NUC issues 16 guidelines to regulate honorary doctorate degrees

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has introduced 16 new guidelines to regulate the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria. These measures aim to curb abuse and preserve academic integrity within the Nigerian University System. Key requirements include limiting awards to approved universities that have graduated PhD students, with a maximum of three per convocation. Awards must recognize exceptional contributions, maintain transparency through public disclosure on institutional websites, and prohibit recipients from using the "Dr." prefix or assuming academic roles. The guidelines also mandate in-person ceremonies and prohibit fees for recipients. Violations may result in sanctions against institutions and individuals. The NUC established a committee in September 2025 after identifying 32 institutions operating as "degree mills," including foreign agricultural universities and unlicensed local entities conferring fake professorships.

SOURCE: https://nairametrics.com/2026/02/27/nuc-releases-16-guidelines-on-honorary-doctorates-issuance/