Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Admits University Never Issued Him a Degree
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has publicly admitted that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) never issued him a degree certificate. This revelation came amid ongoing scrutiny surrounding his academic credentials, which have been questioned since he was appointed to his current position in 2023.
Background on the Allegations
Since July 2023, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu named Mr. Nnaji among the first batch of ministerial nominees, allegations of certificate forgery have surrounded him. Critics claimed that the bachelor’s degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate he presented to various government offices were forged. These claims were further fueled by reports from a two-year investigation, which suggested that UNN did not issue the documents he submitted during his ministerial confirmation.
Mr. Nnaji has now addressed these allegations for the first time, confirming that UNN never issued him any certificate. His admission was made through court filings in a case he initiated against several university officials and authorities.
Legal Proceedings
In a lawsuit filed before Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Mr. Nnaji sought an order prohibiting UNN and its officials from tampering with his academic records. He also requested a mandamus to compel the release of his academic transcript and an interim injunction to prevent further interference with his records.
Justice Yilwa granted three of the prayers but denied the injunctive order. The case was adjourned to October 6 for further proceedings.
University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)
According to those familiar with the matter, Mr. Nnaji initiated the legal action to prevent the university from releasing details of his academic history to anyone, including media outlets like PREMIUM TIMES. It is also believed that he seeks a transcript to refresh his memory about where he left his studies.
In paragraphs 12 and 13 of his verifying affidavit, Mr. Nnaji revealed that the university admitted him in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry and that he completed the program and graduated in 1985. However, he also confirmed that he never collected his certificate due to the non-cooperative attitude of university officials.
A letter dated December 21, 2023, issued by the UNN Registrar, Celine Nnebedum, stated that Mr. Nnaji graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology/Biochemistry. However, this letter was later invalidated after the university could not find his name in its 1985 graduation records.
University Officials’ Statements
The UNN Vice-Chancellor, Simon Ortuanya, confirmed in a letter dated October 3, 2025, that Mr. Nnaji did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree. A senior university official told PREMIUM TIMES that the institution investigated the matter and concluded that either some staff in the records office were influenced or it was a sincere mistake.
The official added: “The truth of the matter is that he never graduated from here. His file is intact. It contains details up to the point where he dropped out.”
Silence from the Minister
Despite multiple attempts to obtain his comments, Mr. Nnaji has remained silent. He ignored a detailed written enquiry sent by this newspaper on January 8, 2024, which his office acknowledged as received. He also refused to answer or return repeated follow-up calls, messages, and emails seeking his response to the findings.
Unanswered Questions
Mr. Nnaji’s admission that UNN never issued him a degree raises critical questions. If the university did not issue him a certificate, where and how did he obtain the document he submitted to Nigerian authorities? Additionally, if he never earned a degree, how did he qualify for the NYSC program?
Ahead of his ministerial screening on August 1, 2023, Mr. Nnaji submitted at least 109 copies of a 10-page profile document to the Senate Clerk’s office. The document included his claimed educational qualifications, work experience, and other relevant certificates.
Among the documents were copies of his supposed UNN Bachelor of Science degree and NYSC Certificate of National Service. These have been the focus of an extensive investigation.
Now that Mr. Nnaji has admitted that UNN never issued him a degree, the question remains: how did he come into possession of the certificate he submitted to Nigerian authorities?
