The Federal Ministry of Education (Nigeria) has clarified that the recent approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) regarding the amendment of the Act establishing the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College does not make a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree equivalent to a medical fellowship.
In a statement issued on March 5, 2026, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, said 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.
According to the minister, some media reports had misinterpreted the decision, suggesting that PhD degrees would replace or be considered equal to medical fellowships.
He explained that medical fellowships remain a distinct professional qualification awarded to physicians who complete rigorous residency training and postgraduate medical education required for specialist clinical practice.
Alausa noted that the reform only expands the academic mandate of the College, enabling it to introduce PhD programmes once accreditation is secured from the National Universities Commission.
The ministry stated that the development would strengthen medical research and academic medicine while preserving the integrity and professional value of medical fellowships.
The statement was signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education.
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