The National Universities Commission (NUC) has cautioned against the widespread misuse of honorary doctorate degrees, noting that a ‘Dr’ degree without clarification amounts to false representation.

The NUC executive secretary, Abdullahi Ribadu, disclosed that he received the report of the investigation into awards and public misuse of the honorary doctorate degree by recipients in Abuja on Friday.

Mr Ribadu described the trend as a threat to the integrity of the nation’s higher education system.

He said the report uncovered 32 institutions operating as honorary doctorate degree mills across the country.

These, he said, include 10 unaccredited foreign universities, four unlicensed local universities, 15 professional bodies without degree-awarding powers, and other non-degree-awarding institutions.

He noted that the figure “may not be exhaustive,” adding that some of the outfits were also engaged in awarding fake professorships.

“The findings are deeply concerning. This is especially so because many institutions do not comply with the Keffi Declaration of 2012.

“This is the policy agreed upon by the vice-chancellors of Nigerian universities to regulate the award of honorary doctorate degrees.

“It prohibits the award of honorary degrees to serving public officials and cautions recipients against using the title ‘Dr’ without proper disclosure. This is not just a matter of ethics; it is a matter of law,” he said.

He emphasised that such misuse undermined public trust, diminished the value of genuine academic degrees, and disrespected the hard work of scholars.

Reiterating the legal framework guiding honorary recognitions, he stated that only approved public or private universities were permitted to confer honorary doctorate degrees, as empowered under the National Minimum Standards and Establishment Institutions Act.

He said recipients may use designations such as D.Litt. (h.c.) or Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) after their names but must not use the title ‘Dr.’, which is reserved for PhD holders and qualified medical and professional doctorate practitioners.

To restore credibility to the system, Mr Ribadu announced that the commission had developed comprehensive national guidelines for the awarding and use of honorary doctorate degrees.

He said the guidelines would be made public soon.

Mr Ribadu confirmed that the commission, in collaboration with law enforcement and other government agencies, would commence a nationwide clampdown on honorary degree mills.

Earlier, the chairman of the committee, Kabiru Bala, said the committee was inaugurated on September 1 after its appointment on August 28.

Mr Bala, also the former vice-chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said the committee was tasked with probing growing petitions from citizens and stakeholders concerned about the “widespread award, use, and misuse” of honorary doctorates by recipients.

According to him, many honorees had allegedly used the titles to claim unearned academic status, attract undue prestige, or secure personal advantages, thereby undermining the integrity of Nigeria’s university system.

He explained that the investigation involved case studies, content analysis of public documents, and memoranda from 27 universities.

Mr Ribadu said the international guidelines from regulatory bodies and universities in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, Europe, Africa, and Asia were also reviewed.

He said the committee found that while some Nigerian universities adhere to the 2022 Keffi Declaration, compliance remained inconsistent.

The NUC boss said the report revealed significant deviations, including universities conferring awards on individuals currently in office, sometimes allegedly in exchange for financial inducements.

(NAN)