The National Universities Commission has directed that individuals who receive honorary doctorate degrees must no longer use the title “Dr.” before their names, stating that the designation should be reserved strictly for those who have earned academic doctoral degrees or medical qualifications.
The commission explained that honorary degrees are symbolic recognitions awarded by universities to individuals for their contributions to society, leadership, or achievements in various fields. However, such awards do not carry the same academic standing as doctoral degrees obtained through rigorous academic study and research.
According to the directive, the use of the “Dr.” title should be limited to individuals who have completed accredited doctoral programmes such as a Doctor of Philosophy or professionals who hold recognised medical degrees. The commission emphasised that maintaining this distinction is necessary to protect the integrity of academic qualifications within Nigeria’s higher education system.
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Education experts say the clarification aims to address the growing trend of individuals publicly adopting the “Dr.” title after receiving honorary degrees from universities. The NUC noted that while honorary awards remain an important way of recognising notable achievements, they should not be used to imply academic or professional credentials that were not formally earned.
The commission reiterated its commitment to preserving academic standards and ensuring that titles associated with higher education qualifications are used appropriately within the country’s educational and professional environments.
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