By: Uthman Salami
The management of the Federal School of Occupational Therapy has expressed concern over an acute manpower shortage in the profession, revealing that about 80 per cent of its graduates have been recruited by European countries, including the United Kingdom.
The concern was raised on Tuesday during the school’s inaugural matriculation ceremony for 53 students admitted into its newly approved National Diploma programme.
Established in 2002 and owned by the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, the institution previously awarded only diploma certificates in occupational therapy before receiving approval to upgrade to a monotechnic institution and commence the National Diploma programme in the 2025/2026 academic session.
Speaking with The PUNCH at the event, the Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer of the hospital and the school, Olugbenga Owoeye, said the institution would continue to fulfil its mandate despite the persistent brain drain.
This is the first matriculation ceremony we are holding since the school was upgraded to the National Diploma level. It is the only school of its kind in Nigeria, and it is our responsibility to produce the needed manpower,” he said.
He, however, lamented that many of the graduates migrated abroad shortly after qualification.
“The fortunate and unfortunate aspect is that as we produce them, they travel to the United Kingdom because the school is recognised there and they make use of our products,” he added.
Owoeye said the school planned to increase its student intake to bridge the manpower gap, particularly in mental health services.
“The products of the school are vital in all health institutions. They are responsible for rehabilitating patients from hospital care to reintegration into society, including providing vocational training,” he said.
The Acting Provost, Ayooluwa Oni, described occupational therapy as a profession focused on helping persons with disabilities regain independence.
“Anyone in the hospital with a fracture or illness is limited in self-care. Occupational therapists retrain patients on how to carry out daily activities and live independently. They help them to become productive,” he said.
Oni noted that only two universities — Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Benin — currently offer occupational therapy as a course in Nigeria, stressing the need for more training institutions.
He disclosed that the school had produced over 800 professionals, many of whom now practise abroad.
According to him, manpower distribution within Nigeria remained critically low, with only a handful of practitioners across major health institutions and just two serving the entire northern region.
Also speaking, the Acting Registrar, Philomena Omoike, said the institution was founded as a diploma-awarding school in 2002 before its recent upgrade to a monotechnic institution.
“This is our inaugural matriculation for the pioneer students of the National Diploma programme. We are matriculating 53 students today,” she said.
Omoike added that the school had graduated over 800 occupational therapy assistants over the years, with more than 80 per cent currently practising outside Nigeria.
She urged the new students to remain committed to their studies and uphold the institutional.
