By Chidimma Okwara,
The controversy surrounding the university degree certificate of Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, involves conflicting claims from the minister and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), alongside a pending court case.
Allegations and Investigation
Forgeries Alleged: Mr. Uche Nnaji is accused of presenting forged academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates during his ministerial screening by the Nigerian Senate in 2023.
UNN Disowns Certificate: The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has, in letters (e.g., in October 2025 and an earlier one in May 2025), disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate in Biochemistry and Microbiology which the Minister claimed to have obtained in July 1985. The university’s Vice-Chancellor reportedly stated that Mr. Nnaji did not complete his studies and was never issued a degree certificate.
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NYSC Discrepancies: The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has also reportedly disowned the discharge certificate presented by the Minister, citing inconsistencies like an invalid serial number and a signature of a corps official who had not yet assumed office at the stated time of issuance.
Court Admission: Reports indicate that in a court affidavit filed by the Minister, he admitted that UNN never physically issued him a degree certificate, claiming this was due to the “non-cooperative attitude” of university officials, though he insists he completed his studies.
The Minister’s Defense
Refutation of Forgery: The Minister, through his spokespersons, has vehemently refuted the allegations, describing them as “politically motivated” and part of a coordinated campaign.
Claim of Graduation: His media team insists that he is a proud alumnus of UNN, having graduated with a B.Sc. in Microbiology/Biochemistry, Second Class (Honours) Lower Division in July 1985.
Conflicting UNN Letter: The minister’s camp points to an earlier letter, dated December 21, 2023, purportedly from the UNN Registrar’s office, which confirmed his graduation in 1985. They question the subsequent letters from UNN disowning the certificate.
Court Action to Protect Records: The Minister has filed a lawsuit against UNN and others at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order of mandamus to compel the release of his academic transcript and to restrain the university from “tampering” with his academic records.
Court Case Status
Injunction Denied: The Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Hauwa Yilwa, declined to grant an interim injunction that would have stopped UNN from releasing or altering his academic records (an injunction the minister sought).
Case Adjourned: The court has, however, granted other reliefs, such as directing the Minister to put all respondents on notice, and has adjourned the hearing of the substantive suit to a later date, which was set for November 10, 2025.
The scandal has generated significant public pressure on President Bola Tinubu to address the forgery allegations against his cabinet member, with calls for the Minister’s removal or resignation.
The question is why is the president not saying anything about it?
