Big blow to “Dr” title users as NUC releases new guidelines

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has released new regulations governing the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria, warning universities and recipients against misuse of the academic honour.

In a public notice issued on Thursday, the commission said the guidelines became necessary following the growing rate of indiscriminate conferment and abuse of honorary doctorate titles within the Nigerian University System.

The commission explained that the directive was issued under its powers as provided in the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, CAP E3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

According to the NUC, the new framework aims to protect academic integrity and preserve the credibility and global reputation of Nigerian universities.

“The Commission has observed, with grave concern, the increasing incidence of indiscriminate conferment and misuse of Honorary Doctorate Degrees within the Nigerian University System,” the notice stated.

It therefore directed all universities and other degree-awarding institutions to strictly comply with the new rules, warning that sanctions would be imposed on institutions and individuals who violate them.

The commission clarified that honorary doctorates are not earned academic qualifications but honorary distinctions awarded to individuals in recognition of exceptional public service, scholarly impact, creative achievements, or outstanding contributions to society.

It also emphasised that recipients must not use the title “Dr.”, which is reserved for holders of academic doctoral degrees or medical professionals.

Holders of honorary awards are equally prohibited from using such degrees to practise as scholars, supervise research, or head academic units.

Under the new regulations, only accredited universities that have produced at least one set of PhD graduates are permitted to confer honorary doctorates. The number of awardees at each convocation must also not exceed three persons.

The commission further ruled that serving public officials cannot be nominated, self-nomination is not allowed, and recipients must not pay any fee for the honour.

Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, said the guidelines were developed in line with established academic traditions and the 2012 Keffi Declaration of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.

He added that universities must publish the names of award recipients and may revoke honours if a recipient is later convicted of fraud or found guilty of unethical conduct.

The commission noted that a recent investigation covering 61 institutions and professional bodies uncovered 32 organisations operating as honorary degree mills, including unaccredited foreign institutions and unlicensed local bodies, some of which were also issuing fake professorship titles.