By Yabotul Kime Bulama, JSS 2A
Radiography is the art and science of imaging body cells, tissues, bones, muscles and organs for the purpose of diagnosis using scientific techniques and tools such as ionizing radiations (X-rays and Gamma rays).
Specialist: A person qualified and licensed to handle ionization radiation is called a radiographer
Diseases diagnosed by radiographers: cancer, growth in the body, fractures, pictures of internal organs
Tests carried out by radiographers: CT scan, MRI scan, bone scan, ultrasonography, mammography
O’ level subjects required to study radiography: English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
UTME (JAMB) subjects: English, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry
Duration of course at the university: Students are meant to study for five years. After which they go for a one-year internship, students who successfully conclude their internship are inducted by the Radiographers’ Registration Board of Nigeria(RRBN), the person can then proceed for a one-year national service with the NYSC. The RRBN is the body saddled by law to regulate and license the practice of radiography in Nigeria.
Some universities that offer radiography in Nigeria
I. Bayero University Kano
II. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
III. University of Calabar
IV. University of Lagos
V. University of Maiduguri
VI. University of Nigeria, Nsukka
VII. Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto
Career prospects in radiography in Nigeria
In this world of survival of the fittest, one needs all the information necessary to make the best decision in life. This includes choosing one’s education and career life.
Is there any profession on earth in which you are always in demand? Have you ever seen an unemployed radiographer in Nigeria? Is there a profession presently for which demand far exceeds supply because not many universities offer the discipline? That profession is Radiography.
Have you noticed that radiography job adverts regularly appear in our dailies? Most of those adverts are futile because you hardly see any job seeker apply. You can only get a qualified radiographer by networking with other radiographers. Older radiographers will have to convince their junior colleagues to take up jobs.
In private hospitals, you find that radiographers are on duty once or twice a week. You find many radiographers working in more than one hospital due to very high demand for their services.
Yabotul is of JSS Kubwa IV, Abuja
