By The Federal Government has approved sweeping reforms aimed at regulating the award and use of honorary degrees in Nigerian universities, in a bid to restore credibility and integrity to the nation’s higher education system. The new policy was announced after the Federal Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday, in Press Statement dated May 7, 2026.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Maruf Tunji Alausa said the reforms were designed to stop the growing abuse, politicisation, and commercialisation of honorary academic titles across the country. He described the development as a decisive intervention to protect the sanctity of academic honours.
Under the new framework, honorary degrees must now be formally identified as honoris causa and cannot be presented or used as earned academic qualifications. The government also directed that recipients of honorary awards must not use the title “Dr” in official, professional, or academic settings solely because of such honours. Authorities warned that any violation of the directive would be treated as academic fraud.
The policy further stated that honorary degrees would no longer qualify recipients for academic positions, professional certifications, or participation in regulated professional practice. In addition, only four recognised categories of honorary degrees will be permitted, while universities without established doctoral programmes will no longer be allowed to confer such awards.
To ensure compliance, the National Universities Commission has been mandated to supervise implementation of the policy nationwide. The commission will also publish an annual verified register containing the names of legitimate honorary degree recipients as part of measures to promote transparency and accountability in the university system.
