The Federal Government has approved sweeping reforms to regulate the award and use of honorary degrees in Nigerian universities, in a move aimed at restoring academic integrity and strengthening the credibility of the nation’s higher education system.
Briefing journalists after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the new policy as a decisive intervention to curb the abuse, politicisation, and commercialisation of honorary academic titles.
Under the new framework, all honorary degrees must be clearly designated as honoris causa and cannot be presented or used as earned academic qualifications.
The government also directed that recipients of honorary awards must not use the title “Dr” in any official, academic, or professional capacity solely on the basis of such honours. According to the minister, any violation of the directive will be regarded as academic fraud.
The reforms further stipulate that honorary degrees will no longer qualify recipients for academic appointments, professional certifications, or regulated professional practice in Nigeria.
As part of the policy changes, only four recognised categories of honorary degrees will now be permitted, while universities seeking to confer such awards must have established doctoral programmes.
The National Universities Commission has been mandated to oversee implementation of the policy, monitor compliance among universities, and publish an annual verified register of legitimate honorary degree recipients across the country.
The Federal Government said the measures are intended to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s university system and ensure that honorary recognitions are reserved strictly for exceptional contributions to society rather than personal prestige or political influence.
