The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) is the national professional association representing Nigerian-trained physiotherapists as well as foreign-trained physiotherapists practicing in Nigeria. The society was inaugurated on 29 August 1959 at a meeting held at the Physiotherapy Department of the University College Hospital, Ibadan by a group of Nigerian and British Physiotherapists."
Contents
- NSP and the World Confederation of Physical Therapy
- Pan African CongressAfrica Physiotherapy Organisation
- References
The objective was the desirability and need for a professional organization. A constitution and Byelaws were drafted for ratification at the General Meeting.
The first General Meeting of the Society was held on 28 November 1959 in Lagos at a physiotherapist's home. Sixteen persons were present including the founder members. Within a short period (1961-1962) the society was recognised by the Federal Government and other Regional Governments. It was the only body that had the power to negotiate with the governments.State chapters of the society emerged after a few years. They were all under the umbrella of the parent body, Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP).
NSP and the World Confederation of Physical Therapy
The existence of the Nigerian Association was made known in 1960 to the World Confederation of Physical Therapy with the view of becoming a member of the World Body.
On application, the N.S.P was granted provisional membership in 1966. It was invited in 1967 to the 5th International Congress of the WCPT which took place in Melbourne, Australia. Three NSP members: Messrs Ajao, Kehinde as well as Mrs. Aboderin were present at the memorable congress where Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy was formally admitted as full member of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy on the afternoon of Thursday 18 May 1967. Since then, members of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy had attended the International Congress held by the World Body. Some even occupied positions in the Executive Committee.
Pan African Congress/Africa Physiotherapy Organisation
The First Pan-African Physiotherapy Congress was held in the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, and LUTH by the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy on 28 May – 3 June 1979. The Congress was a processor to the African Physiotherapy Organisation. The Executive Committee of the Organisation met in Cairo, Egypt.
The society not only organizes its Annual Scientific Conferences and Meetings since inception, it also provides continuous professional development forums for members and other health professionals. The official journal for research publication is Journal of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy.The society is passionate and advocates for events relating to physical therapy,physical fitness,quality of life and wellness of the Nigerian Nation.The benchmark curriculum of training in Nigeria for a physiotherapy degree in the University is the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (B. Physio) and the society is looking to harness efforts with other stakeholders to upgrade the curriculum to Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT). This led to talks with the faculty of University of Michigan-Flint over two years ago and an alliance was struck to commence the transitional DPT program.Recently the first set of Nigerian students graduated at the University Commencement which held in May 2013.