The National Universities Commission (NUC) has introduced comprehensive new guidelines regulating the conferment and use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria.
The Commission cited growing concerns over the indiscriminate award and misuse of such honours within the Nigerian university system.
In a public notice posted on its official X account on Thursday, February 26, 2026, the NUC stated that the guidelines were approved under its statutory powers as provided in the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, CAP E3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The notice read in part:
“The National Universities Commission (NUC), by virtue of the provisions of the Education Act (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions), CAP E3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and in the discharge of its statutory responsibility to ensure the orderly development of university education in Nigeria, hereby issues this Public Notice.
“The Commission has observed, with grave concern, the increasing incidence of indiscriminate conferment and misuse of Honorary Doctorate Degrees within the Nigerian University System.
“In response to this development, the Management of the Commission has approved comprehensive Guidelines for the Award and Use of Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Nigeria.”
The new framework aims to regulate the conferment process, preserve academic integrity, and protect the credibility and global reputation of the Nigerian university system.
The NUC directed all Nigerian universities and other degree-awarding institutions to strictly comply with the provisions.
It warned that appropriate regulatory sanctions would be imposed on any institution or individual found violating the approved guidelines.
The Commission also reminded the public that honorary doctorates—whether awarded in Nigeria or abroad—are purely honorary distinctions and must not be regarded as equivalent to earned academic doctoral qualifications.
Honorary doctorates are defined as “non-earned doctoral degrees awarded honoris causa, for the sake of honour, to acknowledge distinguished merit, outstanding public service, scholarly impact, creative achievement, or significant contributions that reflect the values and mission of the awarding institution.”
NUC Executive Secretary Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu stated that the guidelines were developed with input from established academic traditions in Nigeria, including resolutions from the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (as articulated in the Keffi Declaration of 2012) and submissions received from universities in December 2025.
He described the framework as a means to provide informed policy direction, strengthen institutional practices, and promote greater transparency and accountability in the award and use of honorary doctorates.
The guidelines follow an NUC investigation that uncovered widespread misuse, including by unaccredited foreign universities, unlicensed local institutions, and professional bodies lacking degree-awarding powers. Some entities were even issuing fake professorships.
Key provisions of the NUC-approved guidelines include:
1. Institutional eligibility — Only approved universities (public or private) may award honorary doctorates.
2. Maturity requirement— Only universities that have graduated their first set of PhD students are eligible.
3. Purpose— Awards must recognise exceptional and sustained contributions, reflect institutional values, and ensure diversity.
4. Criteria— Must be clear, transparent, with balanced representation across gender, race, nationality, and discipline; avoid conflicts of interest. All procedures must be published on the institution’s official website.
5. Recipient eligibility — No self-nominations; serving elected or appointed public officials are excluded.
6. Confidentiality— All processes must be treated with the highest confidentiality; nominees contacted only after Senate and Governing Council approval.
7. Nomination process— Handled by statutory committees.
8. Approval— Requires University Senate and Governing Council approval.
9. Number of awards — Maximum of three per convocation.
10. Nomenclature and title— Must include “Honoris Causa” (e.g., Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa), D.Sc. (h.c.)).
11. Conferment— In-person at convocation ceremonies; virtual or posthumous awards allowed in exceptional cases.
12. No fee — No payment or expectation of payment from recipients.
13. Usage — Recipients may use the full nomenclature (e.g., Doctor of Law (Honoris Causa) or LL.D. (h.c.)) after their names, but are prohibited from using “Dr.” (reserved for earned PhDs and medical professionals). They may not use honorary degrees to practise as scholars, supervise research, or oversee administrative units.
14. Orientation— Awarding institutions must provide written and verbal orientation on proper usage.
15. Publication— Names of recipients must be regularly published on the institution’s official website for transparency.
16. Revocation policy — Institutions must establish formal mechanisms to rescind awards if recipients are convicted of fraud or engage in unethical conduct inconsistent with institutional values.
The NUC stressed full compliance by all eligible institutions and warned of sanctions for violations.
The move is widely seen as a major effort to curb honorary degree mills and restore credibility to academic honours in Nigeria.
