The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified reports circulating in traditional and digital media regarding the recent approval granted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to amend the Act governing the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College.
Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, explained that the approval granted by the council under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu allows the college to seek accreditation from the National Universities Commission to award Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in relevant medical and research disciplines.
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The minister said some media reports had wrongly suggested that a PhD would replace or be considered equivalent to medical fellowship, stressing that such interpretations were inaccurate.
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Alausa clarified that 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.
According to him, the reform is intended to expand the academic mandate of the college. In addition to awarding fellowships, the institution will now be able to offer PhD programmes once it obtains the required accreditation from the National Universities Commission.
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The ministry noted that the move is aimed at strengthening medical research, academic medicine and specialist knowledge development while preserving the integrity and prestige of professional medical fellowships.
It added that the reform would enhance Nigeria’s capacity in advanced medical research and training without altering the established pathway for clinical specialist certification.