BREAKING NEWS: The Federal Government has banned recipients of honorary degrees from using the “Dr” title in official, academic, or professional settings, describing such usage as misrepresentation and academic fraud.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the policy after Federal Executive Council approval, stating it was aimed at curbing the “growing abuse and politicisation” of honorary awards in Nigerian universities.
He said, “We’ve seen awards being used for political patronage, for financial gain,” adding that honorary degree holders must no longer prefix “Dr” to their names.
Under the new rule, recipients must instead use post-nominal titles such as “D.Lit (Honoris Causa)” or similar designations that clearly show the honorary nature of the award.
Alausa warned that “misrepresentation of honorary degrees as earned academic credentials shall be considered academic fraud and subject to legal and reputational consequences.”
The policy also limits honorary awards to specific categories and restricts universities without active PhD programmes from issuing them. The National Universities Commission will oversee enforcement and compliance nationwide.