FG honorary degree Dr title ban as Federal Government stops recipients from using “Dr” title and introduces stricter rules for awarding honorary degrees

The Federal Government has prohibited recipients of honorary degrees from using the title “Dr” before their names, in a new policy aimed at restoring academic integrity and curbing abuse in the award of such honours.

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FG has ban the honorary degree Dr title which was announced on Wednesday in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, during a media briefing at the Presidential Villa.

Alausa said the decision was reached at the Federal Executive Council meeting held on April 30, noting that the move was necessary to address the growing misuse and politicisation of honorary academic awards.

The degrees had increasingly been used for political patronage and financial inducement, adding that some serving public officials had also been beneficiaries, contrary to established academic ethics.

According to him, universities found violating the directive will face sanctions, while Vice Chancellors have been instructed to tighten internal processes governing the conferment of such awards.

The minister further stated that institutions will now be required to obtain approval from the National Universities Commission before awarding honorary degrees.

He stressed that the reform is part of broader efforts to safeguard the credibility of Nigeria’s higher education system and ensure that academic honours retain their true value.

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The new directive marks a significant shift in government policy, aimed at reinforcing standards and restoring public confidence in academic recognitions.