The National Universities Commission (NUC) has inaugurated a five-member committee to examine how honorary doctorates are conferred by Nigerian universities, amid rising concerns about the misuse of the title “Dr.” by recipients.
The committee, inaugurated on September 1, 2025, by the NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu (FCVSN), will be chaired by Prof. Kabiru Bala, former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University and currently a Visiting Professor at the Commission. Other members are drawn from academia and the university regulatory system.
According to the NUC, the panel is mandated to review the processes that govern the award of honorary degrees, assess the implications of recipients using the academic title “Dr.,” and recommend new guidelines to ensure transparency and accountability.
In recent years, the practice of awarding honorary doctorates has sparked debate in Nigeria’s higher education sector. While the degrees are traditionally conferred on individuals who have made exceptional contributions to society, questions have been raised about instances where the awards appear to have been influenced by politics, patronage, or financial inducement.
Critics argue that some recipients have gone beyond the ceremonial intent of the award by adopting the title “Dr.” in professional and public settings, creating confusion about their academic qualifications. This, stakeholders say, undermines the integrity of genuine doctoral research and erodes public confidence in Nigerian universities.
Inaugurating the committee, Prof. Ribadu said the exercise was necessary to “protect the credibility of Nigeria’s higher education system” and ensure that universities maintain globally accepted standards. He stressed that while honorary degrees remain a way for universities to recognize excellence and service, their misuse risks diminishing the value of legitimate academic achievements.
“The Commission is committed to upholding the integrity of our institutions. This review will help establish clear guidelines that distinguish honorary awards from earned doctorates, while ensuring respect for tradition and recognition of merit,” he said.
The committee is expected to submit recommendations on how universities should structure the process of selecting honourees, the limits of title usage by awardees, and sanctions where misuse is established. The NUC noted that its goal is not to diminish the value of honorary degrees but to safeguard academic integrity and restore public trust.
Observers see the move as part of a broader effort by the Commission to reform Nigeria’s university system, which has faced scrutiny over governance, quality assurance, and international reputation.
