FG Moves Against Fake Titles, Warns Honorary ‘Dr’ Usage Is Fraudulent
By Wellington Jopelo
Nigeria’s higher education regulator has tightened the rules around honorary degrees, declaring that recipients can no longer use the “Dr” title, as authorities move to curb widespread abuse.
The directive, enforced through the National Universities Commission, makes it clear that honorary awards do not carry the same weight as earned academic qualifications and must not be presented as such.
Officials said the decision followed growing concerns that many individuals have been misleading the public by adopting the “Dr” prefix despite not completing formal doctoral studies.
The commission warned that such misrepresentation could amount to fraud, stressing that the title is strictly reserved for those who have earned PhDs or are certified medical professionals.
Under the new rules, honorary degree holders are instead expected to use proper designations such as “Honoris Causa” after their names, rather than placing “Dr” before them.
Authorities also raised alarm over the rise of unaccredited institutions and organisations allegedly selling honorary degrees, describing them as “degree mills” that undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s education system.
The government noted that some of these entities go as far as issuing fake professorship titles, further blurring the line between genuine academic achievement and purchased recognition.
To restore integrity, only accredited universities that meet strict requirements are now allowed to confer honorary degrees, with limits placed on how many can be awarded at a time.
The crackdown is also expected to include sanctions against institutions and individuals found violating the new guidelines, as regulators push for transparency and accountability.
Education stakeholders say the move is a major step toward protecting the value of legitimate academic qualifications and restoring public confidence in the system.
As enforcement begins, attention is now shifting to how effectively authorities will tackle offenders and ensure that honorary titles are no longer misused across the country.