馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Nigerian government approves new rules for honorary doctorate awards to curb abuse
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved new guidelines for the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigerian universities. This move aims to enhance academic integrity, transparency, and the credibility of the university system, addressing concerns about the abuse and commercialization of such awards. The policy, developed by the National Universities Commission NUC and approved by the Federal Executive Council, was announced by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education. Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, stated that the guidelines were introduced to tackle the misuse of honorary academic awards. Under the new regulations, only universities that have graduated their first set of PhD students are eligible to confer honorary degrees, with a limit of three awards per convocation ceremony. All honorary doctorates must include the designation "Honoris Causa," and recipients are prohibited from using the title "Dr" based solely on the award. Universities are also mandated to publish recipients' names, provide orientation for awardees, and establish procedures for award revocation. The government has implemented oversight mechanisms, including an NUC monitoring unit, to ensure compliance. Non-compliant institutions face sanctions such as the suspension of accreditation activities and potential dissolution of governing councils. These guidelines follow earlier concerns raised by the NUC in February regarding t
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu visited the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa鈥檃d Abubakar III, at the Seat of the Caliphate. This visit is part of ongoing efforts to promote peace, unity, and national development. Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, expressed appreciation for the visit, highlighting it as a reflection of the strong relationship between the Presidency, the Sultanate, and the people of Sokoto State. Governor Aliyu noted that the meeting emphasized the importance of collaboration between traditional institutions and the government in addressing national challenges and improving the welfare of Nigerians. He commended Oluremi Tinubu for her dedication to improving citizens' lives through the Renewed Hope Initiative, recognizing her humanitarian efforts as a valuable contribution to national development. Governor Aliyu also prayed for the continued good health and wisdom of the Sultan of Sokoto, and wished President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the First Lady success in their service to the nation.
Must ReadSenegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has launched a new political party called Kiiraay, meaning "protection" or "shield" in Wolof. This development follows a public disagreement with his former mentor and ex-prime minister, Ousmane Sonko, who leads the Pan-Africanist party Pastef. Both men were previously members of Pastef, which brought Faye to power in 2024. Faye appointed Sonko as prime minister upon becoming president, but their relationship deteriorated, leading to Sonko's dismissal in May. The new Kiiraay party, with the slogan "Republican Patriots," was unveiled at an assembly in Dakar, with President Faye stating it is built on "republic, ethics, transparency, fraternity and work." Supporters expressed hope that the new party would allow Faye to implement his promised changes, including economic transformation, social justice, and a fight against corruption. While Kiiraay's electoral strength is yet to be proven, several Pastef officials and activists have reportedly resigned to join the presidential camp. Faye's communication team announced that the new party plans to hold a congress after the summer rainy season. Faye's presidency is largely attributed to Sonko, who was barred from running in the 2024 presidential election due to a defamation conviction. The two leaders reportedly disagreed on policy issues, including how to address Senegal's substantial public debt. Sonko's allies subsequently appointed him speaker of parliament, and he remains the leader of P
Must ReadIran's oil ministry announced on Saturday that it sold $18 billion worth of oil during the recent war and subsequent ceasefire with the United States. The ministry stated that $11.5 billion in oil was sold during the war and an additional $6.5 billion during the ceasefire, which ended earlier this month. This revenue accounts for over 60 percent of the oil revenues projected in the annual budget amidst the crisis. However, in late June, Iran's parliament speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, had indicated that Iran was unable to export oil due to a US blockade on its ports. The conflict began on February 28 following US-Israeli strikes on Iran, leading to Iranian retaliation against US allies. An April ceasefire largely halted the fighting, but hostilities resumed in early July as both sides contend for control of the Strait of Hormuz.