The Federal Government on Wednesday banned recipients of honorary degrees from prefixing “Dr” to their names in official, academic, or professional usage.

It declared that the use of the title by such recipients constitutes a misrepresentation of academic credentials and will henceforth be treated as academic fraud, attracting legal and reputational consequences.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while briefing State House correspondents on two Federal Executive Council approvals.

Alausa, who appeared alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Ahmad, said the FEC approved a uniform policy for the award and use of honorary degrees by Nigerian universities.

He explained that the policy aims to curb the abuse and politicisation of honorary degrees and restore public confidence in academic titles.

“The recent trend we’ve seen with the award of honorary degrees has revealed a growing abuse and politicisation of this academic privilege.

“We’ve seen awards being used for political patronage, for financial gain, as well as the conferral of awards on serving public officials, which, as part of the ethics of honorary degree awards, should not happen,” he said.

Under the new directive, recipients of honorary degrees must no longer use “Dr” before their names. Instead, they are required to include the full honorary designation after their names.

“For instance, you can use Chief Louis Clark, D.Lit. (Doctor of Literature, Honoris Causa) or Mrs Miriam Adamu, LL.D. Hons,” Alausa explained.

He stressed that this format clearly distinguishes honorary awards from earned academic qualifications.

“Recipients shall not prefix doctor to their names in official, academic or professional usage.

“Misrepresentation of honorary degrees as earned academic credentials shall be considered academic fraud and subject to legal and reputational consequences,” he added.

The policy also limits honorary degrees Nigerian universities can award to four categories: Doctor of Laws (LL.D), Doctor of Letters (D.Lit), Doctor of Science (D.Sc), and Doctor of Humanities (D.Arts).

It further prohibits universities without active PhD programmes from awarding honorary degrees.

Alausa said this measure is necessary to address the growing trend of newer institutions conferring honorary titles despite lacking postgraduate research capacity.

He added that all honorary degrees must clearly carry the words “honorary” or “Honoris Causa” on certificates and in official references.

The minister noted that concerns over the commercialisation and misuse of honorary degrees have persisted for years, with institutions often accused of awarding them based on political or financial considerations rather than merit.

He recalled that efforts to regulate the practice, including the Keffi Declaration of 2012 by the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, failed due to lack of legal backing.

“That is why we brought this to the Federal Executive Council, which now gives it legal and executive backing,” he said.

Alausa added that the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission will issue guidelines to universities and monitor compliance.

He said convocation ceremonies will be closely observed, while an annual list of legitimate honorary degree recipients will be published to safeguard the integrity of academic qualifications.

The post FG Bans Honorary Degree Holders From Using ‘Dr’ Title, Declares It Academic Fraud appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has identified 2,658 illegal admissions conducted by 17 tertiary institutions during the 2024/2025 academic session.

According to JAMB, the affected institutions bypassed the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), the official platform for regulating and validating all admission offers in Nigeria.

Data released by the board show that Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University recorded the highest number of irregular admissions with 1,847 cases, followed by Osun State University with 492.

Other schools implicated include Abubakar Tafari Ali Polytechnic, the University of Calabar, and Redeemer’s University.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, warned that institutions found guilty of such practices would face strict sanctions, including the withdrawal of accreditation and disciplinary action against involved officials.

JAMB reiterated that all admissions carried out outside the CAPS framework remain invalid and that affected students may lose eligibility for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

The post JAMB uncovers 2,658 illegal admissions in Nigerian institutions appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

A Rising Talent Hub

Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has stated that Nigeria is quickly becoming a global hub for skilled labor. He praised Nigeria’s education system for producing graduates who are now in demand worldwide.

Nigerian Graduates Making Waves

Echono emphasized that, despite challenges, Nigerian graduates are competitive in the global job market. Many now work for multinational companies while staying in Nigeria. This demonstrates that Nigeria’s skilled workforce is gaining international recognition.

Nigeria’s Advantage in a Changing World

Echono attributed Nigeria’s rise to the policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. These policies have made Nigeria an attractive location for skilled labor. Many advanced nations face aging populations and a decline in birth rates. These countries need younger workers, and Nigeria’s educated youth are stepping up to meet this demand.

TETFund’s Contribution to Education

Echono also highlighted TETFund’s role in improving Nigeria’s education sector. The Fund has supported over 40,000 postgraduate students, both locally and abroad. TETFund is heavily investing in upgrading facilities at Nigerian universities to ensure they remain competitive and continue to meet the growing demand for education.

Efficient Resource Management

Echono assured the public that TETFund is managing its resources effectively despite the growing number of public tertiary institutions. The increase in education tax revenue enables the Fund to support more institutions without sacrificing quality. The management team ensures that all projects are completed on time and within budget to avoid the effects of inflation.

Looking Ahead to Legacy Projects

Echono dedicated the Education Icon award he received to President Tinubu, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the entire TETFund team. He said this recognition would inspire them to push forward with legacy projects that will transform Nigeria’s universities. He also called on university management to provide full support to ensure the success of these projects.

The post Nigeria Emerges as a Global Hub for Skilled Labor, Says TETFUND Boss appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The federal government is amending tax reform bills to ensure Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) funding continues beyond 2030.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa confirmed this at a press briefing in Abuja, reassuring stakeholders of sustained TETFund revenue allocation.

President Bola Tinubu earlier proposed four tax reform bills, including the Nigeria Tax Bill and Nigeria Tax Administration Bill.

A clause in the Tax Administration Bill sought to replace education tax with a development levy, gradually eliminating TETFund’s funding.

The proposal faced criticism, with stakeholders warning it could weaken TETFund and impact public tertiary education funding significantly.

Alausa assured that the education ministry is working with lawmakers to amend the bill, protecting TETFund’s funding structure.

He stated, “We engaged with the tax reform committee, and I confirm TETFund will not be phased out.”

Established in 2011, TETFund relies on company tax deductions collected by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

It has played a crucial role in developing infrastructure, research, and training across Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions nationwide.

The post FG Assures TETFund Will Continue Beyond 2030, Lawmakers Amending Tax Bills – Tunji Alausa appeared first on Housing TV Africa.