NUC moves to sanction institutions over indiscriminate award of honorary degrees

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has issued fresh guidelines to regulate the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria.

In a public notice released on its official X page, the Commission said the guidelines were approved under its powers as provided by the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, CAP E3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The NUC expressed concern over what it described as the growing trend of indiscriminate conferment and misuse of honorary doctorate degrees within the Nigerian university system.

According to the notice issued on Thursday, the Commission said it was acting in line with its statutory responsibility to ensure the orderly development of university education in the country.

It noted that the increasing abuse of honorary degrees had become a matter of grave concern, necessitating urgent regulatory intervention.

The Commission said its management had therefore approved comprehensive guidelines to properly regulate the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria.

The new framework, it added, is aimed at preserving academic integrity, safeguarding the credibility of universities, and protecting the global reputation of the Nigerian university system. Institutions were directed to strictly comply, with sanctions for violations.

The NUC also reminded the public that honorary doctorate degrees, whether awarded in Nigeria or abroad, are purely honorary and should not be treated as equivalent to earned academic doctorate qualifications.