The National Universities Commission (NUC) has expressed deep concern over the growing number of illegal universities in Nigeria, which it described as “degree mills.” The Commission vowed to take firm action against their promoters and prosecute them for issuing fake academic qualifications.
Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, recently raised alarm over practices he said undermine the credibility of certificates earned by students who complete legitimate university programmes. He highlighted the fraudulent awarding of fake degrees by illegal institutions as one of the major threats to the integrity of Nigeria’s education system.
Ribadu also condemned the misuse and commercialization of honorary doctorate degrees, noting that both illegal and accredited institutions are guilty of awarding such honours to serving public officials in violation of established guidelines. This development prompted the NUC to announce a ban on universities conferring honorary doctorates on serving public office holders, including elected and appointed officials.
According to the Commission, a recent investigation uncovered 32 institutions operating as honorary doctorate “degree mills.” These include 10 unaccredited foreign universities, four unlicensed local universities, 15 professional bodies with no legal authority to award degrees, and three other non-degree-awarding organisations. Receiving the committee’s report on the misuse of honorary degrees, Ribadu stressed that the NUC would begin cracking down on these institutions in partnership with law enforcement agencies.
He insisted that universities must stop seeking out individuals for honorary degrees in exchange for financial patronage. Ribadu further warned that recipients who publicly use the title “Dr” without the correct nomenclature—such as Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) or D.Litt. (h.c.)—would face prosecution for false representation.
Explaining the proper use of honorary degrees, Ribadu noted that such awards are strictly meant to honour individuals for exceptional service or achievement, and only approved public or private universities are authorized to confer them. He cited Nile University’s recent honorary degree awarded to former President Goodluck Jonathan—ten years after leaving office—as an example of best practice.
He emphasized that honorary doctorate holders must not parade themselves as academic doctors or use the title to practise as scholars, supervise research, or occupy academic positions.
Ribadu described the findings of the investigative committee as alarming, pointing out that some illegal institutions even go as far as awarding fake professorships. He reaffirmed that the NUC, empowered by law, is committed to guiding the proper use of honorary degrees, regulating their award, and safeguarding the integrity of the nation’s university system.
The NUC has now developed a national guideline for the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees, which will soon be published. Ribadu stated that the Commission will work with security agencies to clamp down on degree mills and restore dignity to Nigeria’s higher education space.
He called on stakeholders, government bodies, and the public to support the Commission in protecting the honour and credibility of academic and honorary qualifications in the country.
