Year: 2026

The Federal Government on Wednesday banned recipients of honorary degrees from prefixing “Dr” to their names in official, academic, or professional usage.

It declared that the use of the title by such recipients constitutes a misrepresentation of academic credentials, which will henceforth be treated as academic fraud, with attendant legal and reputational consequences.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while briefing State House correspondents on two Federal Executive Council approvals that had not been announced at the last cabinet meeting, which held on April 30.

Alausa, who appeared alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Ahmad, said the FEC approved a uniform policy for the award and use of honorary degrees by Nigerian universities.

The policy, he explained, is designed to end what he described as decades of indiscriminate conferral of degrees for political patronage and financial gain, and to restore public confidence in the integrity of academic titles.

The minister said recent developments in the award of honorary degrees have exposed widespread abuse and increasing politicisation of what should be a prestigious academic recognition.

He noted that such honours have been used for political patronage and financial benefits, including being conferred on serving public officials, a practice he said contradicts established ethical standards guiding honorary awards.

Under the new directive, recipients of honorary degrees are no longer permitted to prefix “Dr” to their names.

Instead, they are required to indicate the honorary nature of the award by placing the full designation after their names.

The minister gave examples of acceptable formats, including the use of titles such as “Chief Louis Clark, D.Lit. (Doctor of Literature, Honoris Causa)” and “Mrs Miriam Adamu, LL.D. Hons.”

He explained that the format is intended to clearly distinguish honorary awards from earned academic qualifications.

Alausa added that presenting honorary degrees as earned academic credentials will now be classified as academic fraud, with possible legal and reputational consequences.

The policy also limits the categories of honorary degrees that Nigerian universities can confer to four specific types: Doctor of Laws (LL.D), Doctor of Letters (D.Lit), Doctor of Science (D.Sc), and Doctor of Humanities (D.Arts).

It further stipulates that only universities with active PhD programmes are eligible to confer honorary degrees.

The minister said the measure is aimed at curbing the rising trend of relatively new institutions awarding honorary doctorates without established postgraduate research structures.

He added that all honorary awards must clearly include the designation “honorary” or “Honoris Causa” on certificates and in all official references.

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(BACSAAN National President, Haj Fasasi Muhammad Jamiu with the Hon. Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development at the 2024 Meeting of the National Council on Housing in Gombe)

(BACSAAN Leader, Haj Fasasi with the organisation’s National Director of Operations

By Danladi Ahmed
Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The Builders, Construction and Skilled Artisans Association of Nigeria (BACSAAN) has  commended the former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa for being friendly and helpful to Artisans during his tenure.

Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa
served as minister from 2023 until his replacement in a cabinet reshuffle on April 21, 2026 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

BACSAAN National President, Haj. Fasasi Mohammed Jamiu gave the commendation on Tuesday during a visit to BACSAAN Headquarters by Artisans from Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Haj Fasasi noted that Arc. Dangiwa’s tenure brought significant recognition to Nigerian Artisans as he involved BACSAAN leaders and members in several activities of the Ministry.

‘We attended and made significant contributions to the Meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development held in Gombe in 2024 during which we interacted productively with the Minister and other stakeholders,” the BACSAAN President said.

Haj. Fasasi disclosed that the Council’s meeting held early this year in Ilorin was even more remarkable for BACSAAN, as the Association’s Memo requesting empowerment opportunities for Artisans was adopted by Council.

He commended Arc. Dangiwa for strengthening the relationship between BACSAAN, as the umbrella body for all Artisans in Nigeria.

Haj Fasasi said BACSAAN members across the country would continue to hold Arc. Dangiwa in high esteem and would be willing to support him in any of his future endeavours.

”The former Minister’s interaction with BACSAAN followed President Tinubu declared resolve to empower the downtrodden artisans across the country,” Fasasi noted.

Flowerbudnews reports that Arc. Dangiwa has since been succeeded by Dr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma (Flowerbudnews)

By Frank Meke

In the past year, the tourism industry has witnessed the emergence of what can best be described as “shadow boxing” experts—individuals more invested in self-validation than in the genuine growth and development of the sector. They strive to appear impactful, yet often lack the depth of thought required to drive meaningful progress.

