Titles carry weight in every society. They are markers of recognition, symbols of achievement, and sometimes, tokens of vanity. In Nigeria, however, the fascination with titles has too often tipped into obsession. From chieftaincy honours to national awards and now the proliferation of honorary doctorates, the hustle for recognition has become a cultural industry in itself. These titles are not the problem – societies across the world confer distinctions to honour individuals who have contributed meaningfully to the common good. The danger however arises when they are used carelessly, bestowed for political favour or financial gain, and allowed to substitute for the steady, rigorous path of scholarship. When that happens, it ceases to be an honour and begins to corrode the very institution meant to bestow it.

The academic doctorate is regarded as the pinnacle of intellectual pursuit and the result of years of discipline, research, and defence of original knowledge. It is not a certificate of attendance but of perseverance and contribution. The honorary doctorate by contrast was designed as a symbolic gesture, celebrating those who outside academia, have made exceptional contributions to the society. Yet in practice, Nigerian universities have blurred this line so much that many recipients now casually adopt the “Dr.” prefix, erasing the word “honorary” altogether. This create a deception that confuses the public and diminishes the honour itself.