The Federal Government has moved to curb what it describes as the growing abuse of honorary academic titles, approving a new policy that prohibits recipients of honorary degrees from using the “Dr” designation.
The decision, ratified by the Federal Executive Council, introduces a stricter regulatory framework to guide how tertiary institutions confer honorary awards. The policy also outlines penalties for institutions and individuals who fail to comply.
Speaking in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the reform was prompted by mounting concerns over the increasing politicisation and misuse of honorary doctorates. 
According to him, the new guidelines are designed to protect the credibility of Nigeria’s academic system and ensure that honorary recognitions do not undermine earned qualifications. He added that the move is part of broader efforts to restore public trust in university awards and uphold academic standards.
Under the new framework, institutions are expected to exercise greater scrutiny in the selection of honorary awardees, while recipients are required to clearly distinguish honorary titles from earned academic credentials.
