The once-venerated tradition of awarding honorary doctorate degrees by Nigerian Universities has, unfortunately, become the exclusive preserve of the highest bidder. This is one of the casualties of the country's complex social and political dynamics. The prestigious accolades, meant to celebrate and acknowledge individuals whose exceptional achievements and significant contributions have demonstrably impacted various fields and contributed to nation-building, have been co-opted and distorted, often awarded for reasons far removed from genuine merit. 

What was intended as a symbol of excellence has been twisted into a tool for social climbing, political patronage, and shallow pursuit of status. The erosion of integrity surrounding honorary doctorate awards in Nigeria has reached a critical point, moving beyond mere misapplication and descending into a disturbing display of moral compromise and institutional decay. The once-prestigious recognition, intended to celebrate extraordinary achievements and contributions to society, has been so thoroughly debased that it now often serves as a badge of shallow status, a transactional commodity, and, alarmingly, a validation of individuals whose actions actively undermine societal values. 

This erosion of credibility is further compounded by the increasing lack of transparency surrounding the selection process. The criteria for awarding these honors have become so nebulous and subject to manipulation that it often appears that decisions are made based on personal connections and financial inducements rather than demonstrable merit. This lack of transparency breeds cynicism and casts doubt on the integrity of the institutions themselves. The absence of publicly available guidelines and the seemingly arbitrary selection of recipients have transformed what was meant to be a celebration of excellence into a source of public ridicule. Moreover, the abuse of honorary doctorates further entrenches existing social inequalities. 

By conferring prestige upon the already privileged, these awards inadvertently contribute to the marginalization of those who have dedicated their lives to genuinely impactful work but lack the means or connections to access such accolades. It reinforces a skewed perception of success, where hard work, intellectual pursuit, and genuine community service take a back seat to political connections, financial clout, and the flaunting of superficial accomplishments. This has a chilling effect on the aspirations of young people who aspire to make a real difference but lack the means to engage in transactional relationships. 

The proliferation of these awards, often bestowed upon individuals lacking any demonstrable connection to academic excellence, community service, or significant contributions to nation-building, has transformed the process into a charade. The public perception of these awards has understandably plummeted, with many now viewing them as little more than a transactional exchange, a means to boost personal prestige or to curry favor with powerful figures. 

The once revered symbol of academic accomplishment has been reduced to a mere bauble, a trinket devoid of genuine meaning or significance. The institutions, by their actions, have diminished themselves, eroding public trust in their judgment and commitment to genuine merit. The fundamental purpose of an honorary doctorate degree is to recognize extraordinary accomplishments that have fundamentally-materially benefited society. It is to shine a spotlight on those who have pushed the boundaries of knowledge, driven innovation, or made substantial contributions to the betterment of humanity. 

Historically, these awards were conferred on scholars, scientists, artists, and philanthropists whose legacies were clearly tied to positive national development. These honorees served as inspiration, their achievements are testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and intellectual prowess. However, this noble tradition has been significantly ridiculed in Nigeria. However, the current landscape awards are bedeviled by political maneuvering and the display of crass materialism. It is increasingly common to see politicians, regardless of their actual accomplishments, receiving such honors - often in what appears to be blatant quid pro quo scenarios. 

Similarly, wealthy individuals, many of whom have gained their fortune through questionable means, are routinely bestowed with these honors, ostensibly for their "philanthropy," though it is often a display of their financial might. Even popular musicians and entertainers, whose contributions, while valued in their respective fields, do not necessarily align with the intended purpose of the award, are now recipients of honorary doctorate degrees. The erosion of the criteria for these awards has effectively devalued their significance, rendering them little more than participation trophies for the powerful and privileged.

The ramifications of this perversion of the essence of honorary doctorate go beyond the simple devaluation of an academic honor. It creates a culture where true merit is often overshadowed by political connections and financial clout. By elevating individuals who have not necessarily achieved significant accomplishments to a level of academic reverence, it sends a dangerous message to the youth and upcoming generations.  It means hard work, intellectual pursuit, and genuine contribution are no longer valued or perceived as the primary paths to success and recognition. Instead, a narrative is being reinforced that influence and wealth are more powerful currencies than demonstrated competence and societal benefit. 

Moreover, the misuse of honorary doctorates, just like many other situations in the country, inadvertently fuels social stratification and marginalization. By showering accolades on those who already possess power and influence, it effectively further entrenches their dominance, leaving out those who have dedicated their lives to genuinely impactful work. Those individuals who might have made significant impact but lack the means to 'buy' their honors are made to feel valueless, further impacting their motivation and contribution to nation building.

Beyond the well-documented issues of political patronage and the rewarding of wealth irrespective of merit, a particularly concerning trend is the bestowal of these honorary degrees upon individuals who openly promote immorality and unethical behavior. We now see figures who glorify materialism, promote hedonistic lifestyles, or engage in activities that are antithetical to the nation's ethical and moral fabric being lauded with these academic honors. 

This normalization of questionable behavior by academic institutions sends a chilling message to young people, implying that success, however achieved, is worthy of praise, even when it flies in the face of established values and responsible citizenship. By bestowing these awards on individuals who often actively contribute to societal breakdown, institutions betray their responsibility to uphold moral standards and instead become complicit in the promotion of detrimental behavior. This not only dilutes the prestige of the award, but also undermines the moral compass of society itself.

The Nigerian academic community must take a critical look at the state of awards of honorary doctorate degrees. A comprehensive overhaul of the process is urgently needed, one that prioritizes merit, demonstrable societal impact, and a commitment to upholding ethical standards. This requires a rigorous review of the criteria for these awards, a transparent selection process, and a firm commitment to preserving the integrity of academic recognition. Until these fundamental changes are made, the honorary doctorate degrees will continue to assume a symbol of institutional decay and a testament to the troubling prevalence of moral compromise within the Nigerian system.

What should be a beacon of excellence has, through abuse, become a marker of questionable values. The award process must be free from political influence and based solely on demonstrable merit and significant societal impact. It is time to reverse this disturbing trend and restore the honorary doctorate to its intended purpose: a prestigious recognition of true excellence and a catalyst for positive change, not a validation of dominance and an instrument of marginalization. Only then can it serve as a genuine beacon of inspiration for future generations.