FG bans universities without PhDs from awarding honorary degrees

Education Minister Tunji Alausa announces uniform policy on honorary degrees approved at FEC meeting, effective April 20. Policy aims to check abuse and politicization, especially by serving public officials. Universities must now offer PhD programs to award honorary doctorates—a violation previously lacking legal consequences. All institutions must obtain National Universities Commission clearance before conferring honorary degrees, with NUC vetting all recipients to end indiscriminate awards. Individuals falsely claiming honorary degrees face prosecution as government agencies will verify claims directly with awarding institutions. While informal usage may continue, official communications and formal engagements will strictly enforce compliance. Also approved: National Research and Innovation Development Fund targeting $500M annually for research collaboration. Will this policy restore integrity to academic titles, or should honorary degrees be eliminated entirely?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/05/06/fg-approves-policy-to-curb-misuse-of-honorary-degrees/