Evaluation of Optometry Students’ Clinical Competency at a Nigerian Optometry Training Institution in the South South Zone

Clinical competency assessment is fundamental to ensuring that optometry graduates are adequately prepared for independent practice. This study evaluates the clinical competency of final-year optometry students at the University of Benin, Edo State, South South Nigeria. An objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) design will be used, assessing 60 final-year students across 12 clinical stations covering key optometric competencies including refraction, binocular vision assessment, anterior segment examination, tonometry, and patient communication. Each student's performance will be scored by two assessors using validated OSCE marking sheets developed in accordance with guidelines from the World Council of Optometry. Data analysis will involve descriptive statistics, inter-rater reliability analysis using Cohen's kappa, and ANOVA to compare performance across stations. The study anticipates identifying specific clinical areas with consistently lower competency scores, particularly in binocular vision assessment and anterior segment biomicroscopy. Findings will be submitted to the University of Benin Optometry Department and the National Universities Commission to support evidence-based curriculum review and resource allocation for clinical skills training. This research contributes to the quality assurance literature for Nigerian optometry education in the South South zone and provides a replicable OSCE framework for national adoption. Keywords: clinical competency, OSCE, optometry students, University of Benin, professional training