Abuja, Nigeria – You fit call am a fresh drama wey dey unfold as the National Universities Commission (NUC) don wave dem magic wand to stop fellow for Nigeria wey dey collect honorary degrees like say na sweet candy. On Friday, Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, wey represent dem NUC, come yan dis for journalists during one conference wey happen for Abuja.
Ribadu talk sey dem don discover 32 institutions, both local and foreign, wey dey engage for the racketeering of honorary doctorates. E be like sey some schools dey dish out dem fancy titles without any proper qualification or oversight (chai, wahala dey!).
A no be small matter na, as Ribadu talk sey de degrees supposed to recognize people wey don do well for their fields, but now na everybody dey use am anyhow. E even mention sey dem report show sey plenty of dis institutions no follow the Keffi Declaration of 2012 wey suppose guide dem. Na wa!
“Dis policy wey dem agree upon by vice-chancellors of Nigerian universities go fit help us manage how dem dey award dis fancy degrees,” Ribadu talk. “Dem no suppose give any public official dis kind recognition, and if you collect am, you no fit just waka around dey call yourself ‘Dr’ without letting people know sey na honorary.” (So, my padi dear, no go dey gist people sey you be Doctor if you collect dis type of degree o!)
This no be just warning, na serious matter as use dis title without proper disclosure fit land you for hot soup, according to Ribadu. “Dis trend dey jeopardize the integrity of our universities and make people no fit trust genuine academic achievements again.” Omo, e clear say dem dey take dis matter serious!
According to d reports, dey don catch dis institutions wey dey operate like degree factories. Dem include 10 foreign universities wey no get accreditation, four local unauthorised universities, plus some professional bodies wey fit no get degree-awarding powers.
Ribadu talk sey NUC don ready release guidelines wey go direct how to use and award these honorary degrees, so people fit know how to flaunt dem wisely. You fit use titles like Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) or D. Litt. (h.c.) after your name, but no dey call yourself ‘Dr’ unless you truly earn am through hard work.
In summary, my padi, dis new NUC policy go help clear the air (and small small, clean our dirty laundry) around honorary degrees. Make we dey follow the rules and stop dey collect fake titles like say na pure water wey dey sell for roadside! Let the genuine scholars shine for their well-deserved accolades.
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