The Federal Government has approved a uniform national policy for the award of honorary degrees by Nigerian universities, as part of efforts to protect academic integrity and restore public confidence in the nation’s tertiary education system.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this while briefing State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
the new policy is aimed at ending indiscriminate and unmerited conferment of honorary degrees, ensuring such honours are reserved strictly for individuals who have made outstanding contributions to national development, scholarship and humanity.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, explained that under the new guidelines, honorary degrees must clearly indicate their honorary status to prevent the misuse of academic titles, while serving public office holders will no longer be eligible for such recognition.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission will monitor compliance to ensure strict implementation across universities in the country.
The Education Minister also announced the approval of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund, designed to strengthen research, innovation and technological advancement nationwide.
According to him, the fund will provide strategic direction for research and development, administer competitive grants, promote commercialization of research outcomes, support emerging talents, provide cutting-edge laboratories and foster international research partnerships.
Professor Alausa said the fund will operate as a flexible and results-driven agency under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, with governance to be overseen by a seventeen-member National Council on Research and Innovation chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
He further revealed that Council has directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to prepare an Executive Bill for transmission to the National Assembly for the legal establishment of the fund.
Professor Alausa said the initiative is expected to secure about five hundred million dollars annually to support outcome-based research aligned with Nigeria’s development priorities, describing it as a major step toward building a knowledge-driven economy.
Bello Wakili
