By Tony Onyima, Ph.D.
The recent Federal Government’s approval of comprehensive guidelines on the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees marks one of the most far-reaching reforms in Nigeria’s higher education sector in years. Announced by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, and developed by the National Universities Commission (NUC), the policy seeks to restore credibility to a system that many critics argue has been undermined by indiscriminate awards, political patronage, and outright commercialisation.
Beyond setting administrative procedures, the new framework sends a strong message: honorary doctorates must once again become symbols of exceptional achievement rather than instruments of prestige trading.
The government’s decision stems from growing concerns over what it describes as the “abuse, commercialisation, and misuse” of honorary doctorate awards. Over the years, Nigerian universities have faced criticism for conferring honorary degrees on politicians, businesspersons, and public figures whose contributions to society were often questioned.
In some instances, honorary degrees appeared to be linked more to financial contributions, political influence, or institutional convenience than to demonstrable excellence. The result has been a gradual erosion of public confidence in academic honours and a perception that some universities have transformed convocation ceremonies into fundraising platforms.
The new guidelines represent an attempt to reverse this trend and align Nigeria’s practices with international standards. One of the most significant provisions is that only universities that have graduated their first cohort of PhD students can award honorary doctorates. This requirement introduces an important maturity test. In recent years, many newly established universities have rushed to confer honorary degrees despite having limited academic track records.
By restricting the privilege to institutions with proven postgraduate capacity, the government seeks to ensure that universities confer honorary awards with demonstrable academic standing. The policy effectively links institutional credibility to the authority to bestow academic honours.
Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the guidelines is the exclusion of serving elected and appointed public office holders from eligibility. This provision addresses a long-standing criticism of Nigerian universities.
Governors, ministers, legislators, and other political officeholders have frequently received honorary degrees while still in office, often raising questions about whether the awards were motivated by political considerations rather than genuine merit. By barring serving public officials, the government aims to eliminate potential conflicts of interest and protect universities from accusations of political favouritism.
Equally noteworthy is the prohibition of self-nominations, another measure designed to strengthen the integrity of the selection process. The guidelines introduce a multilayered approval process that significantly raises the threshold for nominations.
Under the new regime: Nominations must pass through statutory university committees; University Senates and Governing Councils must approve nominees; and Nominees must undergo clearance by the NUC.
The newly established Special Fraud Unit at the NUC will vet candidates before approval. This is perhaps the most rigorous screening framework ever introduced for honorary doctorate awards in Nigeria. The inclusion of fraud clearance reflects growing concern over reputational risks. Universities have occasionally faced embarrassment after honouring individuals who later became subjects of criminal investigations or public scandals. The new vetting process seeks to prevent such occurrences.
Another notable reform is the requirement that nominations remain confidential until all approvals and clearances are complete. Traditionally, information about potential awardees often circulates long before official announcements, creating opportunities for lobbying, influence-peddling, and public controversy. By keeping nominations confidential, the government hopes to shield the process from external pressure and preserve institutional independence.
The guidelines also stipulate that no university may confer more than three honorary doctorate degrees during a convocation ceremony. This provision appears designed to address the growing tendency among some institutions to honour numerous individuals at a single event. Limiting awards to three recipients introduces exclusivity and prestige. Internationally, honorary doctorates are typically reserved for a small number of exceptional individuals whose accomplishments have had a significant impact on society. The restriction therefore seeks to make the honour more meaningful and selective.
Perhaps the most socially significant aspect of the policy concerns the use of honorary doctorate titles. While recipients may use the approved nomenclature for their awards —such as Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) or Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa)— the guidelines explicitly prohibit them from using the title “Dr.” According to the policy, the title “Dr.” remains reserved for holders of earned doctoral degrees and professional medical qualifications. This provision addresses a longstanding debate in Nigeria, where honorary doctorate recipients frequently adopt the title “Dr.” in public life, business, politics, and social engagements.
The government’s position aligns with practices in many academic systems worldwide, where honorary doctorates confer recognition but not the academic status associated with earned doctoral qualifications.
The guidelines go even further by prohibiting holders of honorary doctorates from presenting themselves as scholars or professionals based on their awards. Recipients may not: Practise as academics on the strength of the honorary degree; Supervise research; Oversee academic units; and Claim professional competence solely because of the honour. This provision seeks to eliminate confusion between earned academic credentials and honorary recognition.
Universities will now be required to publish the names of honorary degree recipients on their official websites. This move promotes transparency and enables public scrutiny of award decisions. It also creates a permanent and verifiable record of recipients, making it easier to assess whether institutions are adhering to established standards.
In an era of growing public demand for accountability, this requirement represents a significant governance reform. For the first time, universities are being required to establish formal mechanisms for revoking honorary degrees.
Under the guidelines, awards may be rescinded if recipients are convicted of fraud or engage in conduct inconsistent with the values of the awarding institution. This aligns with global practice. Several universities around the world have withdrawn honorary degrees from public figures whose later actions brought disrepute to the institutions that honoured them. The provision underscores the principle that honorary recognition is not irrevocable and must be sustained by continued ethical conduct.
The most striking feature of the new framework may be its enforcement provisions.
Universities that violate the guidelines face severe penalties, including: Suspension of resource verification for two years;
Delayed programme accreditation for three academic sessions; and Possible dissolution of the institution’s Governing Council upon recommendation by the Federal Ministry of Education.
These sanctions signal that the government is treating the matter as more than a ceremonial issue. Instead, it views the integrity of honorary awards as part of the broader quality assurance framework for higher education. The establishment of a Special Fraud Unit headed by a senior police officer further demonstrates the seriousness of the government’s approach.
The new guidelines are likely to have profound implications for universities, particularly those that have relied on honorary degree ceremonies to cultivate relationships with influential personalities.
Institutions will now need to develop more rigorous nomination procedures, conduct extensive due diligence, and justify their selections against clear standards. While some university administrators may view the new rules as restrictive, supporters argue that they will ultimately enhance the prestige of honorary awards and strengthen public confidence in Nigerian higher education.
The success of the policy will depend largely on consistent enforcement. Nigeria has no shortage of regulations; the challenge has often been implementation. If the NUC and the Federal Ministry of Education apply the rules impartially, the guidelines could become a watershed moment in restoring the dignity and exclusivity of honorary doctorates.
At its core, the reform seeks to re-establish a simple principle: honorary degrees should honour extraordinary achievement, distinguished service, and lasting societal impact — not wealth, political office, or influence. For a university system striving for greater global competitiveness and credibility, that objective may be long overdue.
Dr Onyima teaches at Paul University, Awka.
