Nigeria Establishes Committee to Address Therapist Shortage

The Federal Government of Nigeria has inaugurated a committee aimed at addressing the significant shortage of therapists, including audiologists and speech therapists, in the country. The committee, known as NCAOTAST, was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa.

Nigeria currently faces a major gap in access to therapy services, which adversely affects children, patients, and families nationwide. The initiative seeks to expand the specialized healthcare workforce by increasing the number of training programs and strengthening standards across the sector.

The committee will focus on expanding degree programs and improving clinical training to ensure quality care. Currently, Nigeria has only 163 occupational therapists, with slightly over 100 speech therapists and audiologists available nationwide, leaving hospitals, schools, and communities without adequate support.

This situation is further complicated by the limited number of training institutions offering specialized programs and the ongoing migration of skilled professionals abroad in search of better opportunities.