Titles are much more than just prefixes in Nigeria, they are powerful symbols of respect, recognition, and influence.

Renowned Nigerian author late Peter Enahoro has often pondered the intricacies of Nigerian culture, especially the fixation on titles. Enahoro emphasised in his writings how titles are highly valued by Nigerians as markers of authority and status. In his book “How to Be a Nigerian”, “In Nigeria, there is no such thing as a man who is not a Chief, or a man who is not a professor, or a man who is not a doctor. Titles are essential to the Nigerian way of life, like clothes to a man’s body. Sir, Prince, Double Chief, High Chief, Otunba and various constructs form the “palace” are now commonplace. The doctorate sic (Ph.D), sic (Dr.) has become the latest victim of this appetite for titles. Like Shakespearian “thieves dressed in borrowed robes” these “underservings” preen and prance around in togas of degrees they have not earned. To the chagrin of the Ph.D holder they are worn, admired, and often regarded as equal of the genuine academic.

There is a dark side to these pretentions. With the craving for titles has resulted a troubling phenomenon, the erosion of their true value. The academic title “Dr.” once a mark of intellectual rigour and significant scholarly contribution has increasingly been reduced to mere symbolism, a caricature of prestige, sought more for status than expertise. In this universe, Nigeria’s obsession with titles has fostered an environment where pseudo-intellectuals thrive, using honorary or questionable credentials to prize open doors to rooms where they don’t belong. The growing currency of pseudo-titles has blurred the distinction between people who are truly experts and those who just wear the titles as mantles of authority. This tendency is not unique to Nigeria, but has particular resonance in a society that is deeply structured around hierarchies and where recognition is more frequently linked to titles than to merit.

The appellation “Dr. Rubbish,” accurately describes the abuse and falsification of academic credentials, arises against this background. In addition to diminishing the prestige of the title “Dr.,” these pseudo-intellectuals also erode confidence in intellectual discourse. Like a rash their ascent is representative of a broader crisis: populist optics and sensationalism are replacing intellectual rigour, a trend that endangers Nigeria’s public discourse and decision-making quality.a

Nigeria’s public discourse increasingly suffers from the dominance of “armchair quarterbacks” individuals who, without adequate knowledge or experience, offer loud opinions on complex subjects. While public debates thrive on diverse perspectives, these pseudo-experts tend to overshadow more qualified voices, steering conversations toward emotional rather than rational conclusions. A glaring example can be found in the ongoing discourse around Nigeria’s economic policies. Self-proclaimed experts, often flaunting dubious “Dr.” titles, dominate conversations on issues such as the naira’s valuation or subsidy reforms. Their narratives, though populist and appealing, often lack empirical rigour, leaving the public confused rather than informed. This behaviour mirrors trends in other countries where charismatic pseudo-economists have swayed public opinion with misleading yet accessible oversimplifications often to disastrous ends. Recently a similar dynamic played out in critical areas of public life. During the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation was rife as individuals with questionable expertise amplified anti-vaccine rhetoric. In Nigeria, several “experts” without credible scientific grounding spread baseless claims about the virus and vaccines, further eroding trust in public health efforts. The consequences were devastating, with vaccine hesitancy prolonging the pandemic’s impact.

There is an even more ominous sign that things have truly gone out of whack in Nigeria. Enabled by easily obtained licences to operate universities, “educational entrepreneurs” of every shade proceed to award and occasion, sell these dubious degrees to willing, self-serving public. Unfortunately, the unregulated award of honorary degrees mixed with this cultural reverence has spurred the proliferation of fake or honorary PhDs.

Honorary doctorates, while legitimate when awarded for exceptional contributions, have become tools for self-promotion both for institutions and individuals. Many recipients misuse these degrees to project undeserved authority in fields they know little about. Worse still, some individuals outright purchase counterfeit PhDs or claim credentials from unaccredited institutions. Universities that can barely staff their undergraduate faculties within five years of commencing operations proceed to award advance degrees. Internet universities, both fake and real, have not helped. Anyone can start an online university. In this unregulated environment fraud thrives.

