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The Nigerian Government has tightened guidelines on the awarding and use of honorary doctorates and directed strict compliance by universities across the country.
The Ministry of Education’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.
According to Boriowo, the new framework aims to strengthen academic integrity, transparency, and the credibility of Nigeria’s university system.
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
PRESS RELEASE1st June, 2026
FG APPROVES STRICT GUIDELINES ON HONORARY DOCTORATE DEGREES TO RESTORE CREDIBILITY OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES
The Federal Government has approved comprehensive Guidelines for the Award and Use of Honorary Doctorate… pic.twitter.com/bHgAhMRHxk
— Federal Ministry of Education (@NigEducation) June 10, 2026
The development follows an earlier directive issued in May that barred recipients of honorary doctorates from using the title “Dr.”
Boriowo said the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, explained that the policy was introduced to address concerns over the abuse, commercialisation, and misuse of honorary awards.
The guidelines were developed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and approved by the Executive Council.
“The framework sets clear rules on eligibility, nomination, approval, conferment, usage, and revocation of honorary doctorate degrees. It restricts eligibility to approved universities that have graduated their first set of PhD students and limits awards to a maximum of three per convocation,” the statement said.
Under the guidelines, all honorary degrees must bear the designation “Honoris Causa,” while recipients are prohibited from using the title “Dr.”
The framework also establishes oversight mechanisms, including a Special Fraud Unit within the NUC to monitor compliance.
Universities are required to publish the names of honorary degree recipients, provide orientation for awardees, and implement revocation procedures where necessary.
The Nigerian Government further directed strict adherence to the guidelines, warning that violations could result in sanctions, including suspension of accreditation activities and dissolution of governing councils.
