Honorary doctorate holders in Ethiopia will no longer be permitted to use the title “Doctor” outside the awarding institution, under a new directive issued by the Ministry of Education.

Signed by Minister of Education Berhanu Nega in July 2025, the rules also bar serving government officials and political candidates from being nominated for honorary doctorates.

The directive further restricts recently established universities from conferring the distinction. Institutions must have graduated at least eight cohorts of students and offer third degrees, such as PhDs, before awarding honorary doctorates.

Universities, which do not meet these criteria, are prohibited from granting the title. Institutions must also comply with both national and international standards before doing so.

Honorary doctorates may be awarded to Ethiopian or foreign nationals who have made significant contributions to their professional fields. They can be granted to individuals or groups, living or deceased, if they meet the stated criteria.

Under Section Two, Article 10, the directive prohibits nominations for full-time employees, Senate members or administrative staff of higher education institutions, unless their direct relationship with the institution has ended. (Birr Metrics)