Is Radiography A Good Course in Nigeria?

Besides medical laboratory science, radiography is another course that offers career opportunities in the Nigerian health sector. 

It is quite understandable if you find yourself considering this course because you have been offered admission to study radiography instead of your preferred course. For some other people, there is a genuine fascination with the world of radiography and scientific research.

Whichever category you fall into, it wouldn’t hurt to know a thing or two about this profession before starting a radiography degree program in Nigeria.

If you are interested in knowing about radiography including salary, job prospects, and other facts then you are reading the right article. Just read through and drop a comment if you have any questions. I would be sure to leave a reply.

What is radiography all about?

Medical radiography is the use of X-ray and other imaging techniques involving radiation to view the internal parts of the body to diagnose and treat human diseases. 

Qualified radiographers can work in the Nigerian healthcare sector to assist doctors carry out the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Radiographers vs Radiologists- What is the difference?

Radiographers are quite different from radiologists. Although both work with radiation, radiographers are allied health professionals who use their skills in medical imaging to help other health professionals, especially doctors. 

Radiologists are medical doctors who use the same techniques to diagnose and treat patients. It might already be obvious that radiologists are the ‘doctors’ that radiographers work with. But radiographers also work with other types of doctors besides radiologists.

Radiography Registration Board of Nigeria.

The Radiography Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN) was established by decree 42 of 1987. The RRBN regulates the practice of radiography in Nigeria. 

As part of its functions the RRBN registers radiographers in Nigeria, regulates the professional training of radiographers, and strives to maintain ethical standards in the profession.

The current registrar is Professor Mark Chukwudi Okeji.

Admission requirements for studying radiography in Nigeria

To get admitted to study radiography, you would usually need to meet the following requirements;

For UTME admission,

• You need to take English, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics.
• You also need credit-level passes in English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology.

For Direct Entry admission,

• A’Level passes in Chemistry, Physics, and Biology.
• A first degree or diploma in a related field as specified by the admitting department.

How to qualify as a radiographer in Nigeria

To qualify as a radiographer in Nigeria, you would have to go through the following steps;

• Complete your 5-year degree program in radiography.
• Complete a one-year internship at a training institute accredited by the radiography registration board of Nigeria. During this time you would be given provisional registration status.
• Complete a one-year internship at an institution accredited by RRBN.

Job prospects for radiographers in Nigeria

Radiography is a secret goldmine in the Nigerian healthcare sector. Many don’t know that being a radiographer can provide a lot of exciting job opportunities because of the sensitive nature of the work. This is partly because radiography as a university major is relatively new in Nigeria.

Radiographers in Nigeria can work in hospitals, research centers, and laboratories but frankly, we don’t have many of those in the country. 

However, because of laws that stipulate that only qualified radiographers can perform certain tasks related to the profession, skilled radiographers are in high demand in Nigeria.

This means that if your dream is to work for companies as a radiographer you would have some luck within and outside Nigeria- especially developed countries like the U.S., UK, Canada, etc.

Having said that, radiographers can set up their own laboratory easily in Nigeria. Although this requires some start-up capital, it can lead to a higher level of income.

Radiographer salary

An entry-level radiographer can earn around N120k per month on average. This is an average which means that radiographers can earn much more than this or slightly less depending on where you work. Of course, this figure increases with more experience and a higher level of skill.

Radiography vs Nursing Salary in Nigeria

An entry-level Nurse earns around N80k per month on average. This is because the job market for Nurses is very competitive- Many people have an interest in the profession and are trying to build careers as Nurses. 

However, there is potential for much higher earnings if they travel to other countries. Some Nurses can still earn more than radiographers. It all depends on where they work.

Is radiography a hard course in Nigeria?

Radiography students have to go through a lot of material in different science-related areas. The programme is usually rigorous so don’t expect it to be a walk in the park. But you would find your training to have been rewarding after completing it.

Is radiography in demand in the USA?

Yes, radiographers have a reasonably high demand in the United States. In fact, the Bureau of Labour Statistics projects a 5% job growth in the U.S. for this field between 2022 and 2032.

To work as a radiographer in the U.S., you would have to meet the requirements set by the American Registry of Radiologic Technicians (ARRT). These requirements include;

• You must have earned an associate degree or higher from an institution enjoying accreditation from an ARRT-recognized body.

• You must also undergo an educational program verified by the AART.

Conclusion

If you are in love with science, like to work in a technical field, and would want to build a career in the health sector then radiography is a good career option for you.

Studying radiography would require a lot of effort and hard work but it can provide exciting job opportunities even for beginners in Nigeria.

So what do you think about studying this course? If you have further questions feel free to ask in the comment section.

Frequently Asked Questions

I would go over some frequently asked questions people usually have about studying radiography in Nigeria.

Are radiographers rich in Nigeria?

Yes, some radiographers are rich in Nigeria. This is particularly true for those who can successfully open diagnostic centers in Nigeria. However, if you work at healthcare organizations you may earn anywhere between N1,200,000 and N6,000,000 annually.

Where are radiographers paid the most?

Radiographers working in federal health centers earn considerably higher salaries than others in most cases. However, due to high demand, radiographers can potentially earn more by taking on more work to increase their income.

Which is better, radiography or pharmacy?

Pharmacy may not have as many job opportunities as radiography does but in terms of salary and potential entrepreneurial ventures, pharmacists can earn more than radiographers both in Nigeria and outside Nigeria.

That being said, the job market for pharmacists is quite competitive in Nigeria.

Ultimately choose a career path that you are genuinely passionate about and your diligence would result in higher earnings. For example, If you love working with people, pharmacy might be a better choice for you.

Is radiography harder than Nursing?

Both Nursing and radiography require a significant amount of effort to find success. But if you want to work abroad as a nurse, as a result of new NMCN verification rules, you would now have to spend more time gaining experience after going through a stressful first-degree program. Nursing degree programs take longer and so require more effort.

Ultimately, your passion for either of the courses determines how you cope with the stressful demands of the job.

Do Nurses earn more than radiographers?

No, it doesn’t seem that nurses earn more than radiographers in Nigeria because of the higher amount of competition in the job market for nurses. However, some nurses earn significantly higher wages than radiographers because they work at higher-paying organizations.

Which country is best for a radiographer job?

Australia pays radiographers a considerably higher salary than other countries. Radiographers in Australia can earn as much as $106,969 per year

Can a radiographer do a Master’s in Nursing?

Yes. Although this is not common, there are universities abroad where radiographers can further their education with nursing degrees.