FG Cracks Down on Honorary Degrees, Bans Use of ‘Dr’ Title Without Academic Merit

The Federal Government has barred recipients of honorary degrees from using the title “Dr,” in a sweeping move aimed at curbing the abuse and politicisation of academic honours in Nigeria.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the decision on Wednesday during a media briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following a resolution by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

According to the minister, the directive was approved at the Council’s meeting held on April 30 and is intended to restore integrity to the nation’s academic system.

Alausa said the government was concerned about the growing trend of indiscriminate conferment of honorary degrees, often driven by political patronage and financial inducements.

“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. “We’ve seen awards being used for political patronage, for financial gain, as well as the conferral of awards on serving public officials, which, as part of the ethics of honorary degree awards, should not happen.”

He warned that universities found violating the directive would face sanctions, adding that vice-chancellors have been instructed to tighten procedures around such awards.

The minister further disclosed that, going forward, all universities must obtain approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) before conferring honorary degrees.

The move marks one of the most significant regulatory interventions in Nigeria’s higher education system in recent years, as authorities seek to address longstanding concerns over the credibility and misuse of honorary academic titles.