Career, Employment, and Job Opportunities in Nutrition and Dietetics in Nigeria

This article would give an insight into the career, employment, and job opportunities in nutrition/ dietetics in Nigeria.

Before I proceed into the careers, employment, and job opportunities in nutrition and dietetics, you should know what this field is all about. 

What is Nutrition/ Dietetics all about?

Nutrition is the science by which living things receive the food necessary for them to grow and be healthy. It involves food intake, assimilation, absorption, biosynthesis, catabolism, and excretion. This field provides information on food and healthy eating habits.

A nutritionist is, therefore, a person that studies nutrition and its relationship with living things.

A dietician help patients make healthy choices of food to achieve a specific health-related goal. This enables the patient to maintain healthy eating habits.

The study of nutrition has been vital in Nigeria and beyond. This is because there is a strong relationship between nutrition and health or life. In essence, we all need nutrition to survive.

Importance of Nutritionist/Dietician in Nigeria

·        They offer changes and necessary adjustments that are important to be made in everyday lives.

·        They ensure that patients and individuals eat a well-balanced diet to avoid malnutrition

·        A nutritionist helps to enlighten the understanding of how diet affects the health and wellbeing of people and animals.

·        A dietician works with patients to monitor their health needs and dietary limitations

·        Nutritionists are in no doubt important part of post-bariatric surgery lifestyle and also essential consultants before the surgery is performed

Skills Required to be Successful In Nutrition/Dietician

·        Good communication skills

·        A nutritionist/dietician must have the ability to encourage and motivate others

·        Time management skills

·        Efficient team working skills

·        Enthusiasm, passion, sensitivity and empathy

·        Good verbal presentation and writing skill

·        Good organizational skill

·        Good listening skill

·        An aptitude for science

·        Strong problem-solving skills

Career Opportunities for Graduates in Nutrition/Dietician in Nigeria

    The following are career opportunities for graduates in Nutrition/ Dietetics in Nigeria

·        Public health nutritionist-life coach

·        Nutritionist

·        Food safety auditor

·        Clinical nutritionist

·        Nutritionist services manager

·        Nutritional therapist

·        Food services nutritionist

·        Sport nutritionist

·        Nutrition writer

Employment Opportunities for Graduates in Nutrition/Dietician in Nigeria

·        Hospitals

·        Colleges

·        Universities

·        National and local government (health and food departments)

·        International food organizations. Examples include Oxfam, center for food safety Peace Corps

·        Exercise and sports industry

JAMB UTME Subject Combination to Nutrition/Dietician in Nigeria

To apply for nutrition and dietician in Nigeria includes

·        English language (which is compulsory)

·        Mathematics/physics

·        Biology/agriculture

·        Chemistry

O’Level Subject Requirement to Study Nutrition/Dietician in Nigeria

To apply for nutrition and dietetics as a UTME candidate, you require five SSCE credit passes in

·        Mathematics

·        English language

·        Chemistry

·        Biology/agricultural science

·        Physics