The National Universities Commission has warned Nigerian universities against the growing practice of indiscriminate award of honorary doctorate degrees, saying institutions found culpable risk facing sanctions.
The commission also cautioned individuals against the improper use of honorary academic titles, stressing that regulatory action would be taken against offenders.
In a statement released on Thursday, the NUC announced a new 16-point guideline aimed at regulating how honorary degrees are awarded across the country’s university system. The directive, it said, is backed by provisions of the Education Act guiding minimum academic standards.
According to the commission, the decision followed concerns over the rising misuse and questionable conferment of honorary doctorates, a trend it said threatens the credibility of higher education in Nigeria.
The NUC explained that honorary doctorate degrees are symbolic recognitions and must not be presented as equivalent to academically earned doctoral qualifications, whether awarded within Nigeria or overseas.
Universities and other authorised degree-awarding institutions were directed to comply strictly with the new rules, which the commission noted align with principles contained in the 2012 Keffi Declaration endorsed by vice-chancellors.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting the integrity and global reputation of Nigerian universities, the commission warned that both institutions and recipients who breach the guidelines would be subjected to appropriate regulatory penalties.
