The Federal Government has officially prohibited recipients of honorary degrees from prefixing “Dr” to their names in any formal, academic, or professional setting.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, made this known during a media briefing held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday. He revealed that the directive was approved at the
Federal Executive Council meeting on April 30.
According to the minister, the decision was taken to curb the growing misuse and politicisation of honorary degrees across the country. He expressed concern that such awards are increasingly being influenced by financial incentives and political patronage, rather than genuine recognition of merit.
Alausa noted that the trend has also seen honorary degrees being conferred on serving public officials, a practice he described as unethical and contrary to established academic standards.
He warned that institutions found violating the directive will face sanctions, adding that Vice Chancellors have been mandated to regulate and standardise the process of awarding honorary degrees.
The minister further disclosed that universities will now be required to seek approval from the Nigerian Universities Commission before conferring any honorary degree.
