By Chioma Obinna

Amid the Japa syndrome, the Federal School of Occupational Therapy, FSOT, has increased its student intake for the 2024/2025 academic session as part of efforts to address the shortage of health professionals.

FSOT, a diploma-awarding institution, has produced over 750 occupational therapy assistants in the last 23 years.

However, the increasing demand for professionals has led to the matriculation of 84 students this year, up from 62 last year.

The strategic move aims to address the growing shortage of healthcare professionals in Nigeria, especially occupational therapists, many of whom are migrating abroad in search of better opportunities.

Speaking during the matriculation ceremony, the Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye emphasised the need to increase the production of healthcare workers.

“In line with the mandates of the Minister of Health and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we are increasing our intake to address the migration of medical professionals.

“Rather than prevent them from leaving, we should produce more. In the future, they will be a source of gain to us, as they will send money home and return with new knowledge and skills.”

He said the increase in student admissions coincided with the ongoing expansion of the school’s facilities, explaining that the new multi-story building under construction will house a skill acquisition centre, library, and lecture halls, which will enable the institution to accommodate up to 150 students in the near future.

Owoeye also addressed the pressing issue of migration in the field of occupational therapy, a sector where Nigeria faces a severe shortage of professionals. “The occupational therapists we have are not enough for the needs of our institutions. Many are migrating, especially to the United Kingdom, where our graduates are highly sought after,” he explained.

He was optimistic that the migration of health professionals remains a potential source of growth for Nigeria in the long term.

Owoeye emphasised the significance of occupational therapy in healthcare.  “Occupational therapists are vital members of the multidisciplinary team in psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities. They train patients to regain lost functions after illness or injury. For example, patients who lose their ability to work after illness are retrained by occupational therapists,” he explained.

Speaking, the Acting Registrar of FSOT, Mrs. Philomena Omoike, corroborated the views of Owoeye on the need for an increased intake of students.

 Omoike lamented the severe shortage of occupational therapists in Nigeria, noting that only two institutions—FSOT and the University of Medical Sciences (UniMed), Ondo—currently train these professionals. “In the past 23 years, our school has produced just 756 occupational therapy assistants. This is grossly inadequate for the health sector, especially with many of them moving abroad,” she noted.

Omoike revealed that more than 30 FSOT graduates recently relocated to the UK, while 10 others moved to the US. “Our diploma certificate is recognised in the UK, and our curriculum aligns with international standards. When they leave, the UK Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) contacts us to verify their credentials. Once they review our curriculum, they place our graduates where they deserve to be,” she said.

While some see FSOT as a pathway to migrate abroad, Omoike urged students to stay committed to the profession and contribute to Nigeria’s healthcare system. “If we can achieve job satisfaction here, many youth will not leave. This is why we are strengthening our affiliation with UniMed, allowing our graduates to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy through direct entry.”

The institution’s plan is ambitious but achievable. “If UniMed can take 50 of our graduates and Ife takes another 50 annually, we can push at least 100 qualified occupational therapists into the labour market yearly. This is how we will flood the system with enough trained personnel to meet demand,” Omoike said