Forgery Scandal: Tinubu’s Minister Uche Nnaji Admits UNN Never Issued Him Degree Certificate

The Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has admitted in court documents that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), never issued him a degree certificate, confirming earlier reports that questioned the authenticity of his academic credentials.

According to a report by Premium Times, the admission was contained in filings submitted by Nnaji before Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The minister had sued the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), the University of Nigeria, its Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Ortuanya, the Registrar, a former Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oguejiofor Ujam, and the university’s Senate.

In a verifying affidavit supporting his motion ex parte, Nnaji stated that he was admitted in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry and claimed to have completed the programme in 1985. However, he confessed that he never collected any certificate from the institution. Despite his claim of completion, he acknowledged that the university never issued him a degree certificate.

The controversy deepened after a letter dated December 21, 2023, signed by UNN Registrar Celine Nnebedum and sent to People’s Gazette, appeared to confirm Nnaji’s graduation. The university has since invalidated the letter. In a subsequent correspondence to the Public Complaints Commission in May 2025, Mrs Nnebedum stated that a search of UNN’s 1985 graduation records did not include Nnaji’s name.

Further confirming the discrepancy, Vice-Chancellor Ortuanya wrote to Premium Times on October 3, 2025, affirming that “Mr Nnaji did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree by the university.” A senior university official also revealed that Nnaji’s student file showed he had dropped out before graduation, suggesting the alleged forgery could have stemmed from manipulation or error within the records office.

The development corroborates findings by Premium Times that both the degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificates presented by Nnaji for his ministerial appointment were forged. The NYSC also reportedly confirmed that it has no record of issuing him a discharge certificate.

In his court motion, Nnaji requested orders preventing UNN from tampering with his academic records and compelling the release of his transcript. Justice Yilwa granted three of his prayers but declined to issue injunctive reliefs against the defendants. The case has been adjourned to October 6 for further hearing.