FG Bans 'Dr.' Title for Honorary Degree Recipients

On Wednesday, the Federal Government of Nigeria announced a ban on recipients of honorary degrees from using the prefix "Dr." to prevent misrepresentation of academic credentials. Dr.

Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, disclosed this policy during a briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The decision, approved by the Federal Executive Council under President Bola Tinubu, aims to address the growing abuse of honorary degrees, often conferred for political patronage or financial gain.

The new policy stipulates that recipients must cite the full honorary designation without using "Dr." to avoid misrepresentation, which could be considered academic fraud subject to legal consequences. The policy restricts the types of honorary degrees that can be conferred by Nigerian universities and mandates that only institutions with active PhD programs can award such degrees.

The National Universities Commission will publish a list of legitimate honorary degree recipients to ensure compliance and maintain academic integrity.