The National Universities Commission (NUC) has elevated several medical-related academic programmes in Nigerian universities from Bachelor’s degree to doctoral status.
This update was announced on Wednesday in a statement by the Acting Director of Public Affairs, Franca Chukwuonwo.
The upgrade aims to align Nigerian medical education with global best practices by incorporating more clinical and practical sessions, expanding foundational course coverage, and addressing specialty areas comprehensively.
As part of the reform, the duration of these programmes has been extended from five to six years to include additional courses and enhanced clinical training.
The programmes upgraded to doctoral status include:
- Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D)
- Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT)
- Doctor of Optometry (OD)
These changes are reflected in the NUC’s Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) and Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS).
The commission emphasized that this move is essential for producing well-rounded professionals capable of meeting global healthcare challenges.
