The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified the approval granted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to amend the Act governing the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College.
According to the Ministry, the decision taken by the Council under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership does not mean that a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree will replace or be considered equivalent to a medical fellowship, as suggested in some media reports.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, explained that the approval simply allows the College to seek accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to award PhD degrees in relevant medical and research disciplines.
In a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Alausa emphasised that medical fellowship remains a separate and higher professional qualification in clinical practice.
The statement said in part, “Medical fellowship remains a distinct and higher professional qualification awarded to physicians who have completed rigorous residency training and other postgraduate medical education requirements necessary for specialist practice.
Alausa noted that the FEC decision expands the academic mandate of the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College rather than altering the status of fellowship training.
He explained that, in addition to its long-standing responsibility of awarding professional fellowships to qualified physicians, the College will now be able—once accredited by the National Universities Commission—to offer PhD programmes for candidates interested in advanced academic research.
Under the proposed framework, physicians undergoing postgraduate medical training may have the option of integrating a structured doctoral research pathway with their fellowship programmes where appropriate.
The Minister said the initiative is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity in medical research, academic medicine, and specialist knowledge development while preserving the integrity and prestige of professional medical fellowships.
The Ministry said the clarification became necessary following widespread misconceptions suggesting that the PhD qualification would be placed on the same level as fellowship certification.
It said that the reform introduces an additional academic pathway designed to complement the existing professional training structure.
The Ministry further stated that the policy reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening postgraduate medical education, expanding opportunities for advanced research and innovation, and aligning Nigeria’s specialist medical training framework with global best practices.
It reassured the public, the medical community, and academic institutions that the approval does not diminish the value or status of medical fellowship in Nigeria, but is instead aimed at deepening academic scholarship within the country’s medical training system and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in global medical research and education.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to maintaining the integrity, quality, and global relevance of Nigeria’s higher education and professional training systems, while ensuring that policy decisions are clearly communicated and properly understood by the public.
