Nigerian Universities Defy 2012 Ban on Political Honorary Degrees
The National Universities Commission has taken delivery of a comprehensive report investigating the widespread misuse and politicization of honorary doctorate degrees across Nigerian universities. The five-member committee submitted its findings ahead of a scheduled public release this Friday, signaling a major crackdown on academic honor abuses.
Journalist Inquiry Triggers Investigation
Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, revealed that the investigation panel was established on Monday, September 1, 2025, following a formal inquiry from a DUBAWA journalist. The fact-checking platform sought clarification on the growing practice where recipients of honorary degrees from Nigerian and foreign institutions improperly use the title "Dr," raising serious questions about academic integrity.
The investigative committee was chaired by former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Kabiru Bala, who also serves as an NUC Visiting Professor. The panel was specifically mandated to develop ethical guidelines for honorary doctorate recipients and recommend best practices for awarding and regulating such honors in Nigeria's higher education system.
Universities Ignore Keffi Declaration
During his address at the 13th convocation ceremony of Nile University of Nigeria in Abuja, Professor Ribadu expressed deep concern that numerous universities have consistently violated the 2012 Keffi Declaration. This landmark agreement, signed by Nigerian vice-chancellors, explicitly prohibits universities from awarding honorary doctorate degrees to serving public officers, whether in political positions or other government roles.
"We have what is called the Keffi Declaration from 2012. The Keffi Declaration is against the award of honorary doctorates to serving officers, whether political or not. But a lot of our universities do not follow it," Ribadu stated emphatically.
The NUC chief confirmed that the committee's report will be made public on Friday, with stakeholders anticipating the introduction of stringent new guidelines to restore credibility to the honorary doctorate system.
Celebrity and Political Awards Undermine Academic Standards
The Keffi Declaration was originally designed to protect the integrity of academic honors by restricting honorary doctorates to individuals who meet specific academic, professional, or humanitarian criteria. The agreement aimed to prevent the manipulation of such awards for political patronage and celebrity endorsements.
Despite these regulations, both accredited and unaccredited Nigerian universities have continued to confer honorary doctorates on politicians, business leaders, and entertainment celebrities. Recent recipients include President Bola Tinubu, who received an honorary doctorate from Afe Babalola University, and Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, honored by the Federal University in Lokoja.
The entertainment industry has also seen numerous awards, with celebrities like Tiwa Savage, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, and Peter Okoye receiving honorary doctorates from institutions including the University of Kent, Igbinedion University, and Escae University.
The legitimacy of some institutions conferring these honors has raised serious concerns among academic stakeholders, who worry that the practice is transforming honorary doctorates into tools for political patronage and celebrity promotion rather than genuine recognition of outstanding achievement.
The Federal Government had previously moved to address the growing abuse of honorary doctorate degrees across the country. The NUC recently announced a complete ban on awarding honorary degrees to serving public officials, demonstrating the government's commitment to restoring academic integrity in Nigeria's higher education sector.
