A Longitudinal Investigation of the Effect of Radiography Curriculum Reform on Graduate Competency Outcomes Across Nigerian Universities

Radiography curriculum reforms have been implemented across several Nigerian universities following NUC minimum academic standards revisions, yet no longitudinal evaluation has assessed whether these reforms have produced measurable improvements in graduate competency outcomes, creating an important evidence gap for continuing curriculum policy decisions. This study conducts an original longitudinal investigation of the effect of radiography curriculum reform on graduate competency outcomes across Nigerian universities. A prospective longitudinal design follows two cohorts across six radiography programmes: a pre-reform cohort (n=180) who entered before the 2018 NUC curriculum revision and a post-reform cohort (n=180) who entered after reform implementation. Both cohorts are assessed at graduation, twelve months, and thirty-six months post-graduation using the Radiography Graduate Practice Competency Inventory, employer competency ratings, and CPD engagement rates. Difference-in-differences analysis in STATA estimates the causal effect of curriculum reform on each competency outcome, controlling for selection differences between cohorts. The study also conducts process evaluation through interviews with 40 curriculum leaders and 30 clinical placement supervisors to identify implementation fidelity variations that moderate reform effects. Available radiography curriculum outcomes literature from Nigeria identifies the absence of longitudinal outcome evaluation following curriculum reform as the primary evidence gap limiting curriculum policy decisions. The Kirkpatrick Evaluation Model extended to curriculum evaluation and the Theory of Change evaluation methodology provide the analytical framework. Findings will generate the first longitudinal causal evidence on NUC radiography curriculum reform effects in Nigeria. Keywords: curriculum reform, longitudinal study, radiography graduates, competency outcomes, Nigerian universities.