NUC Implements Guidelines to Regulate Honorary Doctorates

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has introduced a new 16-point guideline aimed at regulating the awarding of honorary doctorates in Nigeria. This initiative addresses long-standing concerns regarding the misuse of honorary degrees, which have blurred the lines between genuine academic recognition and transactions for titles.

The NUC's recent statement highlights the need for transparency in the selection process for recipients and prohibits self-nomination. Recipients are also barred from using the title "Dr." unless earned through rigorous academic work.

The commission's actions come in response to past investigations revealing the presence of unaccredited institutions issuing fraudulent degrees, which undermines public trust in academic qualifications. The NUC emphasizes that honorary degrees should be reserved for individuals whose lifetime contributions genuinely reflect the values of the universities.

The commission warns that sanctions will be imposed on institutions that violate these new guidelines, marking a significant step towards restoring the dignity of academic practices in Nigeria.