Nigerian Academics Petition FG Over Rampant Misuse of Titles

A coalition of Nigerian academics has raised the alarm over what they describe as the widespread abuse, misuse, and commercialisation of academic titles such as “Dr.” and “Professor” across the country.

The group, operating under the aegis of the Coalition of Academics and Professors for Qualified Use of Academic Titles (CAPQAT) and led by Prof. Adeyemi Johnson Ademowo, submitted a petition calling on the Federal Government and relevant authorities to urgently curb the trend.

According to the petition, many individuals have been parading themselves with academic titles obtained either through unaccredited institutions, dubious honorary degrees, or outright falsification of credentials. The academics argue that such practices not only erode the value of legitimate scholarship but also mislead the public and undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s educational system.

Examples cited include recipients of honorary doctorates who use the prefix “Dr.” without having earned a doctorate through rigorous academic training, and individuals claiming professorships from questionable foreign universities.

Some unaccredited bible colleges and professional bodies were also accused of conferring degrees or titles that are subsequently misused for social status or commercial gain.

While Nigeria already has legal provisions against such misrepresentations — including the Criminal Code Act, the National Universities Commission (NUC) Act of 1974, and the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) Act of 1993 — CAPQAT insists that poor enforcement has allowed the problem to persist.

The petitioners have therefore urged government to:
• Enforce existing laws and prosecute offenders.
• Clarify that honorary degrees and unaccredited qualifications do not confer the right to use academic titles.
• Blacklist institutions found guilty of trading in fake or misleading academic honours.
• Establish a joint task force involving the NUC, Ministry of Education, security agencies, and law enforcement.
• Launch public awareness campaigns to sensitise citizens and the media about proper use of academic titles.

They warned that if unchecked, the trend could diminish the value of earned degrees, mislead employers and students, and damage Nigeria’s academic reputation globally.

The petition comes amid growing public debates over the rising number of unregulated honorary degrees and the obsession with titles in the country’s academic and political space.