ABUJA — The Federal Government has approved new guidelines governing the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees by Nigerian universities, introducing stricter requirements intended to protect the credibility of the university system. The guidelines were developed by the National Universities Commission and approved by the Federal Executive Council. Under the new framework, only approved universities that have graduated their first PhD cohort may confer honorary doctorate degrees. The number of honorary awards is also restricted, with universities limited to a maximum of three recipients per convocation. The government said the measures were designed to address concerns about the abuse, commercialisation and misuse of honorary academic awards. Honorary degrees are traditionally awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to society, scholarship, public service, culture or other areas of importance. They are not equivalent to academic qualifications earned through formal study and research. The new rules seek to make that distinction clearer. Honorary degree recipients are required to use the designation 'Honoris Causa' and are prohibited from using the title 'Dr.' solely on the basis of an honorary award. The restriction is intended to prevent members of the public from being misled about the academic qualifications of recipients. Universities will also be required to publish the names of honorary degree recipients and provide orientation to awardees about the proper use of their honours. The framework includes mechanisms for revoking awards where necessary. A Special Fraud Unit under the NUC will monitor compliance and investigate concerns surrounding honorary doctorate awards. Universities that fail to comply could face sanctions affecting their accreditation activities and governing structures. Academic integrity is important because universities issue qualifications that employers, professional bodies and other institutions rely upon. When academic titles are awarded without clear standards, public confidence in the higher education system can be weakened. The government therefore considers regulation of honorary awards part of a broader effort to strengthen standards. The policy also creates clearer responsibilities for universities. Institutions will need to document the reasons for selecting recipients and follow the approved procedures. Greater transparency can help prevent honorary degrees from becoming commercial awards or being used primarily for personal or political recognition. The rules could also encourage universities to focus more carefully on the significance of the individuals they honour. Recipients should have demonstrable contributions that justify the recognition. The distinction between earned and honorary qualifications should also remain clear in public communication. Employers and members of the public should not assume that an honorary doctorate represents completion of a doctoral research programme. The reform comes as Nigerian universities face broader demands to improve academic quality and international credibility. Maintaining clear standards for qualifications and titles is part of that responsibility. Universities will now need to review their existing procedures and ensure compliance with the new framework. The government said the guidelines would help restore confidence in honorary awards and protect the reputation of Nigerian universities. If consistently implemented, the policy could reduce misuse of academic titles while ensuring that honorary degrees remain meaningful forms of recognition.