The National Universities Commission has raised fresh concern over the persistent misuse and commercialization of honorary doctorate degrees by universities and unaccredited institutions across the country.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the warning was issued following months of internal review and several public complaints regarding the rising abuse of academic titles by recipients who parade themselves as “Dr” despite not earning a PhD or medical degree.
The Commission’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, disclosed the details on Friday in Abuja while presenting the findings of an investigative panel set up to examine what he described as “the awards and public misuse of honorary doctorate degrees” in Nigeria.
Ribadu explained that the inquiry covered 61 institutions and professional bodies, including government-licensed universities, privately owned institutions, and several unaccredited organizations that have reportedly been conferring dubious titles on unsuspecting individuals for years.
According to him, the findings were “deeply concerning” and revealed disturbing practices, such as the indiscriminate conferment of honorary degrees, institutions awarding multiple honorary titles to individuals for a fee, and even unrecognized organizations issuing fake professorships to people seeking social status, political advantage, or public recognition.
He described the trend as an assault on Nigeria’s academic integrity, adding that the Commission would no longer tolerate institutions that commercialize academic honors meant to recognize exceptional contributions to society.
The NUC boss emphasized that honorary degrees are symbolic acknowledgments and do not serve as academic qualifications. He reiterated that recipients are expected to appreciate the honor without adopting the title as part of their names or using it for official or professional purposes.
Ribadu warned that recipients of honorary doctorates must not use the title “Dr” before their names, stressing that such recognition does not grant them the privilege reserved for those who have completed rigorous academic work leading to a Doctor of Philosophy or undergone medical training.
He further stated that the Commission intends to issue stricter guidelines for awarding honorary degrees and will sanction universities and institutions that violate established protocols or fail to comply with regulatory standards.
Education analysts say the misuse of honorary degrees has undermined public trust in Nigerian academia, especially as several high-profile individuals continue to flaunt unearned titles at political events, public gatherings, and on social media.
The NUC, according to Ribadu, will continue to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s higher education system and ensure that academic titles reflect genuine scholarship, merit, and credibility.