Stricter rules governing the awarding of honorary degrees have been imposed by the National Universities Commission (NUC), which prohibits recipients from using the title "Dr."

The regulation, according to the Commission, is intended to stop the misuse and indiscriminate awarding of honorary degrees, which it claimed has diminished the significance of true academic distinctions.

The new regulations will essentially bar more recent universities from awarding honorary degrees since only those that have completed their first batch of PhD students will be permitted to do so.

The NUC made it clear that honorary degree holders are not allowed to start their names with "Dr." Rather, they should use suitable post-nominal titles like D.Sc. (H.C.) or Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa). It underlined that only those with doctorates or certified medical professionals are eligible to use the "Dr." title.

Additionally, the Commission insisted that honorary degrees be awarded only on the basis of merit and at no cost to the recipient, outlawing any kind of financial incentive.

Universities are now only allowed to award three honorary degrees every convocation event in order to maintain moderation. Furthermore, self-nominated candidates and current public servants, whether appointed or elected, are not eligible to receive these honors.

Institutions must post the names of recipients on their official websites and set up processes for withdrawing honors from people who are later found to have engaged in misbehavior as part of efforts to increase openness.

The NUC went on to say that honorary degrees do not grant any academic or professional benefits, such as the ability to oversee research, practice regulated professions, or hold administration positions in universities.

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