The Association of Radiographers of Nigeria has strongly opposed a proposed bill before the National Assembly, describing it as a deliberate attempt to dismantle the radiography profession in Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference in Kano, the association’s president, Musa Dembele, criticised the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026, stating that it seeks to transfer the statutory responsibilities of radiographers to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
Dembele described the bill as a calculated move that could effectively erase radiography as an independent profession, warning that it threatens over five decades of professional practice in the country. He argued that certain provisions of the bill would strip the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria of its regulatory authority.
The association also raised concerns about what it termed “conceptual theft,” alleging that the bill attempts to redefine radiology in a way that sidelines radiography as a distinct scientific discipline.
On financial implications, the group criticised provisions requiring a significant portion of practising fees to be shared with the Nigerian Medical Association, describing it as exploitative and financially motivated.
Additionally, the association opposed another proposed amendment bill affecting the Radiographers Registration Board, warning that increased ministerial control and the inclusion of non-radiographers could undermine professional independence.
The group called on the National Assembly to reject the bill and instead convene a stakeholders’ summit to develop a balanced regulatory framework that respects all health professions.
It stressed that globally, radiography is regulated independently and urged Nigeria to align with international standards rather than adopt what it described as a substandard model.
