Federal Government don ban people wey collect honorary degree make dem no dey use “Dr” for front of their name again, say the practice na wrong representation of academic qualification and from now on, dem go treat am as academic fraud.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announce the directive after Federal Executive Council approve am. E talk say the move go bring one standard to stop abuse and bring back respect for academic titles.
Inside this new policy, anybody wey get honorary degree no go put “Dr” before their name for any official, academic or professional setting.
Instead, dem go write the title for back of their name, like “D.Lit. (Honoris Causa)” or “LL.D. Hons.”
Government talk say this decision dey try fix the many many years wey dem dey award honorary degrees, wey be say dem dey give am based on political favour and money, even to people wey still dey hold public office.
Universities now don get only four types of honorary degrees — LL.D, D.Lit, D.Sc, and D.Arts — and na only schools wey get active PhD programmes go fit award them.
All awards must clearly show say na “honorary” or “Honoris Causa.”
Ministry of Education and National Universities Commission talk say dem go release proper guidelines and monitor how schools dey follow the rule, including during convocation ceremonies.
Dem go also dey release list every year of people wey dey really receive the awards.
This policy now get legal backing, come replace previous ones wey no too strong, and e go help strengthen standards and protect the value of real academic qualifications for Nigeria.
