The Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has acknowledged that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), never issued him a degree certificate.This confession follows a two-year investigation revealing forgery of his university and NYSC certificates.
The controversy started when Premium Times uncovered discrepancies in Nnaji’s academic records, including claims that he forged both his degree and National Youth Service Corps discharge certificates.
Despite being admitted to UNN in 1981, official university records show no evidence that Nnaji completed his studies or graduated in 1985 as his certificate claims.
In response, UNN’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, issued a letter dated October 2, 2025, stating the university has no record confirming Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji’s graduation. The letter explicitly disowned the certificate currently presented by the minister, adding that the university could not have issued such a certificate.
Nnaji, confirmed as minister on August 7, 2023, was appointed to lead the newly created Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology. Amid the growing controversy, he filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to prevent UNN from “tampering” with his academic records and demanding release of his transcript. Nnaji conceded that although he completed his studies in 1985, the university never formally awarded him a degree certificate.
The revelation that Nnaji never received a formal degree certificate from UNN has put his ministerial appointment under intense scrutiny. Nigerians await the court’s decision on the pending suit and further investigations by government oversight bodies.
Leave a comment