The Federal Government has prohibited recipients of honorary degrees from using the title “Dr” before their names in any official, academic, or professional setting.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the directive on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja while briefing journalists on recent approvals by the Federal Executive Council. He explained that presenting honorary titles as earned academic qualifications will now be regarded as academic fraud, carrying possible legal and reputational penalties.
According to the minister, the new policy introduces a standard framework for how honorary degrees are awarded and referenced across Nigerian universities. It aims to curb long-standing abuses, including the politicisation and commercialisation of such honours.
Also see:Dangote Group Slams False Claims on Refinery Financing, ‘Rift’ with Elumelu
Alausa noted that honorary awards have increasingly been used for political favour and financial gain, with some institutions conferring them on serving public officials; an act he described as unethical.
To address this, recipients must now place the honorary designation after their names rather than before. For example, individuals may use formats such as “D.Lit. (Honoris Causa)” or “LL.D. Hons” to clearly indicate the distinction.
The policy also limits Nigerian universities to awarding only four honorary degrees: Doctor of Laws, Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Science, and Doctor of Humanities. Additionally, institutions without active PhD programmes are barred from granting honorary degrees.
The government says the reforms are designed to restore credibility and public trust in Nigeria’s academic system.
