The Federal Government has barred recipients of honorary degrees from using the title “Dr” with their names.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the decision on Wednesday during a media briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He said the directive was approved at a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on April 30.
According to the minister, the move is aimed at stopping the growing misuse of honorary degrees. He said the awards have been widely abused in recent years, often given for political reasons or financial benefits rather than merit.
Alausa also noted that it is against academic ethics to confer honorary degrees on serving public officials, yet such practices have become common. He described the trend as a politicisation of an important academic honour.
He warned that universities that fail to follow the new directive will face sanctions. He added that vice chancellors have been instructed to review the process, and that institutions must now seek approval from the National Universities Commission before awarding honorary degrees.