The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced detailed guidelines aimed at regulating the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees within Nigeria. The commission cautioned that both institutions and individuals who do not comply with these guidelines could face disciplinary actions.
On Thursday, the NUC laid out a 16-point framework, ensuring that it aligns with the Education Act's provisions as outlined in the National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions, CAP E3, of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (2004), which outlines its statutory duties.
"The commission has taken note of an alarming rise in the indiscriminate awarding and misuse of Honorary Doctorate Degrees within Nigeria's university system," the statement elucidated.
To address this situation, the commission’s management has sanctioned comprehensive guidelines dedicated to overseeing the bestowal and use of honorary doctorate degrees. These guidelines are designed to maintain the integrity of academic processes and protect the reputation of the Nigerian University System.
The NUC has mandated that all universities and institutions authorized to confer degrees in Nigeria strictly follow the approved guidelines, highlighting that this aligns with the principles set forth in the Keffi Declaration of 2012, which all university vice-chancellors agreed to uphold.
Additionally, the commission emphasized that honorary doctorate degrees, regardless of being awarded in Nigeria or overseas, are intended as accolades and should not be equated with earned academic doctorates.
“For clarity, the commission restates that these guidelines have been implemented to uphold the sanctity, integrity, and international standing of the Nigerian university system,” the statement further explained.
The NUC reiterated that all parties are required to fully comply with the established procedures governing the awarding and application of Honorary Doctorate Degrees. It warned that appropriate regulatory sanctions would be enforced against any institution that breaches the NUC-approved guidelines, as well as individuals who improperly utilize honorary titles.
This initiative arises in response to the increasing concerns surrounding the unauthorized proliferation of honorary degrees, which often lack clear awarding criteria, thus jeopardizing the credibility of Nigeria’s higher education sector.
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