NSP, ACAPN Oppose Diploma And Technician Cadres In Physiotherapy

Members of the Association of Clinical and Academic Physiotherapists of Nigeria (ACAPN) and the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) have voiced grave concerns regarding the Medical Rehabilitation Board of Nigeria’s (MRTB) decision to establish a Diploma/Technician cadre in medical rehabilitation and physiotherapy in the nation.

Speaking to reporters in Lagos yesterday, ACAPN President Prof. Udoka Okafor revealed that MRTB recently implemented contentious policies and rules that practitioners completely rejected due to accusations and suspicions of a conflict of interest involving the board’s registrar.

Okafor stated that both professional bodies have issued collective resolutions stating “no to Diploma/Technician cadre in Physiotherapy/Medical rehabilitation in Nigeria,” claiming that the development would result in quackery in the country’s medical practice.

“As we prepare for our upcoming Unity Conference in Kano State in October 2026, we, the Presidents of NSP and ACAPN, wish to inform all physiotherapists at home and in the Diaspora, the Government Agencies and our Regulatory Board (and other relevant stakeholders), that all physiotherapists in Nigeria have come together in unity,” stated Okafor.

NSP President Dr. Felix Oyinlola Odusanya noted that the MRTB Board under the Registrar appears to pursue role conflict and has failed to fulfill its statutory duties of professional licensing as a result of the Federal Government’s non-constitution of the board in recent years.