Occupational Therapists Urged to Strengthen Identity, Leadership at National Conference
The National Association of Occupational Therapists (OTAN) held its first official national conference after more than two decades.
In Brief
- •The National Association of Occupational Therapists (OTAN) held its first official national conference after more than two decades.
- •President Oluwasegun Ayeni called for a stronger professional identity, better leadership, and improved working conditions for occupational therapists.
- •The three‑day event, hosted at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, focused on occupational therapy’s role in national development and functional restoration.
- •Participants included clinicians, academics, students, and stakeholders from across Nigeria.
- •The conference theme highlighted occupational therapy’s potential to enable people with disabilities to access education, employment, and societal participation.
Why It Matters
The conference marks a pivotal moment for occupational therapy in Nigeria, positioning the profession as a key contributor to national development and inclusive growth. By advocating for stronger identity and leadership, the association seeks to elevate the discipline’s visibility, secure better remuneration, and retain skilled practitioners, thereby enhancing service delivery for individuals with disabilities across the country.
Key Details
- Conference Theme
- Sustainable Nation, Functional Individual: Leveraging Occupational Therapy for Functional Restoration of Individuals in Developing Countries
- Conference Duration
- Three days
- Venue
- Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos
- First Official National Gathering
- Yes
- Call for Improved Working Conditions
- Yes
Context & Background
The National Association of Occupational Therapists (OTAN) was established over twenty years ago, but this was its first national gathering, underscoring a long‑awaited milestone for the profession.
Original Reporting & Sources
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