It is easy to forget that every great journey begins with deliberate steps. Growth is not a competition, nor is it measured by comparison with others; it is ultimately defined by the legacy one builds over time.

Breaking my deliberate silence on industry matters, I was compelled last night to reflect on a report indicating that the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria had advised its member groups to boycott the ongoing industry competency exercise and registration regime spearheaded by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism—a statutory initiative backed by law. The justification, reportedly, was the absence of adequate stakeholder engagement.

Curious, I examined the advisory to see whether the Federation had articulated the potential short- and long-term benefits of NIHOTOUR’s regulatory initiative. Unfortunately, it appeared more like an exercise in shadow boxing—what Apostle Paul once described as “beating the air.”

The prolonged back-and-forth between the Federation and regulatory authorities reflects a troubling trend: the pursuit of perfection in policy matters through agitation rather than constructive engagement. Even if we assume that the Honourable Minister advised broader stakeholder consultations and that such efforts did not meet the Federation’s expectations, one must ask: where is the wisdom in urging members to reject a legally binding initiative without fully exploring opportunities for a mutually beneficial outcome?

With both NIHOTOUR and the Federation headquartered in Abuja, meaningful engagement should not be difficult. If “Mohammed cannot go to the mountain,” must the mountain not be moved closer to Mohammed?

In her 1929 essay *A Room of One’s Own*, Virginia Woolf cautioned against the relentless pursuit of external validation. Her words—“No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but yourself”—underscore the importance of thoughtful reflection over performative action. In the context of our industry, they remind us that genuine growth is rooted in dialogue, not noise.

Contrary to claims of exclusion, there is evidence that NIHOTOUR has engaged stakeholders across the sector. Notably, as recently as yesterday, a group of restaurant operators met with the Institute and formalized their support for the initiative, recognizing the need for a credible register of practitioners and organizations within the industry.

Given the sector’s vast diversity and its long-standing lack of structured entry and exit frameworks, regulatory reform should be welcomed as a necessary step forward. It is concerning that, rather than championing such progress, the Federation appears quick to mobilize resistance.

To its credit, the Federal Government—through NIHOTOUR—has made considerable efforts to clarify the legal and operational framework guiding the industry. While no policy is perfect, forward-thinking stakeholders typically embrace reform as a foundation for improvement, contributing constructively to its refinement over time.

The true strength of industry players lies not in issuing threats or engaging in rhetorical battles, but in sustained, sincere dialogue with government. Encouragingly, NIHOTOUR has continued to deepen its relationship with member associations, even appointing respected industry figures to lead reform efforts. What more meaningful form of engagement could there be than entrusting our own to drive change?

It is therefore imperative that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, alongside the National Assembly of Nigeria, provides increased budgetary support to key institutions such as the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority and NIHOTOUR. This should form the cornerstone of advocacy efforts within the sector, rather than resistance to regulatory advancement.

Ironically, the current NIHOTOUR regulatory framework traces its origins to one of the Federation’s own leaders—a former Vice President (North West) who once headed the Institute. It is therefore puzzling that the Federation now appears to be at odds with a legacy shaped, in part, by its own ranks.

One cannot help but wonder: is there more to this conflict than meets the eye?

UNFPA urges Sokoto students to pursue midwifery careers

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has begun sensitising secondary school students to consider studying nursing and midwifery as career choices for their future across Sokoto State in northern Nigeria.

Mrs Jamila Gatawa, UNFPA Desk Officer in the Sokoto State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, said this during a guidance and counselling talk for adolescent schoolgirls in Sokoto.

Gatawa, also Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department, emphasised that marriage should never prevent girls from getting an education; insisting opportunity and learning must remain accessible to every girl.

“Educated women are the backbone of every healthy society, especially in the healthcare sector. No girl should be denied the chance to learn and succeed,” she said.

She announced that UNFPA, with support from the European Union EU-SARAH Project, would provide scholarships to 500 women and girls under the Community Midwifery Scholarship and Bonding Scheme initiative in Sokoto.

