FG Clarifies Medical College Act Amendment on Fellowships

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through a statement issued by Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, clarified that the recent amendment to the National Postgraduate Medical College Act does not equate medical fellowships with PhD degrees.

This clarification followed reports suggesting that a PhD degree could replace the qualification of medical fellowship for clinical practice. The Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, approved the amendment, allowing the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to seek accreditation from the National Universities Commission to award PhD degrees in relevant medical research disciplines.

Alausa emphasized that medical fellowships remain distinct from PhD degrees, as fellowships require rigorous residency training and postgraduate medical education, focusing on specialist practice. The amendment aims to expand the academic mandate of the college, enabling it to offer PhD programs alongside professional medical training, thereby enhancing research capabilities in Nigeria.