By Erewunmi Peace

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has warned against the misuse of honorary doctorate degrees, stating that using the title “Dr” without clarification constitutes false representation.

The warning was issued by NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, following an investigation into the award and public misuse of honorary doctorates in Abuja. Ribadu described the trend as a threat to the integrity of Nigeria’s higher education system.

The investigation revealed 32 institutions operating as honorary doctorate degree mills, including:

10 unaccredited foreign universities

4 unlicensed local universities

15 professional bodies with no degree-awarding powers

Other non-degree-awarding institutions

Some of these outfits were also reportedly issuing fake professorships, highlighting widespread non-compliance with the Keffi Declaration of 2012, which regulates honorary doctorate awards in Nigeria.

Prof. Ribadu emphasized that recipients must not use the title “Dr” unless they hold a legitimate PhD or professional doctorate. Instead, designations such as D.Litt (h.c.) or Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) may be used. He stated that misuse of the title undermines public trust, diminishes the value of genuine academic degrees, and disrespects scholars’ hard work.

To restore credibility, NUC has developed national guidelines for awarding and using honorary doctorates, which will soon be published. The commission, in collaboration with law enforcement and other agencies, will begin a nationwide clampdown on degree mills.

Prof. Kabiru Bala, Chairman of the investigative committee, said the committee reviewed petitions from citizens and stakeholders, analyzed public documents, and examined practices in 27 universities. Their findings revealed that while some Nigerian universities adhere to international and national standards, others confer awards on serving public officials, sometimes allegedly for financial inducements.