Since then, members of the NSP have attended the International Congress held by the WCPT, with some occupying positions in the executive committee.
They were employed by the Nigerian national government and charged with the responsibility of treating wounded and disabled Nigerian soldiers who returned home from Burma and other war fronts during World War II, as well as starting a training program in physiotherapy (Oshin, 1986).
Several of the individuals who graduated from the program subsequently proceeded to the UK for further studies to become Chartered Physiotherapists.
[4] The quest for excellence in physiotherapy education in Nigeria was shaped, decades ago, by the decision of the NSP to upgrade the first physiotherapy training program located within the Royal (Now National) Orthopedic Hospital at Igbobi, Lagos to a university setting (Oshin, 1986).
The OAU curriculum was designed by the late Professor Vincent Nwuga, who received his professional education from the UK, Canadian, and American universities.
Between 1966 and 1997, physiotherapy education in Nigeria was a four-year program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree.
In 1998, the curriculum in all the Universities was upgraded to a five-year professional Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) or a BMR-PT degree.
Despite these critical strides, the entry-level education for physiotherapy practice in Nigeria is still at the baccalaureate degree level.
A proposal submitted to the National Universities Commission by the NSP and Medical Rehabilitation Therapist Board (MRTB) is awaiting approval.
The First Pan-African Physiotherapy Congress was held in the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, and LUTH by the NSP on 28 May – 3 June 1979.