Physiotherapists Salary Structure In Nigeria (2024)

Physiotherapists salary structure in Nigeria currently in this year 2024 is what we shall be discussing in this article. Here, we give you a detailed breakdown of how much physiotherapists are paid in Nigeria in order for you to understand what their monthly take home pay is, especially if you have the ambition to become one of them any time soon. This article defines what physiotherapy really is and as we proceed, we explain how one can become a physical therapist in the country today.

WHAT IS PHYSIOTHERAPY?

Physiotherapy is a medical or health care profession that deals with the restoration, maintenance and maximization of people’s strength, function, movement, and their general well-being. This medical field is also known as physical therapy and it should not confuse you when you hear people using the two words interchangeably.

WHO ARE PHYSIOTHERAPISTS?

Physiotherapists are health workers who have special skills in diagnosing and treating various illnesses that may have resulted through injury. They also take special care in treating people with various physical disabilities that may have hindered their ability to move freely certain body parts, especially as it relates to bones, muscles or as it concerns certain neurological and cardio-thoracic conditions.

These health care professionals have comprehensive and thorough knowledge, and they are the go to specialists for treatment of injuries and certain physical disabilities some of which are as a result of the ageing process. The field of physiotherapy encompasses the prevention of injury, the rehabilitation of injured and physically disabled people as well as the promotion of health and fitness.

WHO VISITS A PHYSIOTHERAPIST?

People who visit physiotherapists include children with cerebral palsy, pregnant women, preterm babies, athletes, people undergoing rehabilitation after an injury, old people experiencing pain due to senescence as well as those who require help following heart disease, strokes, or major surgery. People with back pain, and burns can also visit a physiotherapist.

HOW TO BECOME A PHYSIOTHERAPIST IN NIGERIA

In order to become a physiotherapist, you must be science inclined at secondary school level, and you must have five (5) credit passes in your core science subjects including Mathematics and English Language in not more than two (2) sitting at your O’Level (WAEC/NECO).

Once you have successfully scaled through your O’Level, you are to sit for JAMB UTME of which your subject combinations should be Use of English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, abs once you pass your UTME and Post-UTME, you will be admitted into your school of choice to study physiotherapy which is a 4-5 years course. Upon graduation, you will be awarded Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT), or Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation (BMR).

If you want to practice your profession as a physiotherapist in Nigeria, you must be licensed by the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria (MRTB). Nigerian University graduates of physiotherapy as well as their counterparts trained in foreign schools are first licensed by the MRTB before they can practice in the country.

PHYSIOTHERAPISTS SALARY STRUCTURE IN NIGERIA 2024

On the average, the salary structure for physiotherapists in Nigeria this 2024 is about ₦160,000 per month. Entry level salaries for physiotherapists in Nigeria ranges around the pay scale between ₦80,000 – ₦100,000 per month while physiotherapists in senior positions earn around ₦270,000 or more on a monthly basis.

The salary of intern physiotherapists working at federal medical centres and teaching hospitals in Nigeria is around ₦70,000 – ₦90,000 per month, while NYSC corper physiotherapists are paid monthly salaries between the ₦40,000-₦60,000 scale and this is dependent on their State of deployment as well as their place of primary assignment (PPA). Kindly note that corpers salaries are different from their NYSC monthly stipends which is ₦33,000.

PLACES WHERE A LICENSED PHYSIOTHERAPIST CAN WORK IN NIGERIA 

The following are places where a licensed physical therapist can work in Nigeria. They include:

• Teaching Hospitals
• Federal Medical Centres
• Orthopaedic Hospitals
• General Hospitals
• Psychiatric Hospitals
• Private Hospitals
• Private Physiotherapy Clinics
• Research Centres
• Sport Medicine Centres
• Sports/Football Clubs
• Universities where physiotherapy is offered
• Physical Fitness Centres
• Industrial Clinics
• Home Services.

LIST OF NUC ACCREDITED UNIVERSITIES OFFERING PHYSIOTHERAPY IN NIGERIA

The following are the universities approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to teach physical therapy:

• University of Lagos, Akoka
• University of Ibadan
• University of Maiduguri
• University of Calabar
• Bowen University
• Bayero University, Kano
• Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State
• University of Benin
• Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife
• University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus
• Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
• University of Ilorin.