- Safiu Kehinde
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has uncovered 32 tertiary institutions issuing fake honourary doctorates degree and professorship.
This is coming under the heels of surge in rate of public office holders and professionals parading fake certifications and qualifications.
As disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, the NUC Executive Secretary, preliminary investigation revealed that 32 entities are allegedly functioning as honorary doctorate degree mills.
These, according to the statement include 10 foreign universities lacking accreditation, 4 local universities without proper licensing, 15 professional organizations that do not possess the authority to grant degrees, and 3 other institutions that do not award degrees.
Ribadu decried the institutions’ involvement in the academic degree fraud.
He held that honorary doctorate degrees are meant to recognise outstanding service or achievements of an individual but had overtime been misused.
“We are here today to shed light on a matter of growing national concern. This is the award and misuse of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria.
“Honorary doctorate degrees are meant to recognise outstanding service or achievements of an individual.
“Unfortunately, these awards have increasingly been misused by recipients. More troubling is the rise of unaccredited and illegal institutions (both local and foreign that operate as honorary doctorate degree mills in Nigeria.
“They offer these degrees without merit, without oversight, and without legitimacy.
“In response to this disturbing trend, an investigation was carried out by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to examine how these degrees are awarded and used across Nigeria.
“The report of the investigation identifies 32 institutions operating as honorary doctorate degree mills, including 10 unaccredited foreign universities, 4 unlicensed local universities, 15 professional bodies with no degree-awarding powers, and 3 other non-degree-awarding institutions.
“It should be noted that this figure may not be exhaustive. It is even more alarming that some of these institutions go as far as awarding fake professorships.” The statement partly read.
Ribadu expressed concern over the findings which according to him revealed non-complaince with the Keffi Declaration by Vice Chancellors across Nigeria in 2012.
He said the current thread threatened the integrity of our universities and the value of genuine academic qualifications.
While reiterating the terms and conditions of the awarding an honourary degree, the NUC Executive Secretary, declared that recipients of Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) or the title D. Litt. (h.c.) at the end of their names, must refrain from using the title “Dr” which is the designation for PhD holders and medical personnel.
“The findings are deeply concerning. This is especially so because many institutions do not comply with the Keffi Declaration of 2012.
““This is the policy agreed upon by Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian universities to regulate the award of honorary doctorate degrees. It prohibits the award of honorary degrees to serving public officials and cautions recipients against using the title “Dr” without proper disclosure.
“This is not just a matter of ethics; it is a matter of law. Using the title “Dr” based on an honorary degree without clarification amounts to false representation which is punishable under various fraud-related laws in Nigeria.
“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.
““Let us be clear; awarding honorary degrees is a legal responsibility of Nigerian universities and the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, Chapter E2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, L. F. N. 2004, empowers the National Universities Commission to regulate the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria.
“Hence, the Commission is determined to guide the proper use of honorary degrees, regulate their awards, as well as protect the sanctity of our university educational system.
“For the avoidance of doubt, only approved universities (either public or private) are eligible to award honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria.
“Furthermore, the recipients of the awards are at liberty to use the nomenclature, such as Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) or the title D. Litt. (h.c.) at the end of their names, but they must refrain from using the title “Dr” which is the designation for PhD holders and medical personnel.
“Additionally, they are not permitted to use the honorary doctorate degree to practise as scholars or professionals, supervise research or oversee administrative units.” He said.
Ribadu further announced the development of a national guideline for the award and use of doctorate degrees.
“In conclusion, the National Universities Commission has developed a national guideline for the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees.
“This will soon be published, and the Commission will begin a clampdown on honorary degree mills in collaboration with law enforcement and other relevant government agencies.
“We are soliciting the support of all stakeholders, relevant government agencies, and the public in restoring honour to our honorary degrees. Let us defend the dignity of the Nigerian higher education.” He added.