The National Universities Commission (NUC) has issued new guidelines regulating the award of honorary degrees in Nigerian universities, banning recipients from using the “Dr.” title.

The commission said the move aims at curbing what it described as the indiscriminate conferment of honorary awards and preserving the integrity of academic distinctions.

Under the new rules, only universities that have graduated their first set of PhD students are eligible to confer honorary degrees.

The NUC stressed that recipients of honorary degrees must not prefix their names with “Dr.” but instead use appropriate designations after their names, such as Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) – D.Sc (H.C). It added that the “Dr.” title remains strictly reserved for individuals who have earned academic doctorates or are qualified medical professionals.

The guidelines also prohibit any form of payment or expectation of financial contribution from recipients, insisting that honorary degrees must be awarded strictly on merit and free of charge.

To further regulate the process, universities are now limited to a maximum of three honorary degrees per convocation ceremony.

The commission also excluded self-nominated individuals and serving elected or appointed public officials from receiving such awards.

As part of transparency measures, universities are required to publish the names of all honorary degree recipients on their official websites and establish a revocation policy to withdraw awards from individuals found guilty of fraud or unethical conduct.

The NUC clarified that honorary degrees do not confer professional privileges, including the right to practise in regulated fields, supervise academic research, or hold administrative positions within universities.

Reiterating its stance, the commission warned that compliance with the guidelines is mandatory, noting that institutions that violate the rules risk facing regulatory sanctions.

The NUC added that the measures are part of ongoing efforts to safeguard the credibility and global reputation of Nigeria’s university system.