NUC upgrades Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Optometry degrees to doctorate status

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced the upgrade of pharmacy, physiotherapy, and optometry degree programmes in Nigerian universities from bachelor to doctor status.

This move aims to align Nigerian educational standards with global best practices and enhance the quality of healthcare training in the country.

Before the upgrade, these programmes were offered as five-year bachelor’s degrees:

Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm)

Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT)

Bachelor of Science in Optometry (B.Sc. Optometry)

These previous degrees lacked the advanced clinical training and coursework needed to qualify for a doctor status.

Under the new system, the programmes will now be:

Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D)

Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT)

Doctor of Optometry (OD)

Franca Elochi Chukwuonwo, the NUC’s Acting Director of Public Affairs, stated that the programmes will now span six years to include additional clinical training and coursework. This change is designed to improve foundational knowledge, clinical skills, and speciality coverage within the respective disciplines.

The NUC emphasized that the upgrade ensures Nigerian graduates can compete internationally, with certificates comparable to those awarded in other countries. This change is expected to enhance employability and provide better opportunities for further studies abroad.

The commission also clarified that the Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science (DMLS) programme is not part of its Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) or Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS).

“Consequently, MLSD is not an approved programme in the offerings of any Nigerian university,” it added.

The commission urged stakeholders to take note of these developments as part of efforts to ensure the harmonisation and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s higher education system.