The demand for medical imaging procedures has led to a surge in diagnostic investigations, resulting in rising complication trends and a nationwide manpower shortage in Nigeria. According to Air Commodore Bolaji Israel Jayeoba, a radiography expert, the complexity of radiography has prompted many institutions to establish full faculties for the discipline. Jayeoba, who spoke at the induction and oath-taking ceremony of radiography graduands at Osun State University, highlighted the challenges facing the sector, including a severe shortage of trained professionals, inadequate infrastructure, and epileptic power supply.

With only 5,000 radiographers serving a population of 200 million, Nigeria has a radiographer-to-population ratio of 1:40,000, which is considered deeply inadequate. The country also lacks sufficient medical imaging equipment, with only 183 CT machines and 58 MRI machines available as of 2018 and 2016, respectively. Jayeoba cited human error, lack of standardised working environments, and poor remuneration as specific challenges facing radiographers.

The consequences of these shortcomings include increased medical migration, low local investment, and exploitation of gaps by foreign investors. However, Jayeoba also outlined opportunities in various fields, including general radiography, radiotherapy, and nuclear medicine, urging graduands to remain open to continuous learning. He called on the government to invest in radiography equipment, emphasizing the need for practitioners to be part of the process.

The Vice Chancellor of Osun State University, Prof Odunayo Clement Adebooye, commended the presence of the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria, highlighting the university’s commitment to quality. The Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof David Adekunle, welcomed the inductees and urged them to prioritize patient safety and uphold professionalism and excellence. The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria, Prof Mark Okeji, congratulated the graduands and advised them to take their internship seriously as a prerequisite for full registration.

The induction ceremony marked a significant milestone in the history of the college, with the President of the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria, Dr Musa Yusuf Dambele, welcoming the newly inducted radiographers and urging them to make their presence felt in their workplaces. The event reinforced the importance of addressing the challenges facing the radiography sector in Nigeria, including the need for increased investment in equipment and training to improve healthcare outcomes.