NUC Issues Fresh Guidelines on Honorary Degrees to Protect Academic Integrity
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has introduced new guidelines aimed at regulating the award of honorary degrees in Nigerian universities.
The commission has barred recipients of honorary degrees from using the title “Dr.” and has restricted the power to award such degrees only to universities that have produced PhD graduates.
Key Provisions of the New Guidelines
According to the NUC circular, the following rules now apply:
– Recipients of honorary degrees must not use the prefix “Dr.” before their names. They are only permitted to add “Hon.” after their names where necessary.
– Only universities that have graduated PhD students are allowed to confer honorary degrees.
– Honorary degrees should be awarded sparingly and only to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to society, scholarship, or national development.
– The guidelines seek to prevent the indiscriminate conferment of honorary doctorates that has become common in recent years.
The NUC stated that the new measures are necessary to restore and protect the integrity of academic titles in the Nigerian university system.
Why the Changes Were Made
Over the past few years, concerns have grown about the proliferation of honorary degrees awarded by some institutions, sometimes to politicians, businessmen, and public figures with little or no direct link to academic or societal impact. Critics argued that this practice was cheapening the value of earned doctoral degrees.
The restriction to only PhD-producing universities is intended to ensure that only institutions with proven research capacity and academic maturity grant such honours.
Reactions and Implications
The directive has been received with mixed feelings. Some academics and education stakeholders have welcomed it as a necessary step to sanitise the system, while others believe it may be difficult to enforce across all institutions.
As of April 2026, universities are expected to align with the new NUC guidelines when planning any honorary degree awards. The commission has warned that any violation may attract appropriate sanctions.
Key Points
– Recipients of honorary degrees are no longer allowed to use the title “Dr.”
– Only universities that have produced PhD graduates can award honorary degrees.
– The guidelines aim to reduce indiscriminate conferment and restore academic integrity.
– Honorary degrees should be awarded sparingly and based on genuine exceptional contributions.
– The new rules take immediate effect across all Nigerian universities.
The NUC has advised university authorities to study the full circular and ensure full compliance. This development is part of broader efforts by the commission to strengthen standards in the Nigerian university system.