Just in :Crackdown on Honorary Titles as FG Introduces New Rules for Universit

The Federal Government has prohibited recipients of honorary degrees from attaching the title “Dr” to their names.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, made this known during a media briefing held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.

He explained that the decision was reached at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on April 30.
According to Alausa, the move is aimed at curbing the long-standing abuse associated with the indiscriminate award of honorary degrees, often linked to political patronage and financial incentives.
“The recent trend we’ve seen with the award of honorary degrees has revealed a growing abuse and politicisation of this academic privilege. We’ve seen awards being used for political patronage, for financial gain, as well as the conferral of awards on serving public officials, which, as part of the ethics of honorary degree awards, should not happen,” he said.
He added that any university found violating the FEC directive would face sanctions, noting that Vice Chancellors have been instructed to standardise the process.
Going forward, Alausa stated that universities must obtain approval from the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) before conferring honorary degrees. (Daily Trust)