Mary Habila Was Not a Registered Physiotherapist

Mary Habila Was Not a Registered Physiotherapist — NSP

The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy says Mary Habila was not a registered physiotherapist, urging public officials to verify professional credentials before making public statements on regulated professions.

The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) has clarified that Mary Habila, the 26-year-old health worker whose death has attracted national attention, was not a registered physiotherapist.

The society made the disclosure in a statement published on its official X page on Thursday following verification through the appropriate regulatory channels.

According to the NSP, a review of its official database showed that the name “Mary Habila” does not appear on the register of licensed physiotherapists in Nigeria.

“Following verification through the appropriate regulatory channels, the name ‘Mary Habila,’ as stated, does not appear on the database of registered physiotherapists,” the statement read.

The clarification comes amid widespread public interest in the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death at a residence linked to the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

The minister had earlier stated during a press conference that the deceased was not a physiotherapist but a nurse employed by the Federal University of Health Sciences in Ebonyi State.

The NSP said the development highlights the importance of verifying the professional status of individuals before making public statements, particularly in matters that attract significant public attention.

According to the society, public officials and institutions should exercise due diligence before identifying or associating individuals with regulated professions.

The organisation noted that regulated professions such as physiotherapy maintain official registers to ensure professional standards and public accountability.

The society did not comment on the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death, limiting its statement to clarifying her professional status.

The death of the young health worker has continued to generate public debate, with calls from various groups for a transparent investigation and an independent autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.