NUC Cautions Universities Over Misuse of Honorary Degrees
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has expressed concerns about the growing misuse of honorary doctorate degrees by various Nigerian universities and unaccredited institutions across the country.
On Friday in Abuja, the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, released findings from an investigation into the “awards and public misuse of honorary doctorate degrees.”
According to Daily Trust, Ribadu mentioned that the investigation, which included 61 universities and professional organizations, revealed “deeply troubling” actions, such as the careless granting of honorary degrees and the issuance of fake professorships.
“The findings identified 32 institutions acting as honorary doctorate degree factories. This includes 10 unaccredited foreign universities, 4 local universities without licenses, 15 professional groups that cannot award degrees, and 3 other institutions that do not grant degrees.
“It is especially troubling that some of these organizations go as far as issuing counterfeit professorships,” he said.
The NUC head warned that those receiving honorary doctorates should not call themselves “Dr.,” emphasizing that this title is only for individuals with PhDs or medical degrees.
“Awardees may use titles like Doctor of Literature, but they must avoid using ‘Dr.,’ as this title belongs to PhD holders and medical professionals.
“Additionally, they cannot use honorary doctorate degrees for academic work, supervising research, or managing administrative units,” he explained further.
He emphasized that only Nigerian universities have the legal authority to award honorary degrees, and it is the NUC’s job to oversee how they are given and used.
According to PUNCH Online, the investigation comes after a committee was formed to look into politicization and public misuse of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria.
The five-member team, led by NUC Visiting Professor and former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kabiru Bala, was tasked with suggesting ethical standards and best practices for awarding and managing honorary degrees.
While speaking at Nile University’s 13th convocation on Wednesday, Ribadu noted that many universities have ignored the 2012 Keffi Declaration, which prohibits granting honorary doctorates to serving public officials.
“We have the Keffi Declaration from 2012, which prevents awarding honorary doctorates to individuals currently in office, whether political or otherwise. However, many of our universities do not follow it,” he remarked.
In recent years, both accredited and unaccredited institutions have given honorary degrees to politicians, business leaders, and celebrities, raising questions about the legitimacy of some awards.
The NUC stated it will promote the correct use of honorary degrees to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s university system and maintain academic standards.
DOWNLOAD EXAM SCHOLARS 2025 CBT APP ON THE PLAY STORE
DOWNLOAD EXAM SCHOLARS 2025 CBT APP ON THE APP STORE
DOWNLOAD EXAM SCHOLARS 2025 CBT APP ON WINDOWS
Visit EXAMSCHOLARS.COM for more info
