FG: PhD Will Not Replace Medical Fellowship, Says Education Ministry
The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that the recent decision by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to amend the Act governing the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College does not mean that a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree will replace medical fellowship qualifications.
In a statement issued on March 5, 2026, the Minister of Education, Maruf 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.
The minister noted that some media reports had misinterpreted the decision, suggesting that a PhD would be considered equivalent to, or replace, the medical fellowship qualification.
According to him, medical fellowship remains a specialised professional credential for physicians who undergo intensive residency training and postgraduate medical education required for specialist clinical practice.
Alausa explained that the amendment only expands the academic scope of the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College, enabling it to run PhD programmes alongside its existing fellowship programmes once it secures accreditation from the NUC.
The ministry added that the reform is aimed at strengthening medical research, advancing academic medicine, and promoting the development of specialist knowledge while maintaining the integrity and prestige of medical fellowship qualifications.
The clarification was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the ministry, Boriowo Folasade.
