The National Universities Commission has introduced a new set of directives aimed at regulating the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees across Nigerian universities, in a move to curb what it described as the indiscriminate award of academic titles.
The Commission said the guidelines are designed to preserve the integrity and global reputation of Nigeria’s university system, ensuring that honorary degrees remain a mark of distinction rather than a commercialised commodity.
Under the new policy, only universities that have successfully graduated their first set of PhD students are eligible to confer honorary degrees. This, the NUC noted, is to ensure that only academically mature institutions grant such prestigious recognitions.
A major highlight of the directive is the restriction on the use of the title “Dr.” by honorary degree recipients. According to the Commission, beneficiaries are not permitted to prefix their names with “Dr.” but must instead use appropriate post-nominal designations such as Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa), D.Sc (H.c). The title “Dr.”, it stressed, remains exclusively reserved for individuals who have earned academic doctorates or are qualified medical professionals.
The NUC also prohibited any form of financial exchange in the conferment process, warning universities against charging fees or expecting donations from prospective recipients. It emphasised that honorary degrees must be awarded strictly on merit and free of charge.
To further tighten the process, universities are now limited to awarding a maximum of three honorary degrees per convocation ceremony. The guidelines also exclude self-nominated individuals and serving elected or appointed public officials from being considered for such honours.
In addition, institutions are required to maintain transparency by publishing the names of all honorary degree recipients on their official websites. Universities must also establish a clear revocation policy to withdraw honours from recipients found guilty of fraud or unethical conduct.
The Commission clarified that honorary degrees do not confer professional or academic privileges, noting that recipients cannot use the award to practise a profession, supervise research, or hold administrative positions within universities.
Reiterating its commitment to enforcement, the NUC warned that any institution found violating the directives—including exceeding the approved quota or awarding degrees to unqualified individuals—would face regulatory sanctions.
The move underscores the Commission’s resolve to safeguard the credibility and sanctity of higher education in Nigeria.
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