Ghana has recently taken a commendable and decisive action that Nigeria must urgently emulate. The Ghana Education Commission has officially banned the public display and usage of honorary doctorate titles, warning that anyone who violates this directive will face firm sanctions. This groundbreaking move directly addresses a troubling and deeply entrenched issue: the steady erosion of academic integrity due to the uncontrolled distribution and misuse of unearned academic titles.
By instituting this ban, Ghana has taken a strong stand against the growing culture of inflated credentials, which has devalued genuine academic achievements. Now, Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. The country must choose to either uphold the sanctity of academic excellence or continue to tolerate a dangerous trend that undermines the credibility of its educational system.
The Alarming Spread of Fake Credentials in Nigeria
Over the years, Nigeria’s obsession with titles has spiraled into absurdity. Across the country, individuals who have never endured the rigors of academic study—who have never defended a thesis, conducted research, or sat through lectures—proudly flaunt themselves as “doctors,” “professors,” or “fellows.” Most of these titles come not from earned merit but from honorary degrees, often handed out like souvenirs.
Many Nigerian universities, enticed by the lure of donations, political influence, or media attention, routinely award honorary doctorates to celebrities, business moguls, and politically connected figures. Some recipients even obtain their questionable credentials from little-known or unaccredited foreign institutions. Others rely on professional associations that grant honorary fellowships based on opaque, and often suspicious, criteria.
This flood of unearned titles drowns out the hard work and sacrifice of genuine scholars who have dedicated years to learning, research, and teaching. It creates a façade of expertise, distorting public perception and undermining the value of real academic and professional accomplishments.
The Dangerous Consequences of Title Inflation
Unfortunately, the damage extends far beyond symbolic disrespect. When people misuse titles, they mislead the public. In fields like medicine, this deception becomes especially dangerous—literally a matter of life and death. Nigeria is rife with self-styled “doctors” who have never stepped inside a medical school and “professors” who have never taught a single lecture.
Some of these so-called title holders are entertainers or businessmen with no formal education in the disciplines they claim to represent. Yet they demand the same respect—and often receive the same privileges—as those who have genuinely earned their place through academic rigor. This charade not only mocks real scholarship but also severely damages the nation’s credibility.
The National Universities Commission Must Act
While the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Nigeria has occasionally acknowledged this growing problem, its response has been woefully inadequate. Ghana has moved from merely cautioning institutions to imposing a full ban. Nigeria, however, still relies on ineffective warnings and lax oversight. This must change.
The NUC must step up and implement decisive, enforceable policies. Universities that award honorary degrees irresponsibly should face stringent penalties, including steep fines or even revocation of their accreditation. The government should also establish a national framework that defines the acceptable criteria for awarding honorary degrees, ensuring they are strictly ceremonial and cannot be confused with earned academic qualifications.
Additionally, the creation of a public and regularly updated database listing legitimate PhD holders, professors, and fellows would go a long way in separating authentic scholars from impostors. This would help employers, institutions, and the public verify credentials and restore trust in Nigeria’s academic landscape.
A Global Reputation at Stake
The misuse of titles has not only harmed the domestic perception of Nigerian academic institutions but has also affected the country’s global standing. Nigerian credentials often come under heightened scrutiny abroad, in part due to the prevalence of unearned titles. For many young Nigerians, this trend discourages genuine academic pursuit, as shortcuts appear more rewarding than hard work.
Moreover, the love of honorifics has birthed an entire industry. Some universities and professional bodies now openly court politicians, tycoons, and even dubious personalities to purchase honorary titles. Lobbying for these accolades has become widespread. This transactional approach cheapens the very notion of education and skews public perception of success.
The Cultural Dimensions of Nigeria’s Title Obsession
Beyond policy, Nigeria must confront the cultural roots of this problem. The nation’s unhealthy obsession with titles reveals a deeper societal crisis: a preference for appearance over substance, shortcuts over merit, and self-glorification over collective progress. From politicians to community leaders, many individuals now insist on being addressed with long lists of honorifics, even threatening or suing media organizations that omit them.
This cultural drift has worsened in the democratic era. The abuse of titles surged during Nigeria’s Second Republic and has reached intolerable levels in the Fourth Republic. Professions that once emphasized modesty and service—such as engineering, surveying, or urban planning—have also fallen into the trap. It’s now common to see professionals prepend every communication with their designations, not for clarity, but for status.
What Must Be Done Now
To reverse this dangerous tide, Nigeria’s leadership must act with resolve. The National Assembly should draft and pass legislation that prohibits the public use of honorary titles in official documents, business cards, and media appearances. This legal framework should make it clear that honorary degrees confer no academic or professional status.
Meanwhile, media organizations must revise their editorial standards to reflect these values. Newsrooms should stop reinforcing the trend by blindly publishing unverified or honorary titles. Instead, they should focus on substance—reporting individuals’ actual qualifications and contributions, not their purchased credentials.
Conclusion: Time for Nigeria to Restore Academic Integrity
Nigeria cannot afford to ignore this crisis. The country’s future depends on a robust, credible, and respected academic system. Titles should reflect hard-earned achievements, not be handed out for fame, money, or influence.
By following Ghana’s lead, Nigeria has a golden opportunity to reclaim the dignity of education and professional accomplishment. Honorary titles must remain just that—honorary. They should never serve as tools for deception or social climbing.
This moment calls for courage from regulators, integrity from institutions, and responsibility from the media. If Nigeria truly values knowledge and progress, it must say enough is enough and act decisively to end the dishonorable abuse of honorary titles.
