Nutrition and Dietetics career/job prospect in Nigeria (2024)

Are you planning to study Nutrition and Dietetics in Nigeria and wondering what your career can look like? Are you already studying and still haven’t aligned with a career path?

This post is written for you.

And if you just want to know whether Nutrition and Dietetics is a good career in Nigeria, YES it is.

Nutrition and Dietetics is a professional course and one of the most profitable courses in Nigeria. The reason you probably didn’t know that is due to the widespread misconception in Nigeria that nutrition and dietetics is often about “cooking”. Well, that misconception is going away now.

Nutrition and Dietetics is NOT all about cooking.

Yes, it can involve cooking and cooking methods. But its for the purpose of supervision of food processes in order to ensure food safety.

What Human Nutrition and Dietetics is all about is beyond that, as you will realize at the end of this post.

What is Nutrition and Dietetics about?

Nutrition and Dietetics is the application of the science of nutrition to the prevention and treatment of diseases. And as well promote good health through dietary measures.

Studying Human Nutrition and Dietetics will equip you with the necessary skills to become a Registered Dietitian (RD) in Nigeria.

Which is the only qualified health professional that can assess, diagnose and treat nutrition-related problems of individuals or a target population.

You will learn how food intake and nutrient requirements can be altered by illness, and how to apply therapeutic diets to treat various disease conditions.

On completion of the four-year academic programme in the university, you are required to proceed on the mandatory one-year internship at a teaching hospital to enable you become a Registered Dietitian (RD).

Or a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist (RDN) as the case may be.

You see, Human Nutrition and Dietetics is not all about cooking.

It is a broad, practical, yet interesting, field that helps you positively affect the lives of many people.

Particularly in prevention and treatment of diseases, though, with the application of dietary measures.

In Nigeria, the department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics is domiciled in the Medical college of most universities. While it is in the Faculty of Agriculture in some.

This bares little meaning on the medical implication of this unique field.

As a prospective Nutritionist or Dietitian, you might also like to check out some of our other posts:

Tips to prevent diabetes, hepatitis, high blood pressure

List of Hospitals for IT/Internship in Human Nutrition & Dietetic

Career opportunities in Human Nutrition and Dietetics

The direction your career takes will depend on your individual interest.

Most graduates of Human Nutrition and Dietetics in Nigeria seek employment in the hospital. So they can specialize in areas such as;

• Child nutrition;
• Community health;
• Internal medicine;
• Sports nutrition;
• Nutritional support (enteral and parental nutrition) and
• Advanced patient care.

While others move into;

• Private practice;
• Research;
• Voluntary and non-governmental organization;
• Nutrition counselling and
• The food industry.

This blog contains five (5) career options for graduates of Nutrition and Dietetics in Nigeria. That’s in addition to the other career options already mentioned.

I have no doubt you will realize Human Nutrition and Dietetics is way beyond what you ever thought.

6 things you can do with a degree/higher diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics

Below are work opportunities for graduates of Nutrition and Dietetics in Nigeria.

1. Private Practice

Once you are a Registered Dietician (RD) or Registered Dietician-Nutritionist (RDN), it means you have been licensed to practice as a Dietician.

You can practice independently with individual patients, or target group / population in your area of specialization. You will assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems.

Most common diet-related diseases such as stroke, obesity, diabetes, chronic heart diseases, ischaemia and other diseases require consistent management and monitoring.

A Dietitian comes in handy wherever these medications are.

You could work with people who have an eating disorder, HIV, digestive problems, food allergy, want to lose weight, need to put on weight perhaps after an illness or condition.

And, people who want to improve their sports performance.

As a Registered Dietitian (RD) on practicing independently. You use your knowledge of food to help your clients make the right decisions about food.

Especially, what to eat and how not to eat, which play a major role in the overall health and well being of individuals.

What is the difference between a Nutritionist and a Dietitian?

Nutritionist and Dietitian generally mean the same thing. Both terms are often used loosely to refer to a Doctor of food.

For example, a graduate of Nutrition and Dietetics is a Dietitian or Nutritionist, but not a Registered Dietitian.

More specifically,

Nutritionists are food experts that ensure the food we consume contain the right amount of nutrients we need. While Registered Dietitians are health professionals that apply nutrition knowledge to treat sickness and diseases.

To be a Registered Dietitian, you must undergo a one-year internship in an approved hospital for Dietetics internship. Then you will be given a license to practice.

Nutritionists and Registered Dietitians have slightly different training, though both perform similar roles. They’re also regulated by different professional bodies (Nutrition Society of Nigeria, and Dietetics Association of Nigeria).

Trust your question is answered!

2. Community Health Worker

Community health nutritionists work mainly in educating individuals and target groups / population in communities, villages, and urban areas.

They educated them on food choices, nutrition, health and disease relationship all to ensure members of the community have better health.

Here, you will have a lot of contact with the public. Reason why a good knowledge of sociology is vital for nutritionists.

Dietitians in community settings help in policy making to shape nutritional advice and guidelines for communities. In doing this, you may also work with other agencies such as schools, voluntary organisations, and the military.

You will inform and teach the public and other health professionals about diet and nutrition.

Your aim as a Registered Dietitian (RD) is to promote good health and prevent diseases in individuals and communities.

You could as well be leading a team of Dietitians and Nutritionists providing advice on nutrition to government for policy making.

3. Work in hospital

Registered Dietitians (RD) work in the hospital and form part of the health care team (physicians and other health professionals) in ward rounds in clinics.

