The Federal Government has approved new guidelines regulating the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigerian universities, in a move aimed at curbing abuse and restoring credibility to the academic system.
The policy, approved by the Federal Executive Council, was developed by the National Universities Commission and announced in a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, said the guidelines were introduced to address growing concerns over the abuse, commercialisation and misuse of honorary academic awards.
“The Federal Government has approved comprehensive Guidelines for the Award and Use of Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Nigeria to strengthen academic integrity, transparency, and the credibility of the university system,” the minister said.
Under the new rules, only universities that have graduated their first set of PhD students will be eligible to confer honorary doctorate degrees. Institutions are also limited to a maximum of three honorary awards per convocation ceremony.
The guidelines further stipulate that all honorary doctorates must carry the designation “Honoris Causa”, while recipients are prohibited from using the title “Dr” solely on the basis of the award.
“All honorary degrees must carry the designation ‘Honoris Causa,” and recipients are prohibited from using the title “Dr,” the statement added.
Universities are also required to publish the names of honorary degree recipients, provide orientation for awardees, and establish clear procedures for revocation of awards where necessary.
“Universities are required to publish recipients’ names, provide orientation to awardees, and implement revocation procedures where necessary,” it stated.
To enforce compliance, the government has introduced oversight mechanisms, including a monitoring unit under the NUC.
Institutions that fail to comply risk sanctions, including suspension of accreditation activities and possible dissolution of governing councils.
“The Federal Government directed strict compliance, warning that violations may attract sanctions including suspension of accreditation activities and dissolution of governing councils,” the statement said.
The guidelines follow earlier concerns raised by the NUC in February over the rising abuse of honorary doctorates and the activities of unapproved bodies conferring such awards.