Nigerian Government Bans Honorary Degree Holders From Using ‘Dr’ Title

The Federal Government has introduced a new rule stopping people who receive honorary degrees from using the title “Dr.”

This decision was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as part of a broader policy to regulate how honorary degrees are awarded and used by universities and other tertiary institutions.

The policy also outlines penalties for anyone who fails to follow the new guidelines.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Education Minister Tunji Alausa said the move became necessary due to growing concerns about how honorary doctorates are being misused and turned into political tools.

According to him, the reform is meant to protect the credibility of academic awards, rebuild public trust, and put an end to the increasing commercialisation of honorary degrees.

He noted that the government has noticed a worrying pattern where some universities hand out honorary doctorates too freely, including to politicians and public officials, stressing that some recipients go on to present themselves as “Doctor” in both official and public settings.

“Recipients are expected to acknowledge the degree as an award or recognition and not as a formal academic qualification,” he said.

Alausa warned that presenting an honorary degree as a formal academic qualification would be considered academic fraud, which could lead to legal action and damage to one’s reputation.

He also stated that only universities that already run accredited PhD programmes will be allowed to award honorary degrees.

The minister described it as inappropriate for newer institutions without doctoral programmes to grant such honours.

He added that the policy builds on the Keffi Declaration, a guideline created by Nigerian university vice-chancellors to reduce abuse in the awarding of honorary degrees.

To ensure compliance, the Federal Ministry of Education, working through the National Universities Commission (NUC), will release official guidelines, monitor convocation ceremonies, and publish a yearly list of legitimate honorary degree recipients.

“We will collaborate with the media to discourage the improper attribution of academic titles to people who were awarded honorary degrees,” he said.

Addressing concerns about university independence, Alausa made it clear that institutional autonomy does not allow schools to operate outside the law.

“Autonomy does not equate to the right to break the law in this country,” the minister added.

Also speaking, Minister of State for Education Suwaiba Ahmad said the Keffi Declaration previously existed as a recommendation without legal force.

She explained that the new approval now gives it official backing, making proper enforcement possible.

The FEC also approved the creation of a national research and innovation development fund aimed at improving coordination within Nigeria’s research system and aligning investments with national development goals.

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