The Nigerian government has approved a significant policy change, allowing medical professionals to substitute a medical fellowship for a PhD in their academic progression and promotion.
This decision was revealed by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, on Wednesday, subsequent to a Federal Executive Council (FEC) session chaired by President Bola Tinubu.
Minister Alausa indicated that the Federal Executive Council reviewed and gave its assent to amendments concerning the National Postgraduate Medical College Act. These proposed alterations are slated to be forwarded to the National Assembly for formal legislative amendment.
The Dispute Over PhDs and Medical Fellowships
For a considerable period, medical practitioners have advocated for the recognition of medical fellowships as being on par with PhDs within academic settings.
Their argument highlights that the substantial depth and research components inherent in fellowships awarded by the National Medical College of Nigeria (NMCN), the West African Postgraduate Medical College (WAPMC), and other reputable international postgraduate medical institutions are equivalent to doctoral studies.
The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) had previously reached an agreement in 2020. This accord stipulated that possessing a PhD would not be a mandatory prerequisite for the career advancement of clinical consultants, including promotions to professorial ranks within Nigerian universities.
Despite this agreement, MDCAN continues to report instances of discrimination against medical professionals holding fellowships but lacking a PhD, particularly when it comes to appointments like university vice- chancellorships, which commonly require a PhD qualification.
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