FG: PhD Will Not Replace Medical Fellowship, Alausa Clarifies

The Federal Government has clarified that the approval granted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to amend the Act of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria does not place PhD degrees on the same level as medical fellowship qualifications.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, made the clarification in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo.

According to the minister, the clarification became necessary following reports suggesting that PhD degrees would be considered equivalent to fellowship qualifications required for specialist medical practice.

Alausa explained that the approval granted by the Federal Executive Council, chaired by Bola Tinubu, only allows the college to seek accreditation from the National Universities Commission to award PhD degrees in relevant medical and research disciplines.

He stressed that the decision does not mean a PhD would replace or be regarded as equal to a medical fellowship.

“The medical fellowship remains a distinct and higher professional qualification in clinical practice,” the minister said, explaining that fellowships are awarded to physicians who complete rigorous residency training and other postgraduate medical education requirements necessary for specialist practice.

Alausa added that the FEC decision simply expands the academic mandate of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

Once accredited by the National Universities Commission, the institution will be able to offer doctoral programmes for candidates interested in advanced academic research in addition to professional medical training.

He noted that physicians undergoing postgraduate medical training could also have the option of integrating a structured doctoral research pathway into their fellowship programmes where appropriate.

According to the minister, the approach is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for high-level medical research, academic medicine and specialist knowledge development, while preserving the integrity and prestige of professional medical fellowships.

Alausa said the reform introduces an additional academic pathway that complements the existing professional training structure.

He added that the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening postgraduate medical education, expanding opportunities for research and innovation, and aligning Nigeria’s specialist medical training with global best practices.