FG Bans Honorary Degree Holders from Using “Dr” Title

The Federal Government has formally banned recipients of honorary degrees from using the “Dr” title in Nigeria, declaring such usage a misrepresentation of academic qualifications and warning of legal consequences for violators.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the directive on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while briefing State House correspondents on decisions approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). He spoke alongside Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad.

According to Alausa, the new policy—approved by FEC—establishes a uniform framework regulating the award and use of honorary degrees across Nigerian universities, as part of efforts to restore credibility and integrity to the country’s academic system.

He stated unequivocally that honorary degree recipients must not prefix “Dr” to their names in official, academic, or professional settings.

“Recipients shall not prefix doctor to their names in official usage. Misrepresentation of honorary degrees as earned academic credentials shall be considered academic fraud and subject to legal and reputational consequences,” he said.

The directive comes amid rising concern over the misuse of honorary degrees in Nigeria, where such titles have increasingly been adopted for social status, political advantage, and business influence.

Alausa noted that the trend has led to widespread abuse, with honorary awards allegedly being used for political patronage and, in some cases, financial inducement.

“The recent trend we’ve seen with the award of honorary degrees has revealed a growing abuse and politicisation of this academic privilege,” he said.

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“We’ve seen awards being used for political patronage, for financial gain, as well as the conferral of awards on serving public officials, which, as part of the ethics of honorary degree awards, should not happen.”

The new regulation introduces strict guidelines on how honorary degrees should be presented. Instead of using the “Dr” prefix, recipients are required to indicate the honorary nature of the award after their names.

For instance, individuals may write “Chief Louis Clark, D.Lit. (Honoris Causa)” or “Mrs Miriam Adamu, LL.D. (Hons.),” ensuring a clear distinction between honorary recognition and earned doctoral qualifications.

The policy also standardises the categories of honorary degrees that Nigerian universities are permitted to award, limiting them to four: Doctor of Laws (LL.D), Doctor of Letters (D.Lit), Doctor of Science (D.Sc), and Doctor of Humanities (D.Arts).

In addition, universities without active PhD programmes are now barred from awarding honorary degrees—a move aimed at curbing what the government describes as the growing commercialisation of academic honours by institutions lacking adequate research capacity.

Alausa explained that all honorary degree certificates must explicitly state “honorary” or “Honoris Causa” to prevent ambiguity or misuse.

To ensure compliance, the Federal Government, through the National Universities Commission (NUC), will issue a formal circular to vice-chancellors, registrars, and governing councils of universities nationwide.

The minister added that convocation ceremonies will be closely monitored, while collaboration with the media will be strengthened to discourage the improper use of academic titles by honorary awardees.

The policy builds on earlier efforts to regulate the practice, including the 2012 “Keffi Declaration” introduced by the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities. However, Alausa noted that the declaration lacked legal backing and enforcement mechanisms.

“The association doesn’t have any legal backing to enforce anything. That is why we brought this to the Federal Executive Council, which now gives it legal and executive backing,” he said.

Education stakeholders have welcomed the move as a significant step toward sanitising Nigeria’s academic space and preserving the value of earned doctoral degrees.

Analysts say the enforcement of the directive will be crucial, particularly in a society where titles carry significant social and political influence.

The new policy is expected to reshape how honorary degrees are perceived and used in Nigeria, reinforcing the distinction between academic achievement and ceremonial recognition.

FG Bans Honorary Degree Holders from Using “Dr” Title

JAMB, Stakeholders to Determine 2026 Admission Cut-Off Marks May 11

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board will determine the minimum acceptable Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scores for the 2026/2027 admission exercise during its annual Policy Meeting scheduled for May 11, 2026, in Abuja.

The high-level meeting is expected to bring together major stakeholders in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector to deliberate on admission benchmarks, guidelines, and policies that will govern admissions into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide.

According to a statement issued by JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the meeting will take place at the Body of Benchers Auditorium, Plot 688, Institute and Research District, FCC Phase III, Jabi, Abuja.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, is expected to declare the meeting open and unveil the Federal Government’s policy direction for the 2026/2027 admission cycle.

JAMB explained that the annual policy meeting remains one of the board’s most important exercises, as stakeholders collectively determine the minimum tolerable UTME scores and other regulatory frameworks guiding admissions into tertiary institutions.

“The Board’s annual policy meeting on admissions is a crucial annual gathering where stakeholders decide minimum tolerable UTME marks, admission guidelines, and policies for tertiary institutions,” the statement read.

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“Furthermore, the meeting is expected to formally set the tone for the 2026/2027 admission exercise while impressing it on attendees the need to adhere strictly to stipulated guidelines.”

Participants expected at the meeting include vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, registrars, admission officers, and representatives of major education regulatory agencies such as the National Universities Commission, the National Commission for Colleges of Education, and the National Board for Technical Education.

The meeting comes amid growing public interest in admission benchmarks following recent debates over UTME performance trends, admission standards, and access to tertiary education across the country.

Although JAMB has yet to announce the official cut-off marks for the 2026/2027 session, previous policy meetings approved different minimum scores for universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, with institutions retaining the flexibility to set higher internal benchmarks.

Stakeholders are also expected to review compliance mechanisms aimed at ensuring transparency, merit, and fairness in the admission process, especially following concerns in recent years over irregular admissions and quota implementation.

In addition to admission policy discussions, the event will feature the 6th edition of the National Tertiary Admissions Performance-Merit Awards (NATAP-M), an initiative introduced by JAMB to reward institutions that demonstrate strict compliance with admission regulations and best practices.

The awards recognise tertiary institutions that uphold merit-based admissions, timely processing, and adherence to JAMB’s central admission system.

Education analysts say the outcome of the May 11 meeting will shape the admission landscape for millions of candidates seeking placement into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions for the 2026/2027 academic session.

JAMB, Stakeholders to Determine 2026 Admission Cut-Off Marks May 11

Minaret University sets academic, moral tone as pioneer students take historic oath

Minaret University, Ikirun, has formally launched its academic journey with a strong emphasis on discipline, research, and moral integrity, as it inducted its pioneer students at a historic maiden matriculation ceremony.

The ceremony, held last Thursday, at the institution’s Multi-Purpose Hall, saw 12 students admitted into the university’s academic community—marking a significant milestone for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community-owned institution.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdur-Rahman Abdullah, charged the pioneer cohort to combine academic excellence with upright character, stressing that education must go beyond intellectual attainment.

He described matriculation as more than a ceremonial exercise, noting that it represents the university’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals grounded in both scholarship and ethics.

“True education requires a balance between intellectual development and sound moral character,” Abdullah said, urging the students to remain focused, disciplined, and committed to research throughout their academic journey.

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Also speaking, the Chancellor of the university and Amir (National Head) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Alatoye, described the matriculating students as trailblazers who would shape the institution’s legacy.

“You will be remembered as those who set the standard—academically, socially, and morally,” he said, challenging them to embrace excellence and discipline.

The pioneer students, who took the matriculation oath in a unified voice, were admitted into various departments including Computer Science, Cyber Security, Information Technology, and Accounting, reflecting the university’s focus on science, computing, and management disciplines.

The event also featured the inauguration of the Parents Consultative Assembly, aimed at fostering closer engagement between the university and parents, as well as strengthening stakeholder collaboration.

Established to provide quality education rooted in strong ethical values, Minaret University said the maiden matriculation signals the beginning of its vision to raise a generation of responsible and globally competitive graduates.

Minaret University sets academic, moral tone as pioneer students take historic oath