Like Ghana, Ethiopia bans public use of ‘doctor’ title by honorary degree holders

Ethiopia has banned honorary doctorate holders from using the title of “doctor” outside the awarding institution.

Honorary doctorates are usually conferred on those who have made notable contributions to their professional fields.

These awards can be given to individuals or groups, whether living or deceased, as long as they meet the required criteria.

The new law was signed in July 2025 by Berhanu Nega, the country’s minister of education.

According to local media, the rule also bars serving government officials and political candidates from being nominated for honorary doctorates.

The ministry restricted recently established universities from conferring the distinction.

The country’s education minister said institutions must have graduated “at least eight cohorts of students and offer third degrees, such as PhDs, before awarding honorary doctorates”.

Under the new directive, institutions must first meet both national and international standards before awarding honorary doctorates.

Meanwhile, according to section two, article 10 of the directive, full-time employees, senate members, or administrative staff of higher education institutions are ineligible for nomination unless their affiliation with the institution has formally ended.

In June, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) banned individuals from flaunting honorary doctorate or professorship titles in public.

A statement signed by Augustine Ocloo, the GTEC acting deputy director-general, said the commission would begin naming, shaming, and taking legal action against anyone especially politicians, business people, and religious leaders, who disobey the directive.