By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The National Universities Commission (NUC) says it has developed a policy to end the racketeering of honorary degrees and would soon publish a guideline for the award and use of honorary degrees.
The NUC added that it plans to clamp down on 32 institutions, including unaccredited foreign and local universities, involved in racketeering of honorary doctorates and aiding the misuse of the prestigious titles.
This was disclosed by a representative of the NUC, Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, while speaking with journalists at a conference in Abuja on Friday, November 21.
Ribadu said the awards, which are meant to recognise outstanding service or achievements, are increasingly being misused by recipients, adding that institutions are offering the honours without merit, oversight, and legitimacy.
He further disclosed that the NUC’s investigation into the matter unraveled findings that raise concerns, particularly non-compliance with the Keffi Declaration of 2012.
Ribadu said: “This is the policy agreed upon by vice-chancellors of Nigerian universities to regulate the award of honorary doctorate degrees.
“It prohibits the award of honorary degrees to serving public officials and cautions recipients against using the title ‘Dr’ without proper disclosure.”
The NUC official warned that using the title “Dr” based on an honorary degree without clarification is considered false representation, punishable under various fraud-related laws in Nigeria.
He added, “Beyond the legal implications, this trend threatens the integrity of our universities and the value of genuine academic qualifications. It undermines the hard work of scholars and diminishes public trust in our education system.”
According to Ribadu, the NUC investigations identified 32 institutions operating as honorary doctorate mills, including 10 unaccredited foreign universities, four unlicensed local universities, 15 professional bodies with no degree-awarding powers, and three other non-degree-awarding institutions
He further disclosed that some of the identified institutions go as far as awarding fake professorships.
NUC said the right to award honorary degrees is exclusively vested in approved Nigerian universities, as empowered by the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, Chapter E2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, L.F.N. 2004.
The NUC official said the guideline outlined the rules for recipients of the awards, saying they are at liberty to use the full nomenclature, such as Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) or the title D. Litt. (h.c.) at the end of their names.
Ribadu added that they must, however, refrain from using the title “Dr”, which is the designation for PhD holders and medical personnel.
The guideline also stipulates that honorary degree recipients are not permitted to use the honorary doctorate to practise as scholars or professionals, supervise research, or oversee administrative units.
