The National Universities Commission (NUC) has released new guidelines to regulate the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria.

The Commission said the decision followed growing concerns over the careless granting and misuse of such honours in the country’s university system.

In a notice shared on its official X page on Thursday, 26th February, 2026, the NUC explained that the rules were approved under the Education Act and its mandate to supervise university education.

Part of the notice stated that the Commission was worried about the rising cases of unregulated honorary awards and had therefore approved clear guidelines to address the problem.

According to the NUC, the new framework is meant to protect academic standards, promote integrity, and preserve the credibility of Nigerian universities at home and abroad.

All universities and degree awarding institutions have been directed to follow the rules strictly. The Commission also warned that penalties would be applied to any institution or individual that violates the guidelines.

The NUC reminded the public that honorary doctorate degrees are marks of honour and are not the same as academic PhD or medical qualifications.

It described such awards as non-earned degrees given to recognise outstanding service, leadership, scholarship, creativity, or major contributions that reflect the values of the awarding institution.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, said the guidelines were prepared in line with accepted academic practices in Nigeria and resolutions of the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.

He explained that the framework was designed to guide institutions, improve transparency, and ensure proper conduct in the award of honorary degrees.

The NUC said it introduced the guidelines after an investigation uncovered widespread abuse of honorary titles. The probe, which covered 61 institutions and professional bodies, found that 32 organisations were operating as illegal degree mills.

Some of these bodies were linked to unaccredited foreign schools, unlicensed local institutions, and groups without authority to award degrees. The Commission also discovered cases of fake professorship titles.

The NUC warned that holders of honorary doctorates must not use the title “Dr,” which is reserved for those with earned PhDs or medical degrees. It added that such awards cannot be used to supervise research, teach as scholars, or manage academic units.

Key Guidelines Issued by the NUC

Below are the main rules approved by the Commission:

  • Eligible institutions: Only approved public and private universities can award honorary doctorates.

  • Maturity rule: Only universities that have produced PhD graduates are qualified to give the award.

  • Purpose: The award must recognise long term and exceptional contributions that reflect university values.

  • Selection process: Criteria must be clear, transparent, and publicly available on the institution’s website.

  • Who cannot qualify: Self-nominees and serving public office holders are excluded.

  • Confidentiality: Nominations must remain private until approved by the Senate and Governing Council.

  • Nomination channel: All nominations must pass through the statutory committee.

  • Approval: Final clearance must come from the Senate and Governing Council.

  • Number of awards: Not more than three recipients per convocation.

  • Official title: All awards must carry “Honoris Causa,” such as D.Sc. (h.c.).

  • Mode of conferment: Awards should be given in person, except in special cases.

  • No payment: Recipients must not pay any fee for the award.

  • Use of title: Recipients may use approved honorary titles, but must not use “Dr.”

  • Orientation: Universities must guide recipients on proper usage.

  • Publication: Names of recipients must be published on official websites.

  • Withdrawal: Institutions must have systems to withdraw awards from those found guilty of misconduct.

The Commission said the guidelines reflect national academic resolutions and are meant to restore confidence in honorary awards.

Ribadu added that all eligible universities must comply fully with the framework, stressing that sanctions would apply to defaulters.