FG Introduces Tough Rules on Honorary Degrees, Warns Against Fake Titles

The Federal Government has introduced stricter regulations for the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria, warning that individuals who falsely claim such titles could face prosecution.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, while briefing State House correspondents after the latest Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.

According to the minister, the new policy was approved by the council as part of efforts to restore credibility and discipline within Nigeria’s higher education system.

Alausa expressed concern over the growing abuse and commercialisation of honorary degrees by some tertiary institutions, noting that previous attempts to regulate the practice had failed due to weak enforcement and lack of legal backing.

Under the new framework, only universities accredited to offer PhD programmes will be permitted to confer honorary doctorate degrees.

“Any university that is not offering PhDs cannot award honorary doctorate degrees. Doing so will amount to a violation of the law, and there will be consequences, including sanctions against the vice chancellor,” he said.

The minister also disclosed that universities must now obtain clearance from the National Universities Commission before awarding honorary degrees to any individual.

According to him, the NUC will screen and verify all proposed recipients to ensure that only deserving persons receive such honours, ending what the government described as indiscriminate conferment of academic titles.

Alausa warned that individuals who falsely parade unverified honorary degrees risk prosecution, adding that government agencies would verify all claims directly with the awarding institutions.

“If any individual claims an honorary degree that was not duly awarded, such a person can be prosecuted. We are determined to restore integrity to the system,” he stated.

The minister explained that the reforms officially took effect on April 20 following approval by the Federal Executive Council.

While acknowledging that informal use of titles in social settings may be difficult to regulate, he stressed that the government would enforce strict compliance in official communications and formal engagements.

In a related development, Alausa also announced the approval of a National Research and Innovation Development Fund aimed at strengthening collaboration between research institutions, universities, and industries.

According to him, the initiative is expected to generate about $500 million annually to support innovation, research, and technological advancement across the country.