COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE EMERGENCY GENERAL MEETING (EGM) OF THE NIGERIA SOCIETY OF PHYSIOTHERAPY (NSP) HELD ON 13 FEBRUARY 2026

    COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE EMERGENCY GENERAL MEETING (EGM) OF THE NIGERIA SOCIETY OF PHYSIOTHERAPY (NSP) HELD ON 13 FEBRUARY 2026

The Emergency General Meeting (EGM) of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) was convened on 13 February 2026 to deliberate on critical professional, regulatory, and educational matters affecting the physiotherapy profession in Nigeria.

Opening Remarks

The President of NSP welcomed members and expressed sincere appreciation for their attendance and continued support of the administration’s advocacy for the recognition of the Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) Scheme of Service (SOS) by the National Council on Establishment (NCE). He acknowledged the financial contributions made by 27 NSP State Chapters, as well as from individual NSP members during the first phase of the NCE project, and he commended members’ commitment toward the advancement of the profession.

Progress Report

The President highlighted notable progress achieved by the administration, including:

1. Submission of the drafted DPT SOS to the office of the Head of Service of the Federation and its eventual recommendation to the NCE Standing Committee for verification and final approval at the next NCE in 2026.
2. The new development by the administration to secure recognition of the fellowship of the Postgraduate Physiotherapy College through NCE, and the FMOH initiative for commencement of physiotherapy residency program at the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN).

3. On the progress made so far with the NSP/ACAPN reconciliation, the President reported that 3 agreements have been reached as follows:

i. Adoption of the name NSP
ii. Agreement that the new NSP logo will carry the symbol and color of ACAPN whilst retaining the name and motto of NSP
iii. NSP constitution has been adopted for organizational management Current areas of disagreement are:
i. ACAPN insistence on having 50% of elective positions in the forthcoming 2026 election
ii. ACAPN also demanding to occupy the remaining 50% of elective positions by the next round of elections in 2029
iii. ACAPN insisting that it will take 2 -3 years to completely deregister their association

4.  On NSP/MRTBN relationship, the President reported that NSP had sought the intervention of the Honorable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare (HMSH) on areas of disagreement between the two organizations. Thus, the Honorable Minister has given the following directives:
i. That MRTBN should cease all forms of training forthwith and focus on regulation
ii. On the issue of diploma, the HMSH mandated NSP and MRTBN to collaboratively work out a strategy for the provision of rehabilitation services at the primary healthcare

Key resolutions

After extensive deliberations, the EGM resolved as follows:

1. Collaboration for resource mobilization

NSP should collaborate with the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Registration Board of Nigeria (MRTBN) to generate funds in support of the DPT Scheme of Service project. This will include instituting mandatory dues payment as a prerequisite for license renewal and leveraging the support of diaspora physiotherapists.

2. Training and institutional clearance

The EGM resolved that any private institution that seeks to train physiotherapists in Nigeria must obtain approval from MRTBN, as well as institutional consent from NSP.

3. Protection of educational standards

The EGM mandated the NEC to remain proactive in ensuring that the diploma program is not reintroduced into physiotherapy education in Nigeria, in order to safeguard professional standards and global alignment.

4. Engagement with MRTBN 2026 bill

The EGM directed the NEC to make strategic inputs into the ongoing deliberations on the MRTBN 2026 bill currently under consideration. The meeting further appealed to both NSP and MRTBN to foster constructive collaboration in the overall interest of the profession and national development.

5. Constitution of mediation committee

The EGM resolved to expand the AGM mediation committee to harmonize the differing positions of NSP and MRTBN and to promote a favorable and sustainable working relationship between the two bodies. The committee is mandated to submit its report within two (2) months.

The members of the Committee are:
i. Prof. Adetoyeje Oyeyemi
ii. Dr. Taiwo Oyewumi
iii. Dr. Umo Udom
iv. Dr. Olufunke Ajiboye
v. Prof. Sam Ibeneme
vi. Dr. Sunday Umeh
vii. Dr. Aysha Adhama
6. NSP/ACAPN reconciliation

Following thorough deliberations, the EGM affirmed that the position of the NSP Annual General Meeting (AGM) regarding the unconditional return of all aggrieved members to NSP remains supreme. The EGM further resolved that the constitution of NSP shall guide all actions and decisions of the Society.

Conclusion

The Emergency General Meeting reaffirmed its collective commitment to unity, professional excellence, regulatory clarity and the advancement of physiotherapy practice and education in Nigeria. Members were urged to remain collaborative and guided by the constitution in all matters concerning the profession.

Sincerely,

Dr. Oyinlola F. Odusanya, DPT, FPPC, MNSP                                                                                                  Dr. Mfonobong E. Udoh, PT, MNSP
President National                                                                                                                                                                            General Secretary

Dr. Davidson Okwudili John, PT, MNSP
National Public Relations Officer