Dispute over ‘doctor’ titles continues in health sector

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has criticised the recent decision of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to upgrade degree titles of graduates in pharmacy, physiotherapy and optometry to ‘doctor’ status in Nigerian universities.

University World News reported earlier in 2025 how the Nigerian government, through the NUC, extended the period of study for pharmacy, physiotherapy and optometry qualifications from five to six years, elevated the bachelor qualifications to doctoral degrees and added more courses to these programmes to meet international standards.

Contesting the decision, NARD emphasised that, while it supported the professional development and welfare of all healthcare workers, the change in nomenclature could lead to confusion among patients, inter-professional conflict, and potentially open the door to quackery within Nigeria’s already strained healthcare system, according to a media release by the association.

Justifying its position, NARD argues that this move does not reflect practices in leading healthcare systems such as those in the United Kingdom and Germany, where such titles are reserved for individuals with doctoral-level qualifications or clinical doctorates obtained through postgraduate training. It also noted that, globally, clinical leadership and diagnosis remained under the purview of licensed medical doctors.

Clear roles needed

Furthermore, the medical union said the increasing trend by other health worker groups to compete with medical doctors is unnecessary and they should rather focus on systematic reforms.

NARD stated that industrial action between 2005 and 2025 by other health professionals mainly focused on salary parity with medical doctors, rather than broader healthcare improvements.

“Globally, there is no precedent where pharmacists, physiotherapists, or optometrists in public institutions earn more than medical doctors. Patients typically seek doctors for diagnosis and treatment decisions – a fact reflected in salary structures and clinical governance worldwide,” the statement read, therefore stressing that “care delivery depends on clear roles and trust”.

NARD called on the NUC to reconsider the policy and to focus, instead, on reforms that promote collaboration, clarify professional boundaries, and improve healthcare quality.

“We believe all healthcare professionals should take pride in their unique roles. If one wishes to become a medical doctor, there is a rigorous, defined pathway for that,” the statement noted.

Dr Olusina Ajidahun, a resident in internal medicine and a health influencer, supported NARD’s reaction, while acknowledging the existence of competition among health workers.

“Every health practitioner wants to be addressed as ‘doctor’ instead of working collectively and focusing on how to improve the system through quality deliveries, productivity and good working conditions. And this stems from a long battle for equality for all health professionals,” Ajidahun told University World News in a telephonic interview.

Lack of unity

Ajidahun further explained that the lack of unity among experts in the health sector is hindering the progress of the country’s health institutions as well as undermining the patients’ care.

“NUC is chasing the wrong thing while there are more pressing things for them to do, including [promoting] good working conditions for health practitioners, more quality programmes structures, [and] investment into research and development in the health sector,” he added.

However, Sulaiman Abdulafeez Olawale, a licensed pharmacist and health advocate, criticised NARD’s submission. He also said that the NUC’s position is based on global practices.

“Our physicians chose to remain hypocritical and choose to embrace development only when they’re outside the country. All of these programmes aren’t title-focused but to enhance the education standards of the pharmacy profession in a more comprehensive and clinically advanced approach, which has been enhancing patient care and medication management practices. But NARD doesn’t care,” Olawale told University World News.

While disputing the claim of NARD that other health professionals are obsessed with the ‘doctor’ title, Olawale stated that many developed countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and others have moved from the old Bachelor Pharmacy to the more clinically oriented Pharmacy Doctor programme.

“Healthcare workers are [part] of a single team. From checking the record, to … the investigation by the medical laboratory scientist and radiographers, to proper diagnosis by physicians, patient management in the ward by the nurse and getting the right medication and right dose with proper pharmaceutical care from the pharmacist. This is what is expected anywhere all the time to have optimal healthcare delivery,” Olawale said, urging the NUC not to yield to those who want to change its decision.