Warns recipients against using ‘Dr’ title without disclosure
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has uncovered 32 entities operating as honorary doctorate degree millsacross the country, prompting fresh warnings against the misuse of honorary titles and the proliferation of unaccredited institutions.
Executive Secretary of the Commission, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, describing the development as a “growing national concern” that threatens the integrity of Nigeria’s higher education system.
According to Ribadu, the investigation identified 10 unaccredited foreign universities, 4 unlicensed local universities, 15 professional organisations without degree-awarding powers, and 3 other entities that are not authorised to grant academic qualifications.
Ribadu lamented the increasing misuse of honorary doctorates by recipients as well as the rise of illegal institutions offering such awards “without merit, oversight or legitimacy.”
“Honorary doctorate degrees are meant to recognise outstanding service or achievements,” he said. “Unfortunately, these awards have increasingly been misused by recipients. More troubling is the rise of unaccredited and illegal institutions that operate as honorary doctorate degree mills in Nigeria.”
He noted that many of the institutions identified failed to comply with the 2012 Keffi Declaration, a policy agreed upon by Vice-Chancellors to regulate honorary awards and prohibit universities from honouring serving public officials.
The NUC chief stressed that using the title “Dr” on the basis of an honorary degree without proper clarification amounts to false representation, punishable under Nigeria’s fraud-related laws.
“This trend threatens the integrity of our universities and the value of genuine academic qualifications. It undermines the hard work of scholars and diminishes public trust in our education system,” he warned.
Ribadu added that some of the degree mills even go as far as awarding fake professorships.
Reaffirming the NUC’s regulatory powers, he said only duly approved public or private universities are legally permitted to confer honorary doctorates in Nigeria.
He explained that legitimate recipients may use designations such as Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) or D.Litt. (h.c.), but must not prefix their names with “Dr”, a title reserved for PhD holders and medical professionals.
“Additionally, they are not permitted to use the honorary doctorate degree to practise as scholars or professionals, supervise research, or oversee academic units,” he added.
Ribadu said the Commission remains committed to protecting the sanctity of the Nigerian university system and will continue to clamp down on institutions and individuals violating established protocols for honorary awards.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
