Nigerian Govt Set To Award ‘Doctor’ Titles To Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Optometrists, Others
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has expressed concerns regarding the recent decision by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to upgrade degree titles in Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, and Optometry to “Doctor” status in Nigerian universities.
In an official statement signed by its Executive Council, NARD emphasised that while it supports the professional development and welfare of all healthcare workers, the change in nomenclature could lead to confusion among patients, interprofessional conflict, and potentially open the door to quackery within Nigeria’s already strained healthcare system.
The NUC’s decision aims to align Nigeria with what it describes as “global best practices,” allowing graduates of Pharmacy (PharmD), Physiotherapy (DPT), and Optometry (OD) programmes to be addressed as “Doctor.”
However, NARD argues that this move lacks structural clarity and does not reflect practices in leading healthcare systems such as those in the UK and Germany, where such titles are reserved for individuals with doctoral-level qualifications or clinical doctorates obtained through postgraduate training.
NARD noted that globally, clinical leadership and diagnosis remain under the purview of licensed medical doctors.
The association cautioned that without adequate public education or structural distinctions, the new titles could mislead patients, blur professional boundaries, and disrupt the trust needed for effective teamwork in clinical environments.
The statement reads in part: “Over the past two decades, agitations by other health worker groups have increasingly focused on competing with medical doctors rather than driving systemic improvements.
Between 2005 and 2025, most strikes by these groups have centred on demands to adjust the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) to match the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
“Globally, there is no precedent where pharmacists, physiotherapists, or optometrists in public institutions earn more than medical doctors. Patients typically seek doctors for diagnosis and treatment decisions—a fact reflected in salary structures and clinical governance worldwide.
“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.
“While the NUC cites ‘global best practices,’ countries like the UK and Germany do not grant the ‘Doctor’ title to pharmacists or physiotherapists after undergraduate training, except through a PhD. These systems emphasise 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.”
“We respectfully urge the NUC to reconsider this change and instead pursue policies that strengthen collaboration, clarity, and excellence in healthcare,” the statement added.
