Imaging in Developing Countries

Special Interest Group

RADIOGRAPHY IN NIGERIA (AN INSIGHT)

by Ejidike Chuka Franklin, Radiographer from Nigeria


INTRODUCTION

Nigeria is a federal Republic state in West Africa, with a coast along the Atlantic Ocean on the Gulf of Guinea. The country is bordered on the North by Niger Republic, East by Cameroon and West by Benin Republic. Nigeria is the most populous black nation in the world, with over 128 million people (2005 estimate) and blessed with abundant natural and human resources. The countries’ chief export is oil (petroleum). The nation has over 250 ethnicities / tribes living together in harmony. Of the tribes in Nigeria, Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba are the main tribes and major languages in the country. English language is generally understood and spoken by most Nigerians; it is the Lingua franca. Nigeria has 36 states including the federal capital territory, Abuja.

RADIOGRAPHY IN NIGERIA

What it takes to be a radiographer in Nigeria.

To become a Radiographer in Nigeria today, one has to go through University and get a degree in Radiography.

Radiography education started in the 1940s in South West Nigeria via a diploma training program later known to be as the Federal School of Radiography. It was then the sole school that produced radiographers in the country. Graduates from the school graduated with a diploma certificate in radiography (DCR).

In 1982/1983 two more schools started Bachelor of Science (BSc) programs in radiography. It was a good change in the right direction. There were calls to stop the DCR program, and after years of deliberating the program was finally stopped in 2004. The BSc Radiographers are also known as ‘Medical Imaging Scientists’ in Nigeria. The BSc programs offered by the Universities cover all fields in radiology, and the graduates are well equipped and standard. They are taught by Radiographers with PhDs Degrees in the field and Professors in Radiology, and start with basic pure and medical sciences. Of course one has to get at least an Ordinary level credit (5) in high school examinations at one sitting, as well pass with average marks in the University Matriculation Examination before being offered a place in the University to study Radiography. Today there over five Universities in Nigeria that offer Radiography courses for a BSc degree.

The Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN) is saddled with the responsibility of monitoring, training, registration and licensing of qualified radiographers to operate and practice in Nigeria. To become a Radiographer, after the five years BSC program supervised by RRBN, one registers with the board and goes for mandatory one year internship at a well equipped hospital that has been cleared by the board. There are over 700 radiographers trained and registered to practice in Nigeria, with a little over 50 % of them BSc holders. They work in various tertiary health institutions, Universities, state government and private owned hospitals across Nigeria. RRBN also conducts seminars, trainings and other continuous professional development courses for Radiographers.

Next Page....

The Radiotherapy Machine at UCH Ibadan