The Nigerian government has approved new regulations governing the awarding and use of honorary doctorates, a move aimed at addressing longstanding concerns over the alleged abuse and commercialisation of the honours within Nigeria’s university system.
The guidelines, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), introduce stricter eligibility requirements for universities, restrict the number of awards that can be conferred, and prohibit recipients from adopting the title “Dr” on the strength of honorary degrees.
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Announcing the policy in a statement signed by the Ministry of Education spokesperson, Folashade Boriowo, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the framework was designed to strengthen academic integrity, transparency and the credibility of Nigerian universities.
Mr Alausa said the policy addresses concerns about the abuse, commercialisation, and misuse of honorary awards.
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Long-running debate
This latest policy follows months of debate over the growing use of honorary doctorate degrees by recipients who subsequently adopt the title “Dr” in public life.
In January, a member of the House of Representatives, Solomon Bob, challenged the practice, arguing that honorary doctorate holders should not be addressed as doctors because honorary awards are distinct from earned doctoral qualifications.
He said there should be “a clear distinction between honorary degrees and a doctor of philosophy.”
The issue gained further attention in February when the National Universities Commission (NUC) issued guidelines on the award and use of honorary doctorates, citing an increasing incidence of indiscriminate conferment and misuse of such honours within the Nigerian university system.
The commission barred serving public office holders from receiving honorary doctorates while in office and said the measures were developed after consultations with universities.
According to the NUC, the guidelines were necessary to preserve academic integrity and protect the credibility of the university system.
The commission also stressed that honorary doctorates are honorary distinctions and should not be regarded as equivalent to earned academic qualifications obtained through doctoral study and research.
Universities to face tight restrictions
Under the new guidelines, only universities that have graduated their first set of PhD students will be eligible to award honorary doctorate degrees.
The policy also limits institutions to a maximum of three honorary doctorate awards per convocation ceremony.
According to the ministry, the framework establishes clear procedures covering eligibility, nomination, approval, conferment, usage and revocation of honorary doctorate degrees.
READ ALSO: NUC issues guidelines on honorary doctorates, serving public officials ineligible
It said the measures were intended to ensure that honorary awards are granted under transparent and standardised conditions.
A key provision of the guidelines prohibits recipients of honorary doctorate degrees from using the title “Dr.”
The ministry also directed that all honorary degrees must carry the designation Honoris Causa to distinguish them from earned academic doctorates.
Monitoring and sanctions
The guidelines further establish oversight mechanisms to monitor compliance by universities.
Mr Alausa said a Special Fraud Unit would be created under the NUC to enforce the policy.
Universities will also be required to publish the names of honorary degree recipients, provide orientation for awardees and establish procedures for revoking honours where necessary.
Warning institutions against violating the regulations, the ministry directed strict compliance across the sector.
“The federal government directed strict compliance, warning that violations may attract sanctions including suspension of accreditation activities and dissolution of governing councils,” the statement said.
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