No more honorary degrees for serving politicians 'VCs

The Association ofVice Chancellors ofNigerian Universities, on Monday in Abuja, released guidelines for the award of honorary degrees in Nigerian universities.The Secretary-General of the association, Professor Michael Faborode, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the guidelines would be effective from January.He said that the 27th conference of the association held at the Nasarawa State University had examined the general erosion of academic culture and tradition, adding that henceforth, these guidelines would be referred to as the 'Keffi Declaration.'Faborode said the 'Keffi Declaration' would reduce indiscriminate award of honorary degrees and restore the agelong university culture and tradition of best practices.'We have observed that the number of honorary degree awardees has become uncontrollably large, ranging from one to 20 in a single convocation ceremony and at times presented in absentia to surrogates.'We have also noted that most of these awards are based on wealth, political office, and position as a means of generating revenue with little or no consideration for integrity.'There's no consideration for contribution to the development of the university and no consideration for national development.'He said that the onward procedure for the award of honorary degrees enjoined universities to make it a policy not to bestow honorary degrees on any person holding political office while still in service.He further said that the guidelines and procedure for the selection of this degree recipients should be in accordance with the law and statute of the respective universities.According to Faborode, this should be in line with best practices and the selection process should be through the appropriate committee of the awarding university's Senate.
Click here to read full news..