Minister Nnaji’s Alleged Diploma Fraud: Presidency to Act Post-Court Ruling

The Ongoing Controversy Surrounding Minister Uche Nnaji’s Academic Credentials

As pressure mounts on the minister of science, technology, and innovation, Uche Nnaji, to resign over allegations of certificate forgery, the Presidency has indicated that it will take action only after the court’s verdict. According to the official stance, there is no need for further comment since the matter is already under judicial review.

Reacting to inquiries from a media outlet, the special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasized that the federal government would respect the judicial process and await the court’s decision before taking any position. “This matter is already in court. We should await the verdict of the court,” he stated.

The clarification comes in the wake of revelations that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has disowned the certificate allegedly submitted by Nnaji. In a letter dated October 2, 2025, signed by the vice-chancellor of the university, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, the institution stated that records showed Nnaji, with matriculation number 1981/30725, was admitted to study Microbiology/Biochemistry in 1981 but did not complete his studies.

Part of the letter reads: “From every available record and information from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, we are unable to confirm that Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, the current minister of science and technology, graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985, as there are no records of his completion of study. Following the above, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka DID NOT and, consequently, COULD NOT have issued the purported certificate in July 1985 to Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji.”

The university noted that its position aligns with an earlier letter sent to the Public Complaints Commission on May 13, 2025, in response to a similar inquiry. However, in his filing before the court, Nnaji admitted that he had yet to collect his degree certificate from the university, attributing the delay to what he described as UNN officials’ “non-cooperative attitude.”

Despite this, calls have intensified from civil society organizations and opposition figures urging Nnaji to step aside pending the case’s conclusion. But the Presidency insists that due process must take its full course.

The Minister’s Response and Legal Actions

In a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the embattled minister denied the allegations of certificate forgery against him, calling on the university management to release his academic transcript. The minister claimed the allegations were politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing his reputation ahead of the 2027 governorship election in the state.

The minister, represented during the press conference by his special adviser (media), Dr. Robert Ngwu, presented a document claiming that he was admitted into the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) to study Microbiology/Biochemistry in 1981 and graduated in 1985 with second-class Honours, Lower Division.

The document, which was said to have come from the office of the Registrar of UNN, Dr. Mrs Celine Ngozi Nnebedum, signed by IAS Onyeador on behalf of the Registrar on December 21, 2023, stated: “This is to confirm that Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, registration number 1981/30725, was admitted in 1981 to study Microbiology/ Biochemistry at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology/ Biochemistry, Second Class (Hons) Lower Division.”

Ngwu added that the above document was the university’s official position, claiming that the document is still very much valid. He accused the then-acting vice chancellor and later the vice chancellor of orchestrating the purported new document, saying they were card-carrying members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) hired to do a hatchet job.

Court Proceedings and Legal Orders

The minister also sought legal redress by approaching the Federal High Court in Abuja in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, presided over by Justice HJ Yilwa. On September 22, 2025, the court granted a series of protective orders, including an injunction restraining the vice chancellor and the management of UNN from tampering or continuing to tamper with his academic records.

According to the minister, the second order was an order of Mandamus compelling the University to release his academic transcripts. A third order was a directive to the supervising authorities to ensure compliance through their disciplinary power.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 10 to hear a suit filed by Minister Nnaji against UNN. The proceedings in the case, filed by Nnaji over the controversy about his university certificate, could not go on before Justice Hauwa Yilwa because the counsel for UNN and its officers could not file their responses.

Calls for Action and Political Implications

In reaction to the certificate forgery matter, the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Anti-Corruption Committee, Prof. Babafemi Badejo, urged President Bola Tinubu to sack and initiate prosecution of the minister of science, technology, and innovation, Uche Nnaji. Prof. Badejo stated that the allegations against the minister pose a significant credibility challenge to the Tinubu administration.

The Enugu State Government has also denied sponsoring allegations of certificate forgery against the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, urging him to “carry his cross” and clear his name before Nigerians. In a press statement, the government recalled that Chief Nnaji had invited journalists to a world press conference on Monday at 2:00 p.m. to address the matter, but failed to show up.