The National Universities Commission (NUC) has revealed a disturbing network of 32 institutions operating illegal and unethical honorary degree schemes, prompting a nationwide alarm over the integrity of Nigeria’s academic system. The Commission has vowed decisive sanctions and is now pushing for a new legal framework to criminalise the growing abuse of honorary doctorate awards.

The discovery includes 10 foreign institutions, four unlicensed local universities, 15 professional bodies with no degree-awarding mandate, and three other organisations illegally conferring academic titles. The crackdown was announced by the NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, during a media briefing in Abuja.

 A Disturbing Rise in Fake Honorary Degree Mills

Prof. Ribadu expressed deep concern over the rampant exploitation of honorary degrees, describing it as a threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s higher education system. The revelation followed the submission of a comprehensive report by a special committee investigating the abuse and public misuse of honorary doctorate degrees.

The report, which documented widespread malpractice, confirmed that the violations cut across federal, state and private universities, with many institutions disregarding the Keffi Declaration of 2022 a policy framework created by Nigerian Vice Chancellors to regulate honorary degree awards.

A key clause of the declaration prohibits:

• Awarding honorary doctorates to serving public officials
  
• Self-nomination for honorary degrees
  
• The use of such awards to pursue academic privileges
  

Ribadu noted that some institutions have upheld these standards. He referenced former President Goodluck Jonathan’s honorary award from Nile University as an example of compliance, since the former leader is no longer in public office.

 NUC Seeks New Law to Criminalise Abuse

To curb the growing menace, the NUC will engage the National Assembly to establish a legal structure that makes the improper award, purchase, or misuse of honorary doctorates a punishable offence.

The Commission also warned individuals who parade themselves as “Dr.” after receiving honorary degrees. According to Ribadu, such titles are not meant for everyday use and must be written strictly with the suffix “honoris causa.”

He stressed that misrepresenting oneself as a medical or academic doctor without proper qualification is an act of fraud and punishable under Nigerian law.

 Unaccredited Universities and Fake Professorships

Ribadu condemned the rising number of unaccredited institutions both local and foreign operating as degree mills, issuing fake doctorates and even fraudulent professorship titles. Some of these bodies, he noted, have become popular among individuals seeking social status rather than academic merit.

The NUC clarified that:

• Only government-approved universities can award honorary doctorates
  
• Honorary degrees cannot qualify anyone to teach, supervise research, or occupy academic posts
  
• Honorary recipients must uphold academic integrity and avoid misleading the public
  

He revealed that the Commission has developed a new national guideline for awarding and using honorary degrees, which will soon be released to the public.

 Nationwide Clampdown Begins

The NUC will work closely with law enforcement agencies to dismantle illegal degree mills operating across the country. Ribadu urged the public, media, and government organisations to collaborate with the Commission to protect Nigeria’s academic reputation.

 Investigative Committee Confirms Widespread Abuse

Presenting the committee’s findings, Chairman Prof. Kabiru Bala highlighted the extensive review process, which included:

• Case-study analysis
  
• Public document review
  
• Memoranda from 27 Nigerian universities
  
• Assessment of international guidelines from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia
  

The committee concluded that despite the Keffi Declaration, compliance remains weak. Some universities continue to grant honorary doctorates indiscriminately, undermining academic dignity, merit, and global best practices.

Prof. Bala warned that unless firmer regulations take effect, the misuse of honorary degrees will continue to erode the public’s trust in Nigeria’s academic system.

The committee recommended:

• Strict enforcement of uniform national standards
  
• Monitoring the public use of honorary titles
  
• Collaboration with security agencies to eradicate degree mills
  
• Transparent, merit-based honorary awards