Evaluation of Surgical Training Opportunities Available to Postgraduate Diploma Veterinary Students in North Central Nigeria

Postgraduate veterinary surgical training forms the professional bridge between undergraduate competency and advanced specialist practice, and the adequacy of training opportunities during PGD programs is critical to producing competent veterinary surgeons. This study evaluates the nature, adequacy, and quality of surgical training opportunities available to PGD veterinary students at institutions in North Central Nigeria, covering Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau States, and the Federal Capital Territory. A structured survey administered to 28 current and recently graduated PGD veterinary students, combined with institutional audits of surgical training logs and curriculum documents at four PGD-offering veterinary institutions, was conducted between January and September 2023. Students reported performing an average of 14 unsupervised surgical procedures during their PGD training period, substantially below the recommended minimum of 30 procedures. Supervised cadaveric and live animal surgery sessions were rated as adequate by only 36% of students. Access to advanced surgical equipment including powered orthopedic instruments and endoscopic systems was available to fewer than 20% of students. Structured competency assessment was absent in 75% of programs audited. These findings reveal critical training gaps in PGD veterinary surgical programs in North Central Nigeria. The study recommends standardization of surgical competency frameworks for PGD veterinary programs, mandatory minimum supervised surgical procedure logs, and institutional investment in surgical training infrastructure across the region. Keywords: postgraduate surgical training, PGD veterinary, surgical competency, North Central Nigeria, veterinary education.