A former President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Prof. Gabriel Ogundipe, has underscored the need for a specific curriculum for veterinary education in Nigeria.
Ogundipe disclosed this during his valedictory lecture at the University of Ibadan in Ibadan.
The event was held on Ogundipe’s retirement and birthday after active service at the University of Ibadan (UI).
He said more than 20 universities globally have adopted the speciation curriculum to lessen the burden of veterinary education on students while they receive training.
According to him, problems with developing veterinary curricula include knowledge explosion or problems with too much knowledge, perceptions, and clients’ unmet demands from veterinarians.
Others are the rigidity of the multi-species curriculum and the high cost of veterinary education, which are reasons private universities do not offer the course.
“The pre-clinical and para-clinical remain basically the same. Three lines Specialisation will be available i.e. companion option, food animal option, wildlife option.
“A student will focus on one option. Courses in non-selected option will be available as electives.”
Ogundipe noted that the advantage would be that students can select an area of specialisation and concentrate on the selected clinical options, resulting in more profound knowledge and better expertise.
“This is compatible with practice because every veterinarian selects the practice option,” he said.
The don also said there was a need for training in veterinary nursing, which had been lacking in the field due to the Federal Government’s target being the livestock industry.
“The system so far adopted has led to tremendous knowledge explosion and high cost of training.
“A proposal is made for adopting Speciation (tracking) DVM curriculum and training of Veterinary nurses as the fourth phase.
“I suggest the setting up of a Technical Committee by the VON to chat a new Course for Veterinary education for Nigeria.
“Lecturers in the clinical departments have been yearning for the training of Veterinary nurses that will serve our hospital system,” Ogundipe said.
Also, the Head of Department, Veterinary Public and Preventive Medicine, UI, Prof. Victoria Adetunji said, Prof. Ogundipe infused his commitment to the Veterinary profession in Nigeria by serving in various capacities.
“Prof. Ogundipe has also played a substantial role in pioneering expertise and experience in veterinary jurisprudence.
“His impact and contributions to Nigeria’s academia and the veterinary profession will not be easily forgotten,” Adetunji said.
The event also featured the unveiling of a book in honour of Ogundipe’s retirement and birthday titled ‘Blurred Lines of Bloodliness in Global Health Challenges”, by his mentees.
