NUC Cracks Down on Indiscriminate Honorary Degrees To Protect Academic Integrity

 By Lisa Chankat Abuja 

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has issued a stern public notice targeting the “indiscriminate conferment and misuse” of honorary doctorate degrees across the country. Citing its statutory mandate under the Education Act, the Commission revealed that it has observed a worrying trend of institutions devaluing academic honors.

In response, the NUC has approved a new set of comprehensive guidelines designed to regulate the award process and restore the credibility of the Nigerian University System.

The move serves as a direct directive to all Nigerian universities and degree-awarding institutions to strictly adhere to standardized protocols. The Commission emphasized that these new rules are a reinforcement of the 2012 Keffi Declaration, a landmark agreement previously signed by Vice-Chancellors nationwide. By formalizing these expectations, the NUC aims to ensure that honorary degrees remain a tool for celebrating genuine merit rather than a commodity for social or

political gain.

Central to the notice is a sharp clarification regarding the status of these titles. The NUC reminded the general public that an honorary doctorate whether conferred by a local or foreign institution is strictly a distinction of honor. The Commission explicitly warned that these titles must not be represented as, or used in place of, earned academic doctorate qualifications (Ph.D.), which require rigorous research and examination.

The Commission underscored that this intervention is necessary to protect the “sanctity and global reputation” of Nigerian higher education. By tightening the reins on how these degrees are distributed and used, the NUC hopes to prevent the erosion of academic standards that occurs when honorary titles are treated as professional credentials. The guidelines represent a shift toward greater accountability for both the institutions granting the awards and the individuals receiving them.

It warned that Failure to comply with these new standards will carry significant consequences. The NUC stated that regulatory sanctions will be imposed on any university found violating the guidelines, and individuals who misuse their honorary titles may also face penalties.

This proactive stance marks a definitive effort by the Commission to maintain the prestige of Nigerian doctoral degrees on the intern

1. ational stage.