Abuja — Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has admitted in court filings that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) never issued him a degree certificate — a revelation that strengthens long-standing allegations of certificate forgery.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

What Nnaji Admitted

• In legal documents submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja, Nnaji acknowledged that although he claimed to have graduated in 1985 with a BSc in Microbiology/Biochemistry from UNN, he never collected any degree certificate from the university.
• He attributed the non-collection to what he described as a “non-cooperative attitude” by UNN and relevant officials.
• Earlier, in 2023, a letter from UNN’s Registrar had claimed Nnaji graduated in 1985, but that assertion has since been withdrawn.
• The Vice Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, confirmed in a letter in October 2025 that Nnaji did not complete his studies and that no record shows he was awarded a degree.

Forged Credentials & NYSC Certificate Under Scrutiny

This admission aligns with findings by investigative media, which have long claimed that both the degree and NYSC discharge certificates Nnaji presented for his ministerial appointment are forged.

• Premium Times’ forensic review of the NYSC document revealed chronological inconsistencies — such as the wrong signature, date overlap with university studies, and titles not used at the time.
• The NYSC later confirmed it has no record of issuing a discharge certificate to Nnaji.

Legal Battle & the Court Decision

Nnaji had approached the court seeking to restrain UNN from tampering with his academic records and to compel the release of his transcripts.

• Justice Hauwa Yilwa granted some of his requests but denied an injunction that would block the university from disclosing or handling his academic documents.
• The case is adjourned to October 6 for further hearings.

Public and Political Reactions

The revelations have unleashed strong reactions across Nigeria’s political and civic spectrum:

• Peter Obi, a prominent opposition leader, described certificate forgery as a “serious criminal offence” and called for immediate accountability. Some analysts say the scandal weakens the moral credibility of the administration and demands institutional response from bodies like the National Universities Commission (NUC) and SSS.

Why This Matters

• Trust & legitimacy: A minister admitting his credentials are not genuine undermines the public trust in leadership.
• Rule of law: The case tests whether educational and security institutions will enforce penalties for forgery among high officials.
• Precedent: If consequences are delayed or ignored, it may normalize academic deceit in public appointments.