The National Universities Commission (NUC) has released a comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at regulating the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria’s university system, amid rising concerns over indiscriminate conferment and misuse.
In a public notice posted on its official social media pages on Thursday, the commission said the guidelines were issued under the authority of the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, CAP E3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to preserve the credibility and integrity of honorary recognitions.
NUC said the new framework was developed in response to “grave concern” over the increasing incidence of unregulated awards by universities and other institutions – a practice it said undermines academic standards and the reputation of Nigeria’s higher education system.
The guidelines outline strict criteria for the awarding of honorary doctorates, emphasising transparency, fairness, and adherence to established academic traditions. They include conditions such as limiting awards to only accredited universities that have produced their first PhD graduates and restricting the number of honorary doctorates conferred at each graduation ceremony.
Under the new framework, honours may be given only to individuals with exceptional accomplishment and sustained contribution to society, but self-nomination and awards to serving public officials are expressly prohibited. Recipients are expected to receive both written and verbal orientation on the proper use of the honours.
NUC also clarified that honorary doctorate degrees are distinctions and not equivalent to earned academic qualifications. Holders of such awards are not permitted to use the title “Dr.” — a designation reserved for holders of earned PhDs and medical qualifications — nor may they supervise research, teach, or hold academic leadership positions based on the honorary award.
To uphold transparency, universities are required to publish recipient lists on their official websites. They must also establish formal mechanisms to revoke awards if recipients are later convicted of fraud or other unethical conduct.
The guidelines were developed with reference to long-standing academic norms, including the Keffi Declaration of 2012, and after consultations with universities in December 2025.
NUC warned that institutions or individuals found in violation of the regulations will face sanctions. The move follows earlier investigations exposing widespread misuse of honorary doctorate titles and the operation of “degree mills” within and outside Nigeria, which it said contributed to the problem.
The commission said the reforms are intended to strengthen institutional practices, promote transparency, and protect the global standing of the Nigerian University System.
