The Federal Government has approved new guidelines regulating the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigerian universities, in a move aimed at restoring the credibility and integrity of the country's higher education system.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the policy was introduced to address growing concerns over the abuse, commercialization, and misuse of honorary academic awards.
Under the new framework, only universities that have graduated their first set of PhD students will be eligible to confer honorary doctorate degrees. Institutions are also restricted to awarding a maximum of three honorary degrees per convocation.
The guidelines prohibit recipients of honorary doctorates from using the title "Dr.," stating that the designation is reserved for individuals who have earned doctoral or medical degrees through academic study and professional training.
The Federal Government also directed that all honorary awards must carry the designation Honoris Causa and be granted without any form of payment or financial expectation from recipients.
To strengthen transparency, universities are required to publish the names of award recipients on their official websites and establish procedures for revoking honours from individuals found guilty of fraud or other conduct that conflicts with institutional values.
The policy further excludes serving elected and appointed public officials from receiving honorary doctorate degrees and mandates that all nominations receive clearance from the National Universities Commission (NUC) before conferment.
The government warned that universities that violate the guidelines could face sanctions, including suspension of accreditation activities, resource verification restrictions, and possible dissolution of governing councils.
The Federal Ministry of Education said the reforms are designed to preserve honorary doctorate degrees as symbols of excellence, integrity, distinguished service, and meaningful contributions to society.
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Education