The Federal Government has clarified that the proposed amendment to the Act establishing the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College will allow the institution to award Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees but will not replace medical fellowship qualifications required for specialist practice.
The clarification was made by the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, following reports suggesting that a PhD could become equivalent to a medical fellowship.
In a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, the minister explained that the decision of the Federal Executive Council, chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, only enables the college to seek accreditation from the National Universities Commission to offer PhD programmes in relevant medical and research disciplines.
Alausa disclosed reports suggesting that the reform would make a PhD equivalent to a medical fellowship were inaccurate.
“The approval granted by the Federal Executive Council enables the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College to seek accreditation from the National Universities Commission to award Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in relevant medical and research disciplines,” he said.
He stressed that the move does not alter the status of professional medical training.
“Medical fellowship remains a distinct professional qualification in clinical practice, awarded to physicians who complete rigorous residency training and postgraduate medical education required for specialist practice,” the minister stated.
Alausa further explained that the reform is aimed at strengthening academic medicine and research without diminishing the value of fellowships.
“The reform simply expands the College’s academic mandate. Alongside awarding fellowships, the institution may now offer PhD programmes upon accreditation by the National Universities Commission,” he added.
According to the ministry, the initiative will support the growth of medical research and specialist knowledge development in the country.
“This approach will strengthen medical research, academic medicine, and specialist knowledge development while preserving the integrity and prestige of professional medical fellowships,” the statement said.