Posted on: Wed 11-11-2026

The National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN), established by CAP No. 59 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, was founded to provide postgraduate medical education tailored to the needs of our nation. Since inception, the College has trained over 9,000 medical and dental specialists. In furtherance of its mandate to advance medical knowledge and research capacity, the College has introduced the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree programme. This programme complements the Fellowship training by strengthening the research component of postgraduate education.

The College remains committed to excellence in specialist training, research, and service to the health needs of Nigeria.

The 20th Annual Scientific Conference and All Fellows Congress (ASCAF) tagged Coal City 2026, organized by the Postgraduate Medical College Fellows Association (PCMFA) in conjunction with the NPMCN, took place at the International Conference Centre, Independence Layout and Amadeo Events Centre, GRA Enugu from Sunday 2nd to Friday 7th August, 2026.

CONFERENCE THEME & SUB-THEMES

The conference theme was Challenges of Medical Training & Practice in Nigeria and the sub-themes were:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Medical Education and Quality Healthcare;

2. Improving medical practice through Public Private Partnership;

3. Harmonizing training and assessment in Medical Education;

4. Mental Health and well-being: Addressing burnout among healthcare workers.

PROCEEDINGS & HIGHLIGHTS

The Conference started with courtesy visits to the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia and other top government officials by the College leadership led by the College President, Dr. Anthony N. Ikenna, MD, FMCPaed, NPMC. The SSG received the College delegation on behalf of His Excellency, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.

The Opening Ceremony on 4th August 2026 was chaired by Emeritus Prof. Samuel C. Obegbulam (Foundation President, Nigerian Academy of Medicine). His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia. Other dignitaries in attendance were Minister of State, Health and Social Welfare represented by Prof. E. C. Iyidobi, MD National Orthopaedic Hospital Ugwu; the GOC 82 Division Nigerian Army represented by Brigadier General Dr. C. U. Okwuosa; Commissioner for Health Enugu State, Prof. George Ugwu; Chief Medical Director (CMD) University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, Prof. Obinna Onodugo; CMD Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Parklane Enugu, Prof. Bertrand Ngwu; Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Allied Health Sciences Enugu, Prof. John Emaimo; CMD State University of Medical & Applied Sciences, Ugbene Enugu, Prof. Umezurike Okafor; former Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Benjamin C. Ozumba; MD Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu, Dr. Ngoziukwu Nwogu; CMD Madonna University Teaching Hospital Elele, Rivers State, Prof. Berneth Ajuonuma; CMD Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka Anambra State, Dr. Maureen Ulozuekwu; President, West Africa College of Surgeons (WACS), Prof. Ibrahim Yakassai, and many other dignitaries.

The Opening Ceremony featured the Professor Theophilus Oladipo Ogunlesi Annual Lecture, delivered by Dr. Mosumola Florence Tunde-Ayorinde, (MD, FMCPSych, FMCEM), titled “Mental Healthcare Inequities in Nigeria: The Burden, Consequences and Why Vulnerable Populations Must be a National Priority”. The lecture explored the different strategies for the development of inclusive mental healthcare service delivery in Nigeria.

The Conference was preceded by pre-conference workshops, by Nigerian Postgraduate Medical Journal and Surgical Education Symposium by Faculty of Surgery NPMCN respectively. There were two keynote lectures: Current Challenges of Medical Training and Practice in Nigeria by Dr. C. O. Anumba; and Artificial Intelligence in Medical Education and Quality Healthcare Delivery by Dr. Emmanuel Emedo. There were plenary sessions on the theme and sub-themes of the Conference, including a special presidential symposium on Effective Mentorship in residency training programme in Nigeria. Two hundred and twenty-eight peer-reviewed papers and posters were presented at the Conference and published in the Conference Proceedings.

OBSERVATIONS

The Congress observed:

1. The persistent inequalities in access to quality mental healthcare in Nigeria. This is driven by inadequate resources, geographic disparities, workforce shortages, stigma, and gaps in policy implementation.

2. The gaps in the alignment and implementation of competence-based medical education.

3. That while artificial intelligence offers significant opportunities to improve medical education, research, and clinical practice, its adoption in Nigeria remains constrained by inadequate infrastructure, limited capacity, insufficient governance frameworks, and poor integration into medical training programmes.

4. That effective mentorship is an institutional responsibility and a critical component of postgraduate medical education, essential for developing competent, ethical, resilient, and professional medical specialists.

5. That well-governed Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) have significant potential to strengthen healthcare delivery and training by improving access, efficiency, infrastructure, and innovation.

6. That Burnout among healthcare professionals is increasing in Nigeria due to excessive workloads, workforce shortages, poor working conditions, inadequate remuneration, limited psychological support, and persistent occupational stress and workforce migration.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Following fruitful deliberations at the plenary sessions, scientific presentations and the All Fellows Congress, the following recommendations were made:

1. The Government and relevant stakeholders should strengthen equitable access to quality mental healthcare by ensuring the effective implementation of mental health policies and services.

2. The Government, regulatory bodies, training institutions, and relevant stakeholders should strengthen the implementation of competence-based medical education through periodic curriculum review, standardized competency-based assessment, faculty development, investment in training infrastructure and digital learning.

3. The Government, regulatory bodies, training institutions, trainers, and other stakeholders should commit to strengthening quality assurance and standardization in medical training and evaluation through robust accreditation, continuous faculty development, competency-based assessment.

4. The Government, the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, regulatory bodies, training institutions, and other stakeholders should provide relevant governance frameworks and integrate artificial intelligence into medical curricula as a tool to augment human expertise, and promote responsible innovation.

5. The training institutions should institutionalize structured mentorship programmes, supported by clear policies, dedicated resources, faculty development, and regular monitoring and evaluation, to enhance trainee development, professional excellence, and leadership in healthcare.

6. The training institutions and relevant stakeholders should promote psychologically safe learning environments, and implement measures to prevent burnout.

7. The Government should develop and strengthen transparent legal and regulatory frameworks for Public–Private Partnerships, reinforce public sector stewardship and oversight, ensure equitable risk-sharing and accountability, and prioritize universal, affordable, and quality healthcare.

8. The NPMCN should engage in Public–Private Partnerships in relevant areas to enhance its postgraduate training programs.

APPRECIATION

The College is deeply grateful to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR; the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah; the Chairman of the occasion, Emeritus Prof. Samuel C. Obegbulam; the GOC 82 Division Nigerian Army Vice-Chancellors, Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors present.

 

The College equally appreciates the College President and Past Presidents of the National Postgraduate Medical College, our distinguished Fellows, the Chairman and Members of Local Organizing Committee, Security Agencies, eminent Industry partners, headline benefactors and supporters, gentlemen and ladies of the press, distinguished guests and participants.

Signed

Dr Ugochukwu Enweani, FMCOrtho

Chairman, LOC ASCAF 2026

 

Dr Temitope A. Esan, MD FMCDS

College Registrar NPMCN

 

Dr Anthony N Ikefuna, M, FMCPaed, PNMC

College President NPMCN

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