By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Federal Government has approved new guidelines regulating the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigerian universities aimed at curbing abuse and restoring credibility to the academic system.
Part of the guidelines, developed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), limits universities to a maximum of three honorary awards per convocation ceremony.
This was announced in a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, on Wednesday, June 10.
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 statement read.
The guidelines stated that only universities that have graduated their first set of PhD students will be eligible to confer honorary doctorate degrees.
The new rules also state that institutions are limited to a maximum of three honorary awards per convocation ceremony.
According to the guidelines, 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.
The guidelines added that 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,” the statement added.
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 over the rising abuse and racketeering of honorary doctorates and the activities of unapproved bodies conferring such awards.
The NUC added that it plans to clamp down on 32 institutions, including unaccredited foreign and local universities, involved in the racketeering of honorary doctorates and aiding the misuse of the title.
