The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has fired a stern warning shot at the National Universities Commission (NUC) over its recent decision to upgrade the academic titles of pharmacists, physiotherapists, and optometrists to “Doctor” in Nigerian universities.
In a strongly worded statement issued by its National Executive Council, NARD expressed deep concerns about the move, branding it a potential catalyst for confusion, interprofessional rivalry, and medical quackery in an already overstretched health sector.
The NUC had announced the change as part of efforts to align Nigeria’s academic standards with so-called “global best practices,” authorizing graduates of Pharmacy (PharmD), Physiotherapy (DPT), and Optometry (OD) programmes to carry the “Doctor” title. But NARD insists the decision is not only misleading but also structurally flawed.
“While we respect and support the growth and welfare of all healthcare professionals, this change in nomenclature is premature and dangerous,” the statement reads. “It risks misleading patients, undermines clinical leadership, and could weaken the teamwork that is essential to healthcare delivery.”
NARD noted that the rebranding lacks alignment with established norms in advanced healthcare systems. “In countries like the UK and Germany, the ‘Doctor’ title is reserved strictly for those who have attained a PhD or completed postgraduate-level clinical doctorates. It is not casually conferred after an undergraduate degree,” the association emphasized.
The doctors argued that the confusion caused by indiscriminate use of the “Doctor” title could have serious consequences for patient safety and professional accountability. “Globally, the roles are clear: clinical diagnosis and medical leadership rest with licensed physicians. Tampering with these boundaries invites chaos and compromises care,” NARD warned.
The association also accused some healthcare groups of spending the last two decades locked in turf wars with doctors rather than advocating for genuine system-wide reforms. “From 2005 to 2025, most strikes by non-doctor health worker unions have focused on parity with medical doctors, particularly demands to equate the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) with the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).”
NARD questioned the motive behind the NUC’s decision, warning that without robust public education and regulatory safeguards, the new titles could be exploited by impostors. “This policy risks opening the floodgates to quackery, with devastating consequences in a system already battling staff shortages, funding gaps, and public distrust.”
While acknowledging the importance of all health professions, NARD urged the NUC to prioritize policies that foster mutual respect, clear roles, and effective interprofessional collaboration. “Every healthcare worker has a vital and distinct role in the system. Elevating one’s value should not come at the cost of misleading the public or destabilizing clinical governance.”
In a final appeal, the doctors’ body called on the NUC to withdraw the policy and instead focus on reforms that enhance transparency, accountability, and teamwork in the sector.
“We believe in progress—but not at the expense of clarity, safety, and professional integrity,” NARD concluded.
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