- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal Government has clarified the speculations surrounding the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) approval of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) award to medical and research disciplines.
FEC had reportedly approved the amendment of Act governing the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College with the inclusion of PhD programmes for relevant medical and research disciplines upon accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
This however appeared to have created speculations and controversies as some reports claimed that PhD, as approved by FEC, will replace the medical fellowship or serve as equivalent to the award.
Reacting to the claim in a statement issued on Thursday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the Ministry of Education refuted the claims.
According to the statement, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, clarified that the medical fellowship remains a distinct professional qualification in clinical practice.
Alausa noted that the PhD award only serve as an expansion of the medical college academic mandate and will be awarded alongside the medical fellowship.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, explained that the approval granted by Council under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu enables the College to seek accreditation from the National Universities Commission to award Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in relevant medical and research disciplines.
“The Minister noted that some reports wrongly suggested that a PhD would replace or be considered equivalent to medical fellowship.
“He emphasised that this interpretation is incorrect. Dr. 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.
“The reform simply expands the College’s academic mandate. Alongside awarding fellowships, the institution may now offer PhD programmes upon accreditation by the National Universities Commission.” The statement partly read.
The Ministry added that this approach will strengthen medical research, academic medicine, and specialist knowledge development while preserving the integrity and prestige of professional medical fellowships.