NUC bars honorary doctorate holders from using “Dr” title

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has prohibited recipients of honorary doctorate degrees from using the title “Dr” before their names.

In its newly released guidelines, the Commission stated that the “Dr” prefix is reserved strictly for holders of earned doctoral degrees and qualified medical practitioners.
It added that recipients of honorary doctorates may only use post nominal designations such as “Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa)” or “D.Sc. (h.c.)” after their names.

The NUC also stipulated that only accredited universities that have graduated at least one set of PhD students are eligible to award honorary doctorates, with a maximum of three recipients per convocation.

It warned that sanctions will be imposed on institutions or individuals who fail to comply with the new rules.