NUC Releases Fresh Guidelines on Award, Use of Honorary Doctorate Degrees, Warns Against Abuse

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has released new guidelines regulating the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria, citing widespread abuse and indiscriminate conferment of such honours.
The Commission said the framework, approved under the Education Act (CAP E3, 2004), aims to preserve academic integrity and protect the credibility of the Nigerian University System.

It warned that sanctions would be imposed on institutions and individuals who violate the rules.
An investigation by the NUC found that 32 out of 61 reviewed institutions and professional bodies were operating as honorary degree mills, including unaccredited foreign universities and unlicensed local institutions. Some were also issuing fake professorships.
Under the new guidelines:
Only approved universities that have graduated at least one set of PhD students can award honorary doctorates.
Awards must recognize exceptional and sustained contributions and reflect institutional values.
Serving public officials and self-nominated candidates are excluded.
No more than three honorary degrees may be awarded per convocation.
Awards must carry the designation “Honoris Causa” and be conferred without any fee.
Recipients may use the honorary title (e.g., LL.D. (h.c.)) but cannot use “Dr.” or present the award as an earned doctorate.
Honorary degrees cannot be used to practice as scholars, supervise research, or hold academic administrative positions.
Universities must publish recipients’ names and establish mechanisms to revoke awards if necessary.
NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, said the guidelines align with the 2012 Keffi Declaration and were developed to promote transparency, accountability, and proper institutional practices in awarding honorary doctorates.