Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has strongly condemned the growing trend of Nigerian universities awarding honorary degrees to individuals without academic merit.
Jega, who is also the Chairman of the Governing Council of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, expressed his concern while speaking at the 14th Convocation Lecture of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), held in Abuja on Friday, April 11, 2025.
Delivering a blunt message to Nigerian academic institutions, Jega described the practice of honoring individuals with no formal education or scholarly contributions as a “betrayal of the academic system” and a “stain on the integrity of Nigerian universities.”
Addressing students, faculty members, and guests at the event, Jega lauded the graduating students for their dedication and perseverance. He said it was discouraging to see hardworking students spend years earning their degrees while individuals without any academic or research background are handed honorary awards—often for political or personal reasons.
“This is a stain on the integrity and respect of Nigerian universities,” Jega said. “It is demoralizing for a student who has worked day and night, passed exams, and completed their thesis, to see someone who has never seen the four walls of a lecture hall receiving a degree simply because of money, politics, or influence.”
He argued that such actions dilute the value of genuine academic achievements and pose a threat to the credibility of the higher education system in Nigeria.
Jega urged all educational stakeholders—students, lecturers, and university administrators—to resist the politicization of honorary degrees and protect the values of academic excellence.
“Our institutions must stand firm and draw a line,” he said. “Honorary degrees should be reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to knowledge, society, or humanity, not as a reward for wealth or political affiliation.”
He highlighted that universities, as centers of knowledge and innovation, should not be dragged into the murky waters of politics or used as tools for personal aggrandizement.
Also speaking at the event was Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), who echoed Professor Jega’s sentiments. Dr. Adesina, who delivered the convocation lecture titled “Advancing Africa’s Positioning within Global Development and Geopolitical Dynamics,” used the opportunity to reflect on the decline in the prestige of Nigerian education due to political interference.
“There was a time when the Nigerian education system was the pride of Africa,” Adesina said. “Our degrees were highly respected, and our scholars were globally sought after. We still hold that potential, but we must not allow political influence to undermine our progress.”
He stressed the need to restore credibility and meritocracy within Nigerian institutions, warning that the quality of education should never be compromised in the name of popularity or power.
The Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Olufemi Peters, in his address, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to maintaining high academic standards. He assured the audience that NOUN remains focused on academic merit and would continue to recognize only individuals who embody excellence and contribute meaningfully to society.
“Our university was founded to democratize access to quality education, and we will not depart from that mission,” he said. “We believe in rewarding hard work, innovation, and service, and we are committed to upholding the core values of academic integrity.”
NOUN, one of Nigeria’s leading open and distance learning institutions, has continued to expand access to higher education for Nigerians across all states, with thousands of graduates each year.
The remarks by Professor Jega come at a time when the Nigerian education system is under increased scrutiny for declining quality, funding issues, and political interference. Public universities have experienced frequent disruptions due to strikes, while private universities often face questions over standards and regulation.
Critics argue that the growing number of undeserved honorary degrees points to a deeper problem—where influence and wealth have become more important than knowledge and service.
Several public commentators and educational advocacy groups have backed Jega’s position, calling on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to implement stricter guidelines for the conferment of honorary awards.
Beyond policy reform, experts say there is a need for a cultural shift in how Nigerians perceive education and academic honours. Rather than seeing degrees as symbols of power or status, society must return to valuing them as reflections of genuine effort and contribution.
Honorary degrees, in particular, are meant to celebrate individuals who have excelled in areas like public service, research, innovation, and humanitarian work. When such honours are given carelessly, they lose their meaning and cast doubt on the
