The Federal Government has barred recipients of honorary degrees from adding “Dr” to their names.

Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced this at a media briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the decision was taken at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on April 30.

Alausa explained that the move is aimed at ending decades of indiscriminate conferment of honorary degrees for political patronage and financial gain.

“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.

He added that universities that violate the FEC decision will face sanctions, noting that Vice Chancellors have been directed to streamline the process.

The minister further stated that going forward, universities must seek approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) before awarding honorary degrees.