- The Federal Government has prohibited holders of honorary degrees from using the title “Dr” in official, academic, or professional settings across the country.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the directive on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after the Federal Executive Council meeting.
According to the minister, the decision was taken following concerns over the increasing misuse and politicisation of honorary degree awards in Nigeria.
He stated that honorary degrees have increasingly been used for political patronage and financial influence, while some awards have also been conferred on serving public officials in ways that conflict with established ethical standards.
Under the new policy, recipients of honorary doctorate degrees will no longer be allowed to attach the prefix “Dr” to their names. Instead, they are expected to indicate the honorary award in full after their names.
The government said the move is aimed at preserving the integrity and credibility of academic honours in the country.
