Physiotherapy as a word simply has to do with 'physical treatments' that helps to revitalise weak or disfigured parts of the human body. It is treatment to restore, maintain and make the most of a person's mobility, well-being and normal body functions. Physiotherapist gets you involved in your own injury. They help you attain maximum body recovery and at the same time help prevent future injuries.
Physiotherapy wasn't a common occupation in Nigeria until 1945, where it was introduced by two British Chartered Physiotherapist namely; Mr Williams and Miss Man field. They were hired by the Nigeria Government and attached to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Lagos. Their primary assignment was to treat wounded soldiers that returned home during the Second World War. Their second assignment was to start/organise a three year diploma course explaining everything regarding physiotherapy and putting it into practice, a few Nigerians turned up and they were educated successfully. On completion of the course they were designated as Assistant Physiotherapist and were asked to work under the chartered physiotherapist trained in England.
With time, the training programme stopped in Igbobi, Lagos and plans were made to continue the diploma course at a University college in Ibadan. The Bachelor of science degree in Physiotherapy course took of in 1966. The graduation of the first students in 1969 was a major landmark in the annals of Physiotherapy in Nigeria. The University of Ibadan was the first to award a Degree in Physiotherapy in Nigeria.
In 1971, the University of Lagos commenced a three year diploma course and it was later upgraded to Bachelor of science programme in 1977. The University of Iffe( now called Abofemi Awolowo University) followed Ibadan and Lagos in 1977 and decided to create a new course 'Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation'. The University of Nigeria, Nsukku also commenced a degree programme in 1987. Soon after other Universities like Federal School of Physiotherapy, Kano and University of Maiduguri and Nnamdi Azikiwe University followed. In 2015, Physiotherapy was introduced in the University of Benin, 'as part of an effort to help bridge the current gap in the field of rehabilitation medicine' as stated by Dr Israel Kayode Oke, the Hod of the Department.
Physiotherapy practice has spread all over Nigeria. Many of the physiotherapist from our universities practice their arts in many establishments around the world. Nigeria physiotherapist are known to be employed in Saudi Arabia and now many physiotherapist are moving to private ventures to continue the practice.
The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapist in 2009 celebrated 50 years of Physiotherapy practice in Nigeria. World Health Physiotherapy day is celebrated on the 8th of September globally. This is done in order to raise awareness of Physiotherapist and their roles in keeping people fit and healthy.