NUC issues guidelines to universities on conferment of Honorary Doctorate degrees

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has issued new guidelines to Nigerian universities on the conferment and use of honorary doctorate degrees, in a bid to safeguard academic integrity and prevent abuses associated with such awards.

In a circular dated February 24 and addressed to all Vice-Chancellors, the Commission, through Adewale Bakare, Acting Director of the Executive Secretary’s Office, outlined procedures to standardise the process, ensure transparency, and uphold ethical standards. The framework was developed in September 2025 following consultations with universities across the country.

“I am to emphasise that the guidelines were formulated to safeguard the integrity of the university system, standardise procedures for the conferment of honorary degrees, and curb the growing incidence of misuse and abuse of such awards,” Bakare said.

Under the new rules, the NUC said only approved public and private universities are eligible to confer honorary doctorate degrees. Institutions must also have graduated their first set of PhD students to qualify.

The NUC said the awards should recognise exceptional and sustained contributions, reflect the values of the institution, and promote diversity.

The Commission also directed universities to establish clear procedures for selecting recipients, which must be publicly accessible. Self-nominations are prohibited, and serving public officials are barred from receiving honorary degrees.

According to NUC, nominations must be reviewed by a statutory committee and approved by the University Senate and Governing Council before any award is conferred. To prevent excessive awards, the NUC capped the number of honorary doctorates at three per convocation ceremony.

The Commission stated that honorary degrees must carry the designation Honoris Causa and should be conferred in person during formal ceremonies, although virtual conferment may be allowed in exceptional cases. Recipients are not required to pay any fees and may use the honorary title after their names, but they are prohibited from using the prefix “Dr.” or claiming any professional or academic authority based on the award.