She emphasised that sourcing skilled birth attendants within each community would address worker shortages, noting that importing personnel from other areas often undermined service delivery and limited effective healthcare access locally.

“The two-year initiative was designed for rural areas, hard reach and security affected communities across Sokoto state where deployments of healthcare workers from urban centers become challenges in Sokoto.

“This is a golden opportunity for young women who want to build careers and serve their communities,” she added, pledging government support to ensure fairness and transparency in selecting beneficiaries process.

Earlier, Chairman of the Ward Development Committee, Dr Aliyu Bala-Gadanga, said more young women were needed in the profession to tackle maternal and infant deaths across communities in Sokoto State.

“Midwifery is a noble profession, respected and rewarding, by becoming midwives, you will help save mothers and babies while building a secure future for yourselves,” he told the students.

Bala-Gadanga said that many women still die from complications such as prolonged labour, bleeding, high blood pressure and unsafe abortion, and lauded UNFPA for championing the campaign theme in 2026 widely.

UNFPA Programme Assistant, Mr Benedict Essong, said the programme aimed to reduce maternal deaths, end gender-based violence and help young people reach their full potential through education and health interventions nationwide.

Essong urged students to study hard and meet required subject combinations for admission into midwifery programmes, while stakeholders called for stronger support for girls’ education and increased enrollment in health-related courses.

A lecturer, Malama Rabi Sani, outlined admission requirements and encouraged focus, saying, “Midwifery is more than a career, it is service to humanity. Your communities need you,” he said.

Our Correspondent reports events, held at Government Girls’ College and Hafsatu Ahmadu Bello Model Arabic Secondary School, marked World Midwives’ Day with discussions on family planning and healthcare.

Afrobeats star, Davido Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has inaugurated a 43-man youth committee to drive the re-election campaign of his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

At a brief event held in Ede on Tuesday, Davido also announced he would be taking a two-month break from music to focus on the campaign.

The committee, christened the Imole Youth Campaign Mobilisation Team, is chaired by Davido, with coordinators appointed across the three senatorial districts, nine federal constituencies, the 30 local government areas, and the Modakeke Area Office to lead grassroots mobilisation.

Speaking before unveiling the team, Davido urged members to embark on door-to-door campaigns and promote the governor’s achievements.

“I have put my musical career on hold for two months to come and work for my uncle. Not only because he is my uncle, but because he is doing a good job, and he has major things to do—the job is not done.

We are all here to support him to win the election with our influence. This is one of the most important committees because it has to do with youth.

“Let’s do door-to-door mobilisation across all local governments, showcasing what the governor has done and what he plans to do. Let’s engage people in our communities and connect them with the governor’s work,” he said.

According to a statement by the campaign team, the Imole Campaign Council Youth Committee has Adeshina Kayode Olododo as Vice Chairman and Gbenga Idowu as Secretary, alongside coordinators across federal constituencies.

The electorate in Osun State is expected to go to the polls on August 15 to elect a governor, with three major contenders in the race.

Governor Ademola Adeleke, seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party, faces challenges from Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress and Dr Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress

The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has advised its member associations not to participate in the ongoing Competency-Based Interview (CBI) and registration exercise organised by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), citing non-compliance with government directives.
The advisory, issued on May 5, 2026, and signed by FTAN National President, Dr. Aliyu Ajayi Badaki, stated that the exercise contravenes instructions from the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa.
FTAN said NIHOTOUR commenced the registration and certification programme without concluding stakeholder consultations as directed by the ministry. The institute’s Director-General, Dr. Abisoye Fagade, had earlier invited some member associations to participate in the exercise through a letter dated April 30, 2026.
According to the federation, the ministry had mandated NIHOTOUR to engage the organised private sector and address concerns surrounding its enabling law before implementing any certification process. It described the institute’s action as premature and inconsistent with that directive.
The federation therefore urged its members to abstain from the exercise until all outstanding issues related to the law are resolved and a consensus is reached through proper stakeholder engagement.
FTAN reiterated its commitment to working with government agencies to promote tourism development but stressed that such collaboration must be inclusive and guided by clear agreements. It also called for unity among its members in upholding the federation’s position on the matter.