The National Universities Commission (NUC) has rolled out stricter regulations governing the conferment of honorary degrees, including a prohibition on recipients adopting the “Dr.” title.

According to the Commission, the move is designed to address the growing misuse and excessive distribution of honorary awards, which it says has diminished the credibility of legitimate academic achievements. Under the revised policy, only universities that have successfully produced their first batch of PhD graduates will be permitted to award honorary degrees, thereby excluding newer institutions.

The NUC made it clear that beneficiaries of honorary degrees are not allowed to prefix their names with “Dr.” Instead, they are to adopt appropriate post-nominal designations such as Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa), abbreviated as D.Sc (H.C). It stressed that the “Dr.” title is strictly reserved for individuals who have earned doctoral qualifications or are licensed medical professionals.

In addition, the Commission has outlawed any form of monetary influence in the conferment process, insisting that honorary awards must be granted strictly on merit and at no cost to recipients.

To maintain control and credibility, universities are now restricted to awarding no more than three honorary degrees per convocation ceremony. The guidelines also disqualify self-nominated individuals and serving public office holders—whether elected or appointed—from receiving such honours.

As part of efforts to enhance transparency, institutions are required to publicly disclose the names of awardees on their official websites and put in place mechanisms for withdrawing honours from recipients found guilty of misconduct.

The Commission further clarified that honorary degrees do not grant any academic or professional rights, such as practising regulated professions, supervising academic research, or occupying administrative roles within universities.

It warned that institutions that violate these regulations risk facing sanctions.

The NUC noted that the new measures form part of wider reforms aimed at safeguarding the integrity and international standing of Nigeria’s university system, emphasizing that academic honours must be rooted in merit, prestige, and excellence.