The National Universities Commission (NUC) has rolled out tougher regulations governing the conferment of honorary degrees, including a prohibition on recipients adopting the “Dr.” title.
According to the Commission, the new policy is designed to address the growing misuse and excessive awarding of honorary honours, a trend it says has diminished the credibility of legitimate academic achievements.
Under the revised rules, only universities that have successfully produced their first set of PhD graduates will be permitted to award honorary degrees, thereby disqualifying newer institutions from participating in the practice.
The NUC further explained that individuals who receive honorary degrees are not allowed to attach “Dr.” to their names. Instead, they are expected to use appropriate post-nominal designations such as Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa), abbreviated as D.Sc (H.C). It stressed that the “Dr.” title remains exclusive to those who have earned doctoral qualifications or are licensed medical professionals.
In addition, the Commission has banned any form of monetary or material inducement in the conferment of honorary awards, insisting that such recognitions must be merit-based and awarded at no cost.
To maintain balance and prevent abuse, universities are now restricted to awarding no more than three honorary degrees during each convocation ceremony. The guidelines also disqualify individuals who nominate themselves, as well as serving public office holders—whether elected or appointed—from being considered for such honours.
As part of efforts to ensure openness, institutions must publicly disclose the names of awardees on their official websites and implement clear procedures for withdrawing honours from recipients later found to have engaged in misconduct.
The Commission also clarified that honorary degrees do not grant any academic or professional rights, such as practising regulated professions, supervising research, or occupying administrative roles within universities.
It warned that institutions that violate these directives will be subject to sanctions.
The NUC emphasized that these reforms are part of a broader initiative to safeguard the integrity and international standing of Nigeria’s university system, noting that academic honours should be grounded in merit, dignity, and excellence.