Consider the case of a senior government official in Nigeria who, in 2020, was exposed for presenting a fake doctoral degree from a questionable foreign institution. While this is alarming, it is part of a broader trend. Across Africa and even globally, fraudulent academic credentials have surfaced in high places. In Kenya, investigations revealed that several politicians held degrees from dubious universities, raising questions about their competence and character. The fallout is severe. Genuine scholars, who dedicate years to rigorous study and research, find themselves competing with those who take shortcuts. Public trust in academic institutions is diminished, and intellectual rigour is sacrificed at the altar of undeserved self-aggrandisement.

The rise of pseudo-intellectualism in Nigeria has profound consequences for policy-making, public discourse, and societal progress. A key driver of this trend is the allure of populism, crafting narratives that resonate emotionally rather than factually. During the COVID-19 crisis, misinformation about vaccines wasn’t unique to Nigeria but took on particularly dangerous forms. Self-styled “experts” downplayed the pandemic’s seriousness or peddled conspiracy theories, undermining the efforts of credible health professionals. Globally, we’ve seen similar cases, such as the anti-vaccine movements in the United States, where misinformation led to measles outbreaks in communities that had previously eradicated the disease. In Nigeria, such patterns extend to debates about education reforms, public infrastructure, and even environmental policy. Individuals with no background in education pontificate on curriculum restructuring, while others dismiss climate change as a foreign agenda, ignoring evidence of its impacts on Nigeria’s agricultural sector. These misinformed debates derail progress and obscure the real challenges that demand solutions.

Reversing this troubling trend requires a collective shift in priorities, starting with a recommitment to academic and intellectual integrity, and anticorruption as a whole. Nigerian universities must strengthen their doctoral programmes by upholding stringent guidelines and ensuring that only deserving candidates earn PhDs. Rigorous supervision, robust anti-plagiarism measures, and an emphasis on original research are essential to protect the value of academic credentials. Beyond institutional reforms, there must be accountability for presenting fraudulent credentials. Government and professional bodies have a critical role in vetting qualifications, especially for individuals in public and leadership positions. Transparency measures, such as public databases of honorary degrees, can help distinguish genuine achievements from hollow accolades.

Equally important is a cultural shift in how Nigerians view titles. The public must learn to value substance over form, prioritising expertise and intellectual contributions rather than being swayed by impressive-sounding prefixes. The media must promote accepted international convention and proper etiquette. An Honorary degree holder does not by convention announce him or herself as “doctor”. Poorly educated EMCEES are particularly guilty of this FAUX PAS. In an attempt to earn their keep they pile unsolicited titles on the “unsuspecting VIPs”. These anomalies need urgent redress.

The media platforms and public forums should spotlight qualified voices and implement fact-checking measures to counter the spread of misinformation. True intellectualism thrives on curiosity, humility, and the pursuit of truth. Nigerian scholars and professionals must embody these values by engaging only in areas where they possess genuine expertise and resisting the temptation to chase popularity through populist narratives. By valuing credibility and holding themselves to higher standards, they can help restore public trust in academic and professional discourse.

The rise of “Dr. Rubbish” in Nigeria reflects deeper societal challenges, from the pursuit of unearned status to the erosion of intellectual rigour. Yet, this challenge also presents an opportunity. By fostering a culture that values truth, integrity, and expertise, Nigeria can reclaim the prestige of academic titles and restore faith in intellectual discourse. Globally, intellectualism is under threat from the twin forces of populism and pseudo-expertise.

But Nigeria, with its rich history of scholarly excellence, can lead the way in redefining what it means to hold the title of “Dr.”, a symbol not of empty status but of meaningful contributions to knowledge and society.

Dr. Georgewill is a Visiting Scholar and Strategic Planning Consultant at the Center for Public Policy Alternatives (CPPA)