… Says Title Reserved For Academic Doctorate Holders Only
… Moves To Curb Abuse Of Honorary Awards In Universities
The Federal Government on Wednesday announced a major policy shift prohibiting recipients of honorary degrees from using the title “Dr,” in a move aimed at restoring discipline and credibility to Nigeria’s academic system.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed the directive while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, following decisions reached at the Federal Executive Council meeting held on April 30.
Alausa said the government’s action was necessitated by what it described as the growing abuse, politicisation and commercialisation of honorary academic awards across tertiary institutions in the country.
According to him, the indiscriminate conferment of honorary doctorates on individuals—often driven by political patronage and financial inducement—has eroded the integrity and value of such recognitions.
“The recent trend in the award of honorary degrees has exposed serious abuse and politicisation of this academic privilege,” the minister said. “We have seen instances where these awards are used for political patronage and financial gain, which undermines their true value.”
He stressed that under the new directive, only individuals who have obtained doctoral degrees through rigorous academic study and research will be allowed to use the title “Dr,” adding that honorary degree recipients are expressly barred from doing so.
The minister also announced stricter regulatory oversight for universities, stating that no institution will henceforth be allowed to confer honorary degrees without prior approval from the National Universities Commission.
He warned that any university that violates the directive would face sanctions, while vice-chancellors have been instructed to immediately review and tighten internal procedures governing the award of honorary degrees.
Alausa said the reforms are part of broader efforts to align Nigeria’s higher education system with global best practices and restore public confidence in academic honours, which he said should reflect genuine service, achievement, and contribution to society rather than financial or political influence.
The Federal Government expressed optimism that the new policy would curb widespread abuse, safeguard the sanctity of academic titles, and reposition the nation’s universities for greater credibility and respectability.
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