From Joan Ebohon
The Federal Government has announced a ban on the use of the “Dr” title by individuals who only hold honorary degrees. This means that anyone awarded an honorary doctorate can no longer add “Dr” before their name in any official, academic, or professional setting.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during a media briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said the decision was approved at the Federal Executive Council meeting held on April 30.
According to the government, using the title in this way is considered misleading, since it suggests the person earned the degree through academic study or medical qualification.
Alausa further stated that universities will now be required to obtain approval from the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) before conferring honorary degrees.
