Radiography in Nigeria is like an untapped gold mine.
There are tons of lucrative medical courses to study at the University.
For some folks, one can only become Doctor, pharmacist, Nurse, or Laboratory scientist.
Most people, however, seem to be unaware of this super important aspect of the healthcare sector in Nigeria: Radiography!
Radiography is a very good medical course that involves the use of electromagnetic waves and imaging procedures, to clarify, diagnose, and treat different medical conditions.
Do you want to know all that it entails? Perfect question!
In this article, I will dwell solely on Radiography in Nigeria. You would learn all about their roles in the healthcare sector, salary, and yes, a pathway into which you can become one yourself!
If you’re ready, then let’s ride!
What is Radiography?
Just like a normal practice, Radiography is an imaging technique that employs electromagnetic waves like X-rays, gamma arrays, and other ionization radio waves, to view structures located inside of the body.
As you know, our body is covered by skin, skeleton, and fascia, which help to protect our delicate organs and internal structures. So, the practice of Radiography involves using different imaging techniques to view objects in the body. Do you get the point?
So, a Radiographer is healthcare personnel who uses electromagnetic waves to see objects inside the body. These types of medical practitioners are basically technologists who operate heavy machines capable of viewing the inside of the body.
What is Radiology?
Now, there used to be a mix-up here: the differences between a Radiographer and a Radiologist. Who is a Radiologist?
A radiologist is a medical personnel who uses such X-ray images gotten from the human body to diagnose and treat diseases. Radiology is typically a specialty of medicine that employs the use of those images gotten from the Radiographers to treat a particular disease.
Let’s say a patient presents to the hospital with a fracture of the leg. The radiographer is the technologist who then uses machines to get images of the broken leg. When this is out, the Radiologist who is a medical doctor then interprets it perfectly and uses the knowledge gotten to treat the patient adequately.
What is the difference between Radiologist and Radiologher in Nigeria?
1. Education
The major difference between a Radiographer and a radiologist is that they attend different levels of education. A Radiologist is actually a medical doctor who specialized in Radiology while a Radiographer is a medical professional who has learned the art of operating quality imaging machines, using them to obtain images of internal structures in the body.
Radiographers in Nigeria study Radiographers as an undergraduate course during which they’re trained to use such equipment, as well as preventive measures during usage. However, Radiologists enroll in 6 years of medical school, before proceeding to specialize in Radiology.
2. Roles In hospital
Radiographers present images gotten from electromagnetic waves to the Radiologist who then interprets it perfectly and makes a diagnosis. So the summary is: Radiographers use equipment to get internal images of patients, Radiologists use the information to determine the problem with the patient and profers possible treatment.
Full List of Universities Offering Radiography Program in Nigeria
Here are the 7 universities you can choose to study Radiography in Nigeria:
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka
- University of Lagos, Akoka.
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
- University of Calabar
- University of Maiduguri
- Bayero University, Kano.
- Usmani Danfodio University, Sokoto.
How Long is Radiography in Nigeria?
Studying Radiography costs 5 years and covers ten semesters during the undergraduate program. When you’re finished studying the course, you would be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree (B.sc) in Radiography or a Bachelor in Radiography (B.Rad).
How to become a Radiographer in Nigeria?
Becoming a Radiographer in Nigeria can be achieved following these steps:
1. Choose Schools accredited for Radiography
Radiography is a unique course that is not offered by all Universities in Nigeria. There are specific universities that are fully accredited by the National University Commission to begin the training of Radiographers in Nigeria. And as such, you need to be super careful.
You need to screen all the trains of universities and ensure the one you want to study is actually accredited for Radiography.
Previously, I had listed all the universities offering Radiography training in Nigeria. Go through the list and pick the best one for you.
2. Put Radiography In Your JAMB form
The next step to becoming a Radiographer is for you to select Radiography as your preferred choice of course when filling JAMB form.
Also, be careful to check that the university selected is among the full list of accredited universities offering Radiography in Nigeria.
3. Write the UTME and Pass The UTME
As expected, after applying for JAMB, you would write the examination. Now you should prepare as best as you can. Since there are quite a few universities offering Radiography in Nigeria, the competition might be off the roof!
Work super hard during your preparations, score high in JAMB, and then proceed to the next step.
4. Proceed for University screening
It’s been a norm recent, for institutions to screen aspirants into a particular course. So you should also prepare for the post-UTME screening of your school of choice.
This is not a time to relax but instead intensify your preparations in order to completely seal your admission slot.
5. Get Admission and become serious in studies
Admission should be an easy ride if you score very well in your JAMB and Post-UTME examinations. Now you’re in school, you should be focused, study well, and let the school training pass through you.
6. Graduate and start working
After spending 5 years and passing all examinations, congratulations, you’re now a Radiographer. Go ahead, apply for jobs, and get to work!
Requirments to Apply for Radiography in JAMB
1. WAEC Requirements
During your West African Examination Council Examinations, you should have at least a Credit pass (C6) in the following five subjects in not more than two sittings:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
2. UTME/JAMB Requirements and subjects combination
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board requires you to have written the following subjects in the present UTME:
- The use of English language
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Physical and Health Education
- Computer studies
Note: The above is a result of the latest update by JAMB that includes two additional courses for all students writing UTME from 2022.
Radiography Salary in Nigeria: What do they earn?
Have you ever wondered “how much do Radiographers earn in Nigeria?” If yes, then you’re on track!
The salary of Radiographers in the country depends on tons of factors. The first is the place of work.
Generally, Radiographers working in the federal government-owned hospitals earn between N100, 000 – N150, 000 monthly. State government hospitals pay somewhat lower around N75, 000 – N120, 000.
Then in private hospitals, Radiographers earn an average of N100, 000 monthly.
How Lucrative is Radiography in Nigeria: Is it a Good course
There are tons of people asking whether Radiography is a good course to study in the country.
Like I would always say, the key here is: Relevance.
Radiography is super relevant in the healthcare sector, so yes, Radiography is a good and lucrative course to study.
Here’s how I came about it;
There are thousands of hospitals in Nigeria. And to every good hospital, there is a need for a medical professional who will perform X-rays, CTI, Mammography, and other imaging techniques to diagnose patients. So, basically, every sound hospital needs a Radiographer.
But is Radiography really lucrative? Follow me.
Radiography is a skill. Yes, It takes a very learned professional to be able to use those sophisticated machinery to get images from the human body. Now this skill is a highly sought-after one in hospitals in Nigeria and across the globe.
How do I Know?
I simply visited MedicalworldNigeria and searched for Radiography jobs in Nigeria. For those who don’t know, Medicalworldnigeria is a great platform to search for jobs in the health sector. As a Doctor, Nurse, lab scientist, Pharmacist, or any health worker, you can get your ideal job through their platform.
So, after searching for Radiography jobs, I found 19 jobs just in the space of one month: 11th January – 4th February 2022.
Here are some images:
Summary: Radiography is actually a good course to study in Nigeria if you want to work in the healthcare sector.
Final Words on Radiography in Nigeria
Radiography is one of the most underrated fields in the healthcare sector. No good healthcare setting can do without a Radiographer. It’s lucrative, provides job satisfaction, and involves the task of saving lives.
Is there any other thing you need to know about Radiography in Nigeria? Let’s talk below!
