NUC Releases New Guidelines on Award of Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Nigerian Universities (REAR DETAILS)

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has introduced a comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and academic integrity in the award of honorary doctorate degrees by universities across Nigeria.

According to the commission, an honorary doctorate is a non-earned academic distinction awarded honoris causa—a Latin phrase meaning “for the sake of honour.” Such awards are given to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional merit through public service, scholarly influence, creative achievements or other contributions that align with the values and mission of the awarding institution.

The NUC explained that while Nigerian universities have statutory powers to confer honorary degrees, the process must comply with national regulations and accepted academic standards guiding higher education in the country.

The commission cited the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, Chapter E3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which empowers it to set minimum standards for universities and regulate the accreditation of degrees and other academic awards.

In drafting the guidelines, the commission said it took into consideration established academic traditions in Nigeria, including resolutions of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities as articulated in the Keffi Declaration of 2012. Contributions and feedback from Nigerian universities submitted in December 2025 were also incorporated into the final document.

Key Provisions of the Guidelines

Under the new framework, only approved universities—whether public or private—are eligible to award honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria. In addition, such institutions must have graduated at least one set of PhD students before they can confer honorary doctorate degrees.

The NUC emphasized that the award should strictly be used to recognize exceptional and sustained contributions to society, while reflecting institutional values and ensuring diversity in recognition.

The criteria for selecting recipients must be clear, transparent and inclusive, with balanced representation across gender, nationality, discipline and other relevant considerations.

To prevent abuse of the system, the commission stated that self-nominated individuals, candidates seeking elective positions, and serving public office holders are excluded from consideration.

Approval and Selection Process

All nominations must be processed through a statutory university committee and subsequently approved by both the University Senate and Governing Council.

Universities are also required to publish their procedures for selecting and awarding honorary degrees on their official websites to ensure transparency and public accessibility.

The NUC further stipulated that no more than three honorary doctorate degrees may be awarded at a single convocation ceremony.

Mode of Conferment and Usage

The guidelines state that honorary doctorate degrees must clearly indicate the “Honoris Causa” designation in their titles. Examples include Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa), DSc, Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa), LLD, and Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa), DLitt.

Recipients are expected to be physically present at the award ceremony, although in exceptional cases the conferment may be done virtually, in absentia, or posthumously.

The NUC also stressed that honorary doctorate degrees must be awarded free of charge, with no financial expectations from recipients.

However, holders of honorary doctorate degrees are not permitted to use the title “Dr.”, which is reserved for individuals who have earned doctoral degrees or medical qualifications. They are also prohibited from using the honorary title to practice as scholars or professionals, supervise research, or oversee academic or administrative units.

Transparency and Accountability Measures

Universities awarding honorary degrees must provide both written and verbal orientation to recipients on the appropriate use of the award.

They are also required to regularly publish the names of honorary doctorate recipients on their official websites to enhance transparency.

Furthermore, institutions must establish formal mechanisms to withdraw honorary degrees if a recipient is later convicted of fraud or found to have engaged in unethical conduct that contradicts the values of the awarding institution.

The NUC said the new guidelines are part of efforts to protect the credibility of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria and ensure they remain a respected recognition of genuine contributions to society and national development.