* Appeals to media to discourage improper attribution of academic titles
By Ola Kay
Following the approval of a new policy by the federal government prohibiting recipients of honorary degrees from using the “Dr” title, (as a result of abuse in the society), the federal executive council (FEC) has come up with a new regulatory framework to guide the award and use of honorary degrees by tertiary institutions, with sanctions for defaulters.
The minister of education, Dr. Tunji Alausa stated in Abuja on Wednesday, that the policy became necessary based on concerns over the increasing misuse and politicization of honorary doctorates.
Alausa noted that government’s decision was informed by the need to protect academic integrity and restore public confidence in university awards, because of the prevalent abuse and commercialisation of honorary degrees in the country.
He said that henceforward the federal ministry of education, through the National Universities Commission (NUC) would issue guidelines, monitor convocation ceremonies, and publish annual list of legitimate honorary degree recipients.
He stated that, “We will collaborate with the media to discourage the improper attribution of academic titles to people who were awarded honorary degrees.”
Alausa also expressed concern over a situation whereby universities confer honorary doctorates on individuals indiscriminately, including serving public officials, while some recipients go on to adopt the title “Doctor” in official and public use.
“Recipients are expected to acknowledge the degree as an award or recognition and not as a formal academic qualification,” he stressed.
According to him, misrepresentation of honorary degrees as academic credentials would now be regarded nothing as academic fraud, with legal and reputational consequences.
He noted particularly that only universities with established PhD-awarding curricula would be authorized to award honorary degrees, describing the practice of newer institutions with no doctoral programmes conferring such awards as a “misnomer.”
The minister emphasized that the new policy will bolster the Keffi Declaration developed by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities to put an end to abuse and denigration of honorary degrees.
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