Abuja, FCT – Nigeria's National Universities Commission (NUC) has launched a vigorous campaign to curb the rampant misuse of honorary doctorate degrees, labeling rogue institutions as "degree mills" that undermine the nation's academic integrity.

In a press release dated November 21, 2025, the NUC decried the trend of unaccredited local and foreign entities awarding these prestigious honors without merit, oversight, or legitimacy.

"Honorary doctorate degrees are meant to recognize outstanding service or achievements of an individual," the statement reads.

"Unfortunately, these awards have increasingly been misused by recipients.", it further read

The Commission's investigation revealed deep concerns, particularly as many institutions flout the 2012 Kefi Declaration, a pact among Nigerian university vice-chancellors that bans awarding such degrees to serving public officials and mandates clear disclosure when using the "Dr." title.

NUC emphasized that using the title without clarification amounts to false representation, punishable under Nigeria's fraud laws.

"This is not just a matter of ethics; it is a matter of law," the release states, noting, "Beyond the legal implications, this trend threatens the integrity of our universities and the value of genuine academic qualifications. It undermines the hard work of scholars and diminishes public trust in our education system."

The agency called on recipients to refrain from the title without proper disclosure and urged stricter enforcement to protect earned credentials.

This move comes amid rising scrutiny over honorary degrees held by politicians and public figures, sparking debates on social media about authenticity in Nigerian academia.

As Nigeria pushes for educational reforms, the NUC's stance signals zero tolerance for shortcuts in higher learning.