FG Bans Honorary Degree Holders From Using ‘Dr’ Title in Crackdown on Abuse of Academic Awards

The Federal Government has introduced a new rule stripping honorary degree holders of the right to use the title “Dr” in official, academic, or professional settings, in a move aimed at restoring credibility to Nigeria’s academic awards system.

The directive was announced on Wednesday by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, during a briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after a Federal Executive Council meeting.

Alausa said the decision follows growing concerns that honorary degrees are increasingly being misused for status, political advantage, and personal gain rather than academic recognition.

He warned that the practice has drifted far from its original intent, with some recipients allegedly using the awards as tools for influence or public validation.

“The recent trend we’ve seen with the award of honorary degrees has revealed a growing abuse and politicisation of this academic privilege,” he said.

He further explained that honorary degrees have, in some cases, been awarded to serving public officials in ways that contradict established academic ethics and standards.

According to him, the government can no longer allow the misuse of such titles to undermine genuine academic achievement.

Under the new policy, individuals who receive honorary degrees will no longer be permitted to place “Dr” before their names in any formal capacity.

Instead, they are expected to clearly indicate the honorary nature of the award by stating the full designation after their names.

The government says the move is part of broader efforts to protect academic integrity and prevent the erosion of trust in Nigeria’s higher education system.

The policy is expected to apply across public and private engagements, including official documents, professional introductions, and institutional communications.

Authorities say further guidelines will be issued to universities and awarding bodies to ensure strict compliance with the new directive.