By Vincent Egunyanga, Anthony Otaru, and David Lawani
A recent editorial by ThisNigeria, which dwelt on the bastardisation of PhD degrees in recent years, has provoked reactions in academic circles.
While an increase in advanced degree holders could suggest progress in higher education and knowledge dissemination, experts argue that this trend often hides a darker side.
As the critical editorial piece pointed out, in many cases, this proliferation is more related to questionable standards, unethical practices, and compromised quality than genuine academic achievement.
While some lecturers are alarmed by the circumstances surrounding many new PhD degrees, others point to instances where vulnerable lecturers, struggling with inadequate pay or a lack of opportunities, are enticed by financially capable students who wish to obtain their PhDs with minimal effort.
In his views, former vice-chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof Emmanuel Nwanze, said the proliferation of PhD degrees is outrageous, noting that it is a sad and sorry situation.
Nwanze said that not only has a PhD degree been bastardized, but the professorship award also calls for rigorous scrutiny.
He noted that neither the school system nor the National Universities Commission could change the situation because, according to him, the selection of vice-chancellors does not usually follow due process.
According to him, the country needs a rebirth, a revolution in everything, including the appointment of Vice Chancellors and even the appointment of the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Uyo, Prof Joseph Ushie, added that society is in general decay, saying what is happening in the ivory tower is a reflection of society.
Ushie, therefore, charged various universities with setting their standards, noting that the National Universities Commission (NUC) can do little about this development.
His counterpart from the Africa University of Economy, Prof Mahfouz Adedeji, said the proliferation of PhD degrees is a reality in Nigeria.
He reasoned that economic factors are responsible for many people acquiring PhD degrees.
“Most times, when people graduate from schools and after their first degree and could not get a job, may decide to proceed on their Master’s degree thereafter go on to obtain PhD degrees hoping that job opportunities may be available after graduation,” he said.
The varsity don disclosed that technology has also made it easy to read up to PhD level, pointing out that high educational attainment is no longer as tedious as it used to be due to technology.
Adedeji, however, said he would not rule out fake PhD holders, but he also noted the proliferation of churches and schools.
For her part, Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Ude, said it’s not just about acquiring a PhD; you should also be able to defend it.
Ude, a lecturer at the Odimegwu Ojukwu University, Nnewi, before his appointment by Governor Charles Soludo, said the honorary doctorate is not meant to get jobs.
She said, “It’s not a name; it’s just a nomenclature, an appellation, nothing more.”
The Dean of Social Sciences at Nile University, Prof May Nwoye, lamented that most PhD holders can’t even defend their certificates.
Nwoye recalled that before you qualify for a doctorate, you would have done lots of research and written a good thesis but regretted that these days’ people dub other people’s theses and submit them.
She observed that the proliferation of PhD degrees is due to Nigeria’s greater emphasis on paper qualifications.
She maintained that emphasis should be placed on the educational system of entrepreneurship, which emphasizes skill acquisition rather than paper qualification.
*’Vulnerable lecturers easily enticed by buoyant students’
An emeritus Professor of Economics, Sheriffdeen Tella, said lecturers are underpaid and, as such, could be vulnerable to accepting gifts from buoyant students who seek higher marks and grades
He said, “A situation where a Professor earns as low as N350,000 per month is uncalled for, so it’s easy to entice them with money and award underserved marks.”
He said unemployment is responsible for the increase in the number of students going to universities for higher degrees, which has allowed universities to increase their IGR.
He explained that the university’s poor funding has forced the ivory towers’ management to rely on funds from the high number of undergraduate students to provide necessary tools for postgraduate students, a situation he described as unfortunate.
He warned, “Our universities cannot continue to award undeserved PhD degrees without checks; such practices can water down the quality of the certificates.”
As a way forward, the erudite scholar called on the NUC to redefine its role in curriculum development and define the category of staff that can reach the level of the professorship.
He also called for the review of salaries of university staff as well.
On his part, Prof Adesoji Adesugba said that the erosion of standards in awarding PhD degrees is indeed a grave concern and one that threatens the integrity of our entire educational system.
He stressed, “The PhD, traditionally a symbol of rigorous intellectual achievement and dedication to research, should not be trivialized by the forces of financial or political influence. When such pressures take precedence, we risk undermining not only the value of the PhD itself but also the broader credibility of academia in Nigeria.”
Adesugba, a Professor in the Department of Geology and Mining at the University of Abuja, explained that to address this existential crisis, several measures must be taken, primarily by our regulatory authorities such as the National Universities Commission (NUC), alongside institutional reforms within universities.
He said, “Strengthening oversight and standards is key at this moment. The NUC needs to adopt stricter criteria and conduct regular audits to ensure that all PhD programmes meet high academic standards.”
Adesugba, who also serves as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Business Enterprises Skills and Technology Centre of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also suggested that regular, surprise inspections of PhD programmes could help uncover irregularities and those institutions found to compromise should face penalties.
“A merit-based system should be paramount, where degrees are awarded purely on academic grounds, supported by evidence of original research.
“Promoting transparency and accountability: Universities, both public and private, should be required to publish their admission processes, funding sources, and thesis evaluation criteria to guarantee transparency.
“This will also involve open peer reviews and establishing clear pathways for complaints and investigations. The involvement of international accrediting bodies could lend further credibility and pressure institutions to adhere to global standards.”
According to him, one of the biggest threats is political interference in the academic system. Establishing independent bodies within universities to oversee doctoral admissions and thesis evaluations can help insulate academic processes from political pressures.
