Student Involvement In Health-Related Conferences In Nigeria: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Medical Conferences
• Global Health Equity

Background:

• Scientific conferences are vital for healthcare students' career progression.
• Limited research exists on student engagement in conferences within low- and middle-income countries.
• This study addresses the gap by examining student provisions in Nigerian health conferences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of health-related conferences in Nigeria.
• To assess the extent of student-focused provisions within these conferences.
• To identify barriers and facilitators for student participation and career development.

Main Methods:

• Adherence to Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA ScR reporting guidelines.
• Inclusion of fully in-person and hybrid national/international health conferences in Nigeria (Oct 2023-Sep 2025).
• Systematic search of professional websites, conference pages, social media, and direct organizer inquiries; data extraction on student provisions.

Main Results:

• Eighty conferences met inclusion criteria; most were national (67.5%) and in-person (72.5%).
• Only 13.8% of conferences specifically invited students; 7.5% had student abstract categories.
• Subsidized registration was offered by 23.8%, but no support for travel, accommodation, or student-led sessions was found.

Conclusions:

• Student involvement in Nigerian health conferences is notably limited.
• Geographic clustering and lack of targeted provisions restrict equitable student access.
• Strategic inclusion of student-focused elements in conference planning is essential for fostering early career development.