Communiqué from the 2025 NSP Ordinary General Meeting – Lokoja

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING (OGM) OF THE NIGERIA SOCIETY OF PHYSIOTHERAPY (NSP), HELD ON FRIDAY, 13TH JUNE 2025, AT THE FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, LOKOJA, KOGI STATE  

Preamble 

The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) held its Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) on Friday, 13th June 2025, at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, Kogi State. It was a hybrid meeting, with physical and virtual participation of members across the country and the diaspora. The MRTBN Registrar, Prof. Ahmad Yusuf Rufai was also in attendance. After several hours of discussions and deliberations, the following key resolutions were made: 

Resolutions 

1. The NSP OGM resolved that the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Regulations, 2006 is at complete variance with the MRTBN Act of 1988. The MRTBN Act provides that the board should grant approval to institutions within the country and elsewhere to conduct trainings for its registrants. Therefore, any clause in the 2006 Regulations allowing for physiotherapy trainings by MRTBN must be stepped down, as the Act takes precedence over the Regulations.  

2. The NSP OGM strongly opposed the re-introduction of diploma training in physiotherapy under any guise and rejects the introduction of physiotherapy technicians' cadre in Nigeria. Members were clear that physiotherapy has evolved to become a graduate-entry profession in Nigeria. The NUC approved an upgrade to the Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) in 2018, as the minimum academic standard for physiotherapy training in Nigeria. Any attempt to reduce entry requirements threatens the profession’s integrity and goes against global standards. 

3. The NSP OGM resolved that the MRTBN cannot be a self-regulating body and strongly condemned the recent policy of MRTBN to conduct trainings, workshops or implement any clinical pathway programs for physiotherapists in Nigeria. It was resolved that NSP should engage the MRTBN further to clarify these overlapping roles, which are threatening existing NSP training structures and the Postgraduate Physiotherapy College.

 4. In a bid to promote transparency and collaboration, the Registrar of the MRTBN has been requested to make public the key documents outlining the directives of the Federal Ministry of Health to commence physiotherapy technicians' training. This document is expected to inform NSP’s planned consultations with the FMoH and other critical stakeholders. 

 5. The Postgraduate Physiotherapy College (PPC) is to work towards having at least one training center in each geopolitical zone. This will improve access to the college for intending associates across the country. However, implementation would be dependent on the availability of qualified fellows for supervision. 

6. The NSP OGM demanded for a government-recognized and funded postgraduate training institution, like those available to other health professionals. The goal is to have an independent national postgraduate physiotherapy college that will run residency programs in the country. 

7. The NSP OGM raised concerns over some new policies of the MRTBN which have been implemented without due stakeholder consultations, and which could threaten the future of the profession. The OGM resolved to lead the call for a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process to ensure that the policies are carefully evaluated and that they do not undermine the integrity of physiotherapy education and practice in Nigeria. 

8. The NSP OGM reaffirmed the AGM decision to unify all physiotherapists in Nigeria under the umbrella body of NSP. Joint workshops of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy and the Association of Clinical and Academic Physiotherapists of Nigeria (ACAPN) are planned as part of the reunification process, and both associations will finalize terms after their conferences this year. 

9. Preparations for the IBOM2025 Conference are ongoing. The President and other members of the NEC are set to visit Akwa Ibom State in the coming weeks to inspect the level of the LOC's preparedness for the conference. 

10. Thirteen NSP members attended the World Physiotherapy Congress in Tokyo, Japan. The Society is working to have a stronger showing at the next Congress in Mexico (2027). The President also restated NSP’s support for the World Physiotherapy’s call to make physiotherapy an integral component of the primary health care in Nigeria. This is in line with the WHO Rehabilitation 2030 framework, that physiotherapy and other rehabilitation services are essential components of the Universal Health Coverage. 
11. The NSP President will be attending the International Association of Nigerian Physical Therapists’ (IANPT) Conference in Kansas in July 2025. The trip is being privately sponsored by Nigerian physiotherapists at home and in the diaspora, and is aimed at strengthening the relationship between NSP and the wider global physiotherapy community. 

12. A 9-member committee to develop a national physiotherapy policy for Primary Healthcare was inaugurated at the OGM. The recommendations of the committee would be made available for review at the next AGM.

 Committee members are: 

• Dr. Usman Abba (Chair) 

• Dr. Olawale Oladimeji (Secretary) 

• Dr. Saliu Akinwale 

• Dr. Yinka Afolabi 

• Prof. Isa Usman Lawal 

• Dr. Ngozi Chimereze 

• Dr. Fidelis Iyor

 • Dr. Felix Obi 

• Dr. Chukunonso Anuwu 

13. Another 9-member committee was inaugurated at the OGM to develop a standard scope of practice document for physiotherapy in Nigeria. This will help guide clinicians' practice across the country. Committee members are: 

• Prof. Fatai Adeniyi (Chair) 

• Dr. Akachukwu Nwosu (Secretary) 

• Prof. Bashir Bello 

• Dr. Olusegun Adejare 

• Dr. Chinwe Obiekwe 

• Dr. Remilekun Durojaiye 

• Dr. Oluwakemi Ituen 

• Dr. Olumide Dada

 • Dr. Saratu Umar Aliyu 14. 

Two new members were formally inducted into the profession during the OGM. 

Conclusion

The NSP NEC appreciates all members who participated in the meeting and made valuable contributions. Special thanks go to the Management of the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja for hosting the meeting. The NSP NEC pledges to continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders on all unresolved matters and to provide updates as consultations progress.

Sincerely,