The Pathfinder
Thursday February 26, 2026
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The National Universities Commission (NUC) has released updated rules regulating the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria, citing growing concerns over indiscriminate conferment and misuse.
The guidelines, approved under the Education Act, aim to preserve academic integrity, safeguard the credibility of Nigerian universities, and regulate the conferment process.
The Executive Secretary, Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu said the framework aligns with the Keffi Declaration of 2012 and emphasizes transparency, fairness, and accountability.
Key directives include:
Only accredited universities that have graduated their first PhD cohort can award honorary doctorates.
Awards must recognize exceptional contributions and reflect institutional values.
Self-nomination or serving public officials are excluded from consideration.
Nominations require Senate and Governing Council approval, with a maximum of three awards per convocation.
Recipients cannot use the title “Dr.”, supervise research, or practice professionally with an honorary degree.
Universities must provide orientation on proper use and publish recipients’ names online for transparency.
A formal revocation policy is required for unethical conduct.
The NUC warned that violations could attract regulatory sanctions and reminded the public that honorary doctorates remain distinct from earned academic or professional qualifications.
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