them remain independent for as long as possible.
You can decide to focus on the following specialty as a physiotherapist:
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Cardio-Pulmonary Physiotherapy
- Paediatric Physiotherapy
- Neurological Physiotherapy
- Exercise and Sports Physiotherapy
- Women’s Health Physiotherapy
- Community Physiotherapy
- Palliative Care Physiotherapy
What is physiotherapist salary in Nigeria?
The salary of physiotherapist in Nigeria is N150,000 per month. Physiotherapist working in hospitals or clinics are paid using CONHESS (Consolidated Health Salary Structure). The salary of physiotherapist in Nigeria is affect by:
- Years of experience
- Institution where you are working (either at Federal government hospitals, State hospitals or Private hospitals or organisations)
What is the salary scale of physiotherapist in Nigeria?
The salary scale of physiotherapist in Nigeria as per National salary income and wage commission (2009) is summarized in the table below;
| Structure | Monthly Pay |
| CONHESS 7 | N80,000 |
| CONHESS 8 | N90,000 |
| CONHESS 9 | N100,000 |
| CONHESS 10 | N120,000 |
| CONHESS 11 | N150,000 |
| CONHESS 12 | N180,000 |
| CONHESS 13 | N230,000 |
| CONHESS 14 | N280,000 |
| CONHESS 15 | N350,000 |
What are the job opportunities for physiotherapist in Nigeria?
There are a lot of job opportunities for a physiotherapist in Nigeria. A physiotherapist can decide to work in any of the following places listed below;
- Teaching hospitals
- Specialist Hospitals such as the National Orthopaedic Hospitals, etc
- General Hospitals across the country
- Psychiatric Hospitals
- Private Hospitals
- Private Physiotherapy Clinics
- Research Centers
- Sport Medicine Centers
- Sports or Football Clubs in Nigeria
- Universities offering Physiotherapy academic programs
- Physical Fitness Centers
- Industrial Clinics, etc
Are physiotherapist doctors in Nigeria?
A lot of people keep asking me this question; “are physiotherapist doctors?”
In Nigerian university, physiotherapist undergo rigorous Academic program in Physiotherapy in a University or equivalent Institution in Nigeria or Abroad; after which he/she is conferred with a Diploma, Bachelors degree (BScPT, BPT or BMR), Master of Physical Therapy degree (MPT) or a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT).
To answer the question if physiotherapist are doctors in Nigeria – Yes, a physiotherapist can be referred to as a doctor if he/she has attained a Doctor degree in Physical therapy (DPT).
Becoming a physiotherapist in Nigeria isn’t an easy task, you will need to undergo series of training and be ready to learn new things. Now that you have known physiotherapist salary in Nigeria, feel to also check out:
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