The National Universities Commission has warned Nigerian universities against what it describes as the indiscriminate conferment and misuse of honorary doctorate degrees. In a statement issued on Thursday, the commission said it would impose sanctions on institutions and individuals found to have breached its regulations.
The NUC announced a 16-point guideline governing the award and use of honorary doctorates. It said the measures are in line with the Education Act, National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions, Cap E3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and its statutory mandate to regulate the university system.
The commission said the directive follows growing concern about the increasing award and misuse of honorary titles. It stated that the guidelines are intended to protect academic integrity and safeguard the credibility and global reputation of the Nigerian university system.
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The NUC reminded universities and other degree-awarding institutions that honorary doctorates, whether granted in Nigeria or abroad, are distinctions and not equivalent to earned academic degrees. It directed all institutions to comply fully with the provisions, in line with the 2012 Keffi Declaration signed by vice chancellors.
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