Court Dismisses Minister Uche Nnaji’s Attempt to Block UNN from Releasing Academic Records

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application by the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, seeking to prevent the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), from releasing his academic records.

Justice Hausa Yilwa delivered the ruling on September 22, rejecting the minister’s request for an injunction in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025. Nnaji had approached the court through an ex parte motion, asking that UNN be restrained from disclosing or altering his academic records. He also sought an order compelling the university to release his transcript.

After reviewing the motion, affidavits, and written submissions, the judge held that although the minister had sufficient interest in the case, the request to block the university from releasing his records could not be granted. Justice Yilwa ruled that only the first three prayers in the application were approved, while the fourth, which sought injunctive relief, was refused. The court clarified that its decision should not be interpreted as restricting any party from performing lawful duties.

In a subsequent letter dated October 2, 2025, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Professor Simon Ortuanya, stated that the university did not issue a certificate to Nnaji because he did not complete his studies. According to the letter, the institution’s records do not confirm that Nnaji, who was admitted as Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, graduated in July 1985 as claimed. The university reiterated that it could not have issued any certificate to him and that this stance was consistent with its earlier communication to the Public Complaints Commission in May 2025.

Court documents also revealed that Nnaji admitted he had not collected his degree certificate, despite having submitted one to the Senate during his ministerial screening in August 2023. He maintained that UNN had previously issued a letter confirming his graduation with a Second Class (Lower Division) in Microbiology/Biochemistry, though the university now disputes this claim.

The minister’s suit lists the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission, UNN, its Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, former Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Oguejiofor Ujam, and the university’s Senate as respondents.