NUC Issues New Guidelines to Regulate Honorary Doctorates

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has expressed concern over the increasing misuse of honorary doctorates in Nigerian universities and has issued a fresh set of guidelines to regulate their award. The 16-point guidelines aim to uphold academic integrity and preserve the credibility of the university system in Nigeria.

Key provisions include limiting the number of honorary doctorates awarded to a maximum of three per convocation ceremony and ensuring that the selection process is transparent and publicly available on institutional websites. The guidelines also stipulate that honorary degrees should not be equated with earned academic doctorates and prohibit the use of the title "Dr." for recipients who have not earned an academic degree.

Additionally, the NUC has mandated that universities establish mechanisms to revoke honorary degrees if recipients engage in fraudulent conduct. These measures are designed to protect the integrity of academic institutions and ensure that honorary awards are conferred based on substantial societal contributions.