Confession validates PREMIUM TIMES investigation alleging forged credentials submitted for ministerial appointment
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has admitted that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) never issued him the degree certificate in his possession.
This revelation corroborates the findings of a two-year investigation by PREMIUM TIMES, which concluded that the minister presented forged academic credentials to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
Background of Allegations
Mr Nnaji’s academic qualifications have been a subject of controversy since July 2023, when President Tinubu included his name among the first batch of 28 ministerial nominees sent to the Senate for confirmation.
Critics had long alleged that Mr Nnaji did not complete his studies at UNN and that both the bachelor’s degree certificate and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate he submitted were fabricated.
According to PREMIUM TIMES, extensive verification of the documents revealed that both credentials were “outright forgeries.”
Admission in Court Filings
The minister’s admission emerged in court filings in a case he instituted before Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
In the suit, Mr Nnaji sought orders to prevent UNN and its officials from “tampering with” his academic records and to compel the institution to release his transcript.
He also requested the Minister of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to use their supervisory powers to ensure compliance by the university.
Justice Yilwa, in a ruling on 22 September 2025, granted some of his prayers but declined to issue injunctive reliefs against the university. The matter was adjourned to 6 October 2025 for further hearing.
Sources close to the case said Mr Nnaji’s legal action aimed to block the university from releasing his academic history, particularly to the media, while seeking access to his transcript to “refresh his memory” of where he left off.
Minister’s Own Words
In his 34-paragraph affidavit, particularly paragraphs 12 and 13, the minister made a startling disclosure, confirming that he had never collected any certificate from the University of Nigeria.
He stated that he was admitted in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry, completed his programme in 1985, but had yet to collect his certificate due to what he described as the “non-cooperative attitude” of certain university officials.
He cited a letter dated 21 December 2023, purportedly issued by UNN Registrar Celine Nnebedum, confirming his graduation. However, that letter has since been discredited by the university authorities.
UNN Denies Nnaji’s Claim
In May 2025, Registrar Celine Nnebedum retracted her earlier letter in correspondence to the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), admitting that the university’s search of its 1985 graduation records showed no evidence of Mr Nnaji’s name.
Further, UNN Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Ortuanya, in a letter dated 3 October 2025 and addressed to PREMIUM TIMES, confirmed that Mr Nnaji did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree by the university.
A senior university official told the newspaper that:
“It is either some people in the records office were influenced or manipulated to cover up for him, or it was an honest mistake by the registry. The truth remains that Mr Nnaji never graduated from here. His file is intact and shows clearly where he dropped out.”
Forgery Allegations Resurface
By acknowledging that UNN never issued him a certificate, Mr Nnaji has effectively admitted to presenting forged documents — including his NYSC discharge certificate — to Nigerian authorities.
This raises critical questions:
If UNN did not issue him a degree, how did he obtain the certificate he submitted?
If he never graduated, how was he eligible for the NYSC programme he claims to have completed?
Ahead of his Senate screening on 1 August 2023, Mr Nnaji submitted 109 copies of a 10-page profile document describing him as “a visionary industrialist, oil and gas expert, construction giant, and pro-democracy activist.”
The attached documents included copies of his WAEC certificate, age declaration, tax clearance, and the alleged UNN degree and NYSC certificate — the two documents at the centre of the forgery scandal.
Minister Maintains Silence
Despite repeated efforts to obtain clarification, the minister has declined to speak publicly on the matter.
He ignored a detailed written enquiry sent by PREMIUM TIMES on 8 January 2024, acknowledged by his office on 18 January, and did not respond to multiple follow-up calls, emails, or messages.
Implications
Mr Nnaji’s admission has intensified calls for accountability within the government. Legal analysts note that his statement, if proven to confirm forgery, could have serious legal and ethical consequences, including disqualification from public office.
As the case resumes in court, the controversy continues to cast a shadow over the Tinubu administration’s pledge to uphold integrity and transparency in public service.
