A mild debate erupted on the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday over the use of the title “Doctor” by lawmakers who hold honorary academic degrees.
The concern was raised by Awaji-Inombek Abiante (PDP, Rivers) under a matter of personal explanation during plenary, where he called on the House to draw a clear line between honorary doctorates and doctoral degrees earned through formal academic research and study.
Mr Abiante’s intervention followed an earlier announcement by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who informed lawmakers of an honorary doctorate conferred on the Deputy Majority Leader, Abdullahi Halims (APC, Kogi), by Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State.
While congratulatory announcements of honorary awards are customary during plenary, Mr Abiante warned against equating such honours with earned doctoral qualifications.
“We should have a clear distinction between honorary degrees and a doctor of philosophy. They are two different things,” he said.
He noted that some lawmakers deliberately refrain from using the “Doctor” title despite holding earned degrees, out of respect for academic integrity.
“That is why some of us, when we stand up, do not introduce ourselves as Doctor this or Doctor that. I will not sacrifice my labour in the academic environment for someone who just got honoured,” Mr Abiante added.
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According to him, the National Assembly, as a symbol of national leadership, must uphold values that promote merit and excellence.
“This is an environment that should elevate the best of the best,” he said.
The plenary session was initially presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen before the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, later assumed the chair.
Responding to the concerns, Mr Kalu acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue and directed the House Committee on Rules and Business to examine the matter. He tasked the committee with reviewing existing parliamentary practices and making recommendations on how the House should formally distinguish between honorary doctorates and earned doctoral degrees in its proceedings and official records.
The debate comes against the backdrop of a recent policy directive by the National Universities Commission (NUC) aimed at curbing the misuse of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria.
