Reps Slam Honorary Doctorate Abuse: Not Real PhDs

By Linda Ike

The House of Representatives erupted Wednesday over public use of honorary doctorate titles after Deputy Majority Leader Hon. Abdullahi Halims received one from Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba.

Rivers lawmaker, Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante objected sharply as Speaker Hon. Tajudeen Abbas read the announcement and colleagues cheered Halims’ certificate display.

Abiante warned against blurring honorary awards with earned PhDs: “They are not the same thing… Some of us who laboured academically avoid unearned titles to preserve integrity.”

Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu validated concerns, directing the Rules and Business Committee to review guidelines on members’ honorary title usage.

The clash highlights Nigeria’s heated debate: honorary degrees honor service but lack coursework or research, with critics saying “Dr” titles by politicians erode earned PhDs’ value