National Universities Commission prohibits recipients of honorary doctorates from using the 'Dr.' prefix.

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National Universities Commission (NUC)

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By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

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The National Universities Commission (NUC) has introduced stricter guidelines regulating the award of honorary degrees, including a ban on recipients using the “Dr.” title.

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The Commission said the directive is aimed at curbing the abuse and indiscriminate conferment of honorary awards, which it noted has undermined the value of genuine academic distinctions.

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Under the new guidelines, only universities that have graduated their first set of PhD students will be eligible to confer honorary degrees, effectively excluding newer institutions from the practice.

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The NUC clarified that recipients of honorary degrees must not prefix their names with “Dr.” Instead, they are to use appropriate post-nominal titles such as Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) — D.Sc (H.C). It emphasized that the “Dr.” title is reserved strictly for individuals who have earned doctoral degrees or are certified medical practitioners.

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The Commission also prohibited any form of financial inducement in the award of honorary degrees, insisting that such honours must be based solely on merit and conferred free of charge.

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To ensure moderation, universities are now limited to a maximum of three honorary degrees per convocation ceremony. In addition, self-nominated candidates and serving public officials—whether elected or appointed—are barred from receiving such awards.

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As part of measures to promote transparency, institutions are required to publish the names of recipients on their official websites and establish procedures for revoking honours from individuals later found guilty of misconduct.

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The NUC further stated that honorary degrees do not confer any academic or professional privileges, including the right to practise regulated professions, supervise research, or hold administrative positions in universities.

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It warned that institutions that fail to comply with the new guidelines would face regulatory sanctions.

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The Commission said the reforms are part of broader efforts to protect the integrity and global reputation of Nigeria’s university system, stressing that academic honours must reflect merit, dignity, and excellence.

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