The National Universities Commission (NUC) has issued new guidelines regulating the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria, citing a growing trend of indiscriminate conferment and misuse of the prestigious honours within the Nigerian University System.
In a public notice released on its official X page on Thursday, the commission said the new framework was approved pursuant to its powers under the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, CAP E3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The notice stated that the move was in line with the commission’s statutory responsibility to ensure the orderly development of university education in the country.
“The National Universities Commission (NUC), by virtue of the provisions of the Education Act (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions), CAP E3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and in the discharge of its statutory responsibility to ensure the orderly development of university education in Nigeria, hereby issues this Public Notice,” the statement read.
The commission expressed “grave concern” over what it described as the increasing incidence of indiscriminate conferment and misuse of honorary doctorate degrees.
“The Commission has observed, with grave concern, the increasing incidence of indiscriminate conferment and misuse of Honorary Doctorate Degrees within the Nigerian University System,” it added.
According to the NUC, the management of the commission has approved comprehensive Guidelines for the Award and Use of Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Nigeria to address the situation.
It explained that the new framework is designed to regulate the conferment process, preserve academic integrity, and safeguard the credibility and global reputation of the Nigerian University System.
The commission stressed that universities must adhere strictly to the guidelines, noting that honorary degrees are meant to recognise individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society and should not be reduced to mere ceremonial or transactional honours.
The NUC reaffirmed its commitment to upholding standards in tertiary education and warned that it would not hesitate to take appropriate action against institutions found to be in violation of the new regulations.
