Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed concern over what it described as the growing abuse and politicization of honorary doctorate degrees, including the practice of awarding them to serving public officials by universities in the country.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa who raised the concern, announced the approval of a uniform policy aimed at checkmating the Conferment of such Honorary Doctorate Degrees while addressing State House correspondents at the last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Alausa, who was accompanied by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed, clarified that only universities offering PhDs can confer Honorary Doctorate Degrees on individuals
He noted that attempts to regulate the practice had existed since 2012, when university administrators raised concerns, but enforcement had remained weak due to lack of legal backing.
According to him, the new framework introduces strict eligibility requirements for universities seeking to award honorary degrees.
“Any university that is not offering PhDs cannot award honorary doctorate degrees. Doing so will amount to a violation of the law, and there will be consequences, including sanctions against the vice chancellor,” he said.
The minister further disclosed that all universities must now obtain clearance from the National Universities Commission (NUC) before conferring honorary degrees on any individual.
Under the new arrangement, the NUC will vet all proposed recipients to ensure that only deserving individuals are honoured, effectively ending what the government described as indiscriminate awards.
Alausa also warned that individuals who falsely claim or parade unverified honorary degrees risk prosecution, adding that government agencies would verify such claims directly with awarding institutions.
“If any individual claims an honorary degree that was not duly awarded, such a person can be prosecuted. We are determined to restore integrity to the system,” he said.
He explained that the reforms, which took effect from April 20 following FEC approval, are aimed at restoring credibility to Nigeria’s higher education system and curbing the misuse of academic titles.
On the use of academic titles, the minister said while informal usage in social settings may be difficult to regulate, the government would strictly enforce compliance in official communications and formal engagements.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening standards in the education sector, insisting that the new measures mark a decisive step toward accountability and discipline in the conferment and use of honorary degrees.
The Minister also disclosed that the Council approved a second memo establishing a National Research and Innovation Development Fund.
He explained that the fund is designed to raise $500 million annually to promote collaboration among research agencies, academia, and industry.
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