You may work with health care professionals such as nurses, as well as supervise the work of Dietetic Technicians in the Dietetics unit / department of the hospital.

You will educate out-patients such as pregnant and lactating women about exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding, child nutrition and other crucial areas for healthy child development.

As well as assess, diagnose, and treat diet-related diseases or conditions of in-patients in conjunction with other health professionals.

Really much. Right? I guess.

You will work with and educate people who need special diets as part of their treatment.

These include patients with hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, liver and kidney disorders, pregnant and lactating women, burnt patients, post surgery, eating disorders, or digestive problems.

4. Work in tertiary institutions

Within research and academia, your career path is likely going to be similar to that of other research scientists.

You could work in public and private higher institutions of learning as a lecturer, research assistant / executive or work at a senior level in the university.

Many Nutritionists and Dietitians are currently lecturers in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

5. Work in companies and industries

Along industry lines, Nutritionists are very useful in organizations such a NAFDAC, pharmaceutical companies, manufacturing companies (food and beverages).

They regulate food and drug contents, check for allergies and intolerance on the human system, drug-nutrient interaction, as well as several other functions.

Registered Nutritionists are at the heart of these organizations.

6. Start your own business

One of the things that make Nutrition and Dietetics such a unique field is the opportunities it presents in doing your own thing – Business. As a Nutritionist, you can  operate a natural food products and nutrition supplies outlet. You can also start your own Nutrition clinic for management of various chronic diseases.

With your experience and expertise, there are also many business opportunities in food industries, cafeterias, malls, fast foods and supermarkets that you can leverage on.

All those areas are all within your field of study.

If that doesn’t interest you, you can also branch out and delve into other areas of business with your managerial skills that you’ve acquired during your training.

How to register a business name in Nigeria | easy steps

7. Move Abroad

One of the quickest ways to japa is to study Nutrition and Dietetics or Nursing. With a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, opportunities abound for you to japa.

So if none of the career paths in Nigeria appeal to you, going abroad is an option you can explore.

Most advanced countries like Canada, UK, and the United States are in dire need of the services of Nutritionists and Dietitians. In fact, jobs in Nutrition sector is projected to grow thrice the current figure by 2030 in the UK alone.

Why? Take a look at their population and the conditions they often come down with. You will see your relevance there.

WRAP UP

What can I do with a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics?

Graduates of Nutrition and Dietetics in Nigeria have the following career opportunities:

1. Private practice.
2. Community health.
3. Hospital practice.
4. Research and Academia.
5. Industry/Company.
6. Start your own business.
7. Move abroad

The variety of what to do and where to work makes Nutrition and Dietetics a 21st century profession.

Does Nutrition and Dietetics have professional association?

The Association of Nigerian Dietitians – AND (formerly called Nigerian Dietetics Association – NDA/Dietitians Association of Nigeria – DAN) and Nutrition Society of Nigeria – NSN are both responsible for the regulation of Nutrition and Dietetics practice in Nigeria.

And there’s also the Institute of Dietitians in Nigeria (IDN).

Is there induction for Nutrition and Dietetics graduates?

On completing your undergraduate degree, you will be inducted into the profession by the relevant professional bodies.

One, if you register with the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) after finishing school, you will be inducted as a full member of the Nutrition Society.

Two, after your Dietetics internship, you are expected to write the Test of Professional Competence (TOPCE). If you are successful in the exam, you will be registered as a Dietitian and inducted.

Three, you can decide to join and be affiliated with any of the associations mentioned earlier.

Where do they do induction for Nutritionists and Dietitians?

Nutrition and Dietetics induction is usually done at annual conferences, unless there’s no conference for a particular year. Though this is rarely the case.

And in other cases, if there are many newly graduated/completed interns waiting for TOPCE and registration.

Also check out these 6 things you should do before finishing school.

How much is the salary of Nutritionists and Dietitians in Nigeria?

Your salary as a Nutritionist or Dietitian in Nigeria depends on where you’re working. Though food manufacturing industries and pharmaceutical companies reportedly pay Nutritionists very well.

Many Dietitians report job satisfaction working in the hospital. And the exact pay also depend on many things. For example, whether you just got a job straight out of school or have worked for years.

Dietitians working in hospital receive more than One Hundred and Fifty Thousand (₦150,000) monthly. Depending on your level, its even twice as much, plus other job benefits.

For private practice, one can’t specify how much Nutritionists and Dietitians earn. But one thing to know is that we often have financially stable clients able to pay for your service.

Depending on your interests and personality, you will find where you fit as a Nutritionist and Dietitian.

Entry requirements to study Nutrition and Dietetics in Nigeria

Applicants who have the basic admission requirements at O’level are eligible for admission.

While Nutrition and Dietetics is a five years course in some universities, it’s a four (4) years course in most universities.

Those with Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics or Registered Nurse certificate are eligible for admission into Nutrition and Dietetics through Direct entry.

O’level requirement:

You should have five (5) credits at O’level in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry at not more than two (2) sittings.

List of universities offering Nutrition and Dietetics in Nigeria

UTME subjects:

JAMB subject combination for Nutrition and Dietetics are:

• Biology.
• Physics and
• Chemistry.

Those entry requirements are in addition to a minimum UTME cut off mark determined by JAMB each year.

If for any reason you are not satisfied or don’t meet the entry requirements specified above, you might consider a Polytechnic or College of Health Technology.

You can also study online with a foreign university right from your room. Or you apply for a scholarship to study abroad. Education is is now at your doorsteps.

Diet – surely the best medicine!

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