The National Universities Commission (NUC) has issued fresh guidelines regulating the award and use of honorary doctorates in Nigeria.

In a public notice released on its official X page, the Commission said the guidelines were approved pursuant to its powers under the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, CAP E3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The NUC expressed displeasure over what it described as the increasing incidence of indiscriminate conferment and misuse of such honours within the Nigerian university system.

“The National Universities Commission (NUC), by virtue of the provisions of the Education Act (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions), CAP E3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and in the discharge of its statutory responsibility to ensure the orderly development of university education in Nigeria, hereby issues this Public Notice,” the notice released on Thursday read.

“The Commission has observed, with grave concern, the increasing incidence of indiscriminate conferment and misuse of Honorary Doctorate Degrees within the Nigerian University System.

“In response to this development, the Management of the Commission has approved comprehensive Guidelines for the Award and Use of Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Nigeria,” it added.

The regulatory body stated that the new framework was designed to regulate the conferment process, preserve academic integrity, and safeguard the credibility and global reputation of the Nigerian university system.

While directing all Nigerian universities and other degree-awarding institutions to adhere strictly to the provisions, NUC warned that appropriate regulatory sanctions would be imposed on institutions and individuals found to have violated the approved guidelines.

The Commission also reminded the public that honorary doctorate degrees, whether awarded within Nigeria or abroad, are honorary distinctions and should not be regarded as equivalent to earned academic doctorate qualifications.