Cameroon Reaffirms Ban on Private University PhD Programmes

Cameroon’s Ministry of Higher Education has issued a new directive reinforcing that no private university or private higher education institution is authorised to offer PhD programmes, marking the government’s strongest stance yet in its ongoing effort to regulate doctoral training nationwide.

The announcement, signed by Minister of Higher Education Prof. Jacques Fame Ndongo on 13 April 2026, warns students and institutions that any doctoral degree obtained from a private or foreign‑partner programme operating in Cameroon will not be recognised by the state.

The communiqué comes amid what officials describe as a “proliferation of unauthorised doctoral training,” particularly through offshore partnerships and distance‑learning arrangements marketed by private institutions.

Government Declares All Private‑Sector PhDs Illegal

According to the Ministry, only state universities are permitted to run doctoral programmes. The directive states that:

• Private universities cannot admit, train, or graduate PhD candidates.
• Any institution currently offering such programmes is operating illegally.
• Students enrolled in these programmes risk obtaining non-recognised degrees.

Officials argue that doctoral training requires research infrastructure, accredited laboratories, and qualified supervisory staff, resources that most private institutions do not possess.

The Ministry says the ban is intended to protect academic standards and prevent students from investing in degrees that hold no value in the job market or public service.

Crackdown on “Offshore” and Foreign‑Affiliated PhDs

The 2026 directive also targets a growing trend: private institutions partnering with foreign universities to deliver PhD programmes locally.

The Ministry clarified that:

• No offshore PhD partnerships are currently authorised in Cameroon.
• Degrees obtained through such arrangements will not be validated.
• Institutions promoting these programmes may face sanctions.

This affects hundreds of students who had enrolled in foreign‑affiliated doctoral tracks delivered through local private institutions.

Students Face Uncertainty as Programmes Are Declared Invalid

The decision has immediate consequences for students pursuing doctoral studies outside the state university system. Degrees from private or offshore programmes will not be accepted for:

• Public service recruitment
• Academic promotions
• Professional advancement
• National credential recognition

Some students have expressed concern about tuition already paid, while others are seeking guidance on whether transfers to state universities will be possible.

State Universities Reopen PhD Admissions Under Strict New Rules

The renewed ban coincides with the government’s decision to reopen PhD admissions in state universities after a two‑year suspension. For the 2025/2026 academic year, the Ministry has capped admissions at 600 candidates nationwide, distributed across 11 public universities.

Under the new framework:

• Only holders of a Research Master’s degree may apply.
• Candidates must have a minimum grade of 12/20.
• Supervisors may oversee a maximum of three Cameroonian and two foreign doctoral students.
• Annual tuition is set at 50,000 FCFA for nationals.
• The state will cover supervision and thesis defence costs.

Officials say the reforms aim to strengthen research quality, reduce supervisory overload, and align doctoral training with international standards.

A Centralised Future for Doctoral Education

With the 2026 directive, Cameroon has effectively centralised all doctoral training within the public university system. Private universities may continue offering undergraduate and Master’s programmes, but doctoral education remains exclusively under state control.