The National Universities Commission (NUC) has introduced fresh guidelines regulating the award of honorary degrees in Nigerian universities, prohibiting recipients from using the “Dr.” title.
The commission said the move is aimed at ending the abuse of honorary awards and preserving the credibility of academic distinctions within the country’s higher education system.
Under the new rules, only universities that have produced their first set of PhD graduates will be eligible to confer honorary degrees.
The NUC also directed that recipients must not prefix their names with “Dr.” but instead use appropriate post-nominal titles such as Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) – D.Sc (H.C).
It emphasised that the “Dr.” designation is strictly reserved for individuals who have earned academic doctorates or are certified medical professionals.
The guidelines further prohibit any form of payment or financial expectation from recipients, insisting that honorary degrees must be awarded strictly on merit and remain entirely free.
To curb excesses, universities are now restricted to awarding a maximum of three honorary degrees per convocation ceremony.
The commission also barred self-nominated individuals as well as serving public office holders from receiving such honours.
As part of transparency measures, institutions are required to publish the names of all honorary degree recipients on their official websites and establish clear policies for revoking awards from individuals found guilty of misconduct or fraud.
The NUC also clarified that honorary degrees do not grant professional privileges, including the right to practise in regulated professions, supervise academic research, or hold administrative roles within universities.
The commission warned that compliance with the new guidelines is mandatory, stressing that institutions found in breach risk facing regulatory sanctions.
According to the NUC, the reforms are part of broader efforts to protect the integrity and global reputation of Nigeria’s university system.
