Why FG Barred Honorary Degree Recipients from Using ‘Dr’ Title – Minister
The Federal Government has prohibited recipients of honorary degrees from appending the title “Dr” to their names, in a move aimed at restoring the integrity of academic honours.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the directive on Wednesday during a media briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to the minister, the decision was reached at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council held on April 30.
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Alausa said the policy seeks to address the long-standing abuse associated with the conferment of honorary degrees, which he noted had increasingly been exploited for political patronage and financial benefit.
“The trend in the award of honorary degrees has exposed significant abuse and politicisation of what should be a respected academic tradition. In some instances, these honours are granted for political reasons, monetary considerations, and even to serving public officials, which contravenes established ethical standards,” he said.
He warned that universities found violating the directive would face sanctions, adding that vice chancellors have been instructed to tighten procedures governing such awards.
The minister further disclosed that, going forward, universities must obtain approval from the National Universities Commission before conferring honorary degrees.
By PRNigeria
