- The Federal Government banned honorary degree holders from using the ‘Dr’ title
- Education Minister Tunji Alausa announced the directive after a Federal Executive Council meeting
- Authorities cited abuse, politicisation and unethical award practices as reasons for the decision
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a ban on the use of the prefix ‘Dr’ by individuals who hold honorary degrees, restricting its use in all official, academic and professional settings.
The directive was disclosed on Wednesday by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, during a briefing with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja following a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.
According to the minister, the decision was prompted by growing concerns over the misuse and politicisation of honorary degrees across the country. He noted that what was once considered a prestigious academic honour had increasingly been exploited for purposes unrelated to scholarship or intellectual contribution.
“The recent trend we’ve seen with the award of honorary degrees has revealed a growing abuse and politicisation of this academic privilege,” Alausa stated. “We’ve seen awards being used for political patronage, for financial gain, as well as the conferral of awards on serving public officials, which, as part of the ethics of honorary degree awards, should not happen.”
Under the new policy, recipients of honorary doctorates will no longer be allowed to prefix their names with the title ‘Dr’. Instead, they are required to clearly state the honorary nature of their award by appending the full designation after their names, ensuring transparency and preserving the integrity of academic titles.
Education experts have welcomed the move, arguing that it will help restore credibility to Nigeria’s academic system and distinguish between earned doctoral qualifications and honorary recognitions. Critics of the previous practice had long argued that the unchecked use of the ‘Dr’ title by honorary recipients blurred professional standards and undermined the value of rigorous academic achievement.
The directive is expected to take immediate effect, with institutions and professional bodies urged to enforce compliance. Observers say the policy could also prompt a broader review of how honorary degrees are awarded in Nigeria, particularly in relation to ethical standards and eligibility criteria.