The Federal Government has prohibited recipients of honorary degrees from using the title “Dr” as part of efforts to curb abuse in the award system.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the decision on Wednesday during a media briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to him, the directive was approved at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) held on April 30.
Alausa said the move is aimed at addressing the growing trend of indiscriminate conferment of honorary degrees, which he described as increasingly politicised and, in some cases, driven by financial motives.
“The recent trend we’ve seen with the award of honorary degrees has revealed a growing abuse and politicisation of this academic privilege,” he said, noting that such honours have been used for political patronage and awarded to serving public officials contrary to established ethical standards.
He warned that universities found violating the directive would face sanctions, adding that vice-chancellors have been instructed to tighten procedures surrounding the conferment of honorary degrees.
The minister also disclosed that, going forward, all universities must obtain approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) before awarding honorary degrees.
The new policy is expected to standardise the process and restore credibility to honorary academic awards in Nigeria.
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