6 Oct 2025
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When Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology of Nigeria filed court papers on October 5, 2025, he confirmed what investigators had been shouting about for two years: the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) never issued him a degree. The admission turns a simmering forgery scandal into a courtroom drama that could reshape how Abuja vets its top officials.
Background of the Ministerial Appointment
President Bola Tinubu announced his first cabinet in May 2023, naming Uche Nnaji among 28 ministers from 25 states. The Senate’s confirmation hearings in July 2023 required each nominee to present academic credentials, a NYSC discharge letter, and a declaration of integrity. Nnaji’s dossier listed a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology/Biochemistry, Second Class (Lower Division), supposedly conferred in July 1985.
Discovery of the Forgery Claims
In early 2023, the investigative team at Premium Times began cross‑checking the minister’s claims against UNN’s graduation rolls. Their two‑year probe uncovered a glaring mismatch: the university’s 1985 convocation brochure made no mention of Nnaji, and its registrar’s archives showed no graduation record for registration number 1981/30725.
The story gained traction when the Vice‑Chancellor Simon Ortuanya wrote to the newspaper on October 3, 2025, stating, "Mr Nnaji did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree by the university." That single sentence set off a cascade of revelations.
Legal Proceedings and Admissions
Faced with mounting pressure, Nnaji sued the National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN, and several senior officials, alleging defamation. In his filing, he admitted, "I never received a degree certificate from UNN," effectively confirming the Premium Times findings.
Earlier, Registrar Celine Nnebedum had written to the Public Complaints Commission in May 2025, noting that a thorough search of the 1985 records produced no trace of Nnaji’s name. A senior UNN official added, "His file is intact up to the point where he dropped out. Either someone manipulated the records, or it was a sincere mistake by the registry."
Reactions from Government and Academia
Opposition figures were quick to weigh in. An aide to former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar demanded that President Tinubu dismiss Nnaji and authorize prosecution for the alleged use of forged certificates.
Within the Ministry, spokesperson Dr. Robert Ngwu tried to salvage the narrative, claiming, "Chief Nnaji is a proud alumnus of UNN, having obtained his degree in 1985," and cited a December 2023 letter allegedly signed by Registrar "Mrs. I.A.S. Onyeador." However, Sahara Reporters later declared that letter invalid, deepening the controversy.
Implications for Nigeria’s Vetting Process
The scandal throws a bright spotlight on the Senate’s credential‑verification system. Critics argue that the lack of a centralized academic database forced lawmakers to rely on self‑served documents, a loophole that can be—and apparently was—exploited.
Experts at the Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC) in Abuja say the incident could trigger legislative reforms, including mandatory electronic verification with the NUC and real‑time access to university records.
Next Steps and Upcoming Press Conference
According to an invitation sighted by Premium Times, Nnaji is slated to address the allegations at a press conference on Monday, October 6, 2025, 2:00 p.m., at the RMRDC headquarters in the Maitama District of Abuja. The agenda lists “Clarification of Academic Credentials” as the sole item, suggesting that Nnaji hopes to offer a public explanation before the courts deliver a verdict.
- October 5, 2025 – Nnaji’s court filing admits no UNN degree.
- October 3, 2025 – UNN Vice‑Chancellor confirms Nnaji never graduated.
- May 2025 – Registrar Nnebedum reports missing records to PCC.
- July 2023 – Nnaji’s credentials presented during Senate confirmation.
Whether the upcoming briefing will calm the public outcry or reignite calls for a full ministerial shake‑up remains to be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this scandal affect Nigeria’s science and technology sector?
The ministry’s credibility is at stake, which could stall ongoing research grants and international collaborations. Stakeholders fear investors may hesitate until a permanent, vetted head is appointed, potentially delaying projects worth billions of naira.
What legal consequences could Uche Nnaji face?
If the court determines the certificates were falsified, Nnaji could be charged with fraud, perjury, and abuse of public office. Penalties in Nigeria can include imprisonment of up to five years and a permanent ban from holding public office.
What steps are being proposed to tighten ministerial vetting?
Lawmakers are urging the Senate to mandate electronic verification with the NUC for all academic credentials and to create a permanent parliamentary committee that cross‑checks NYSC discharge cards against official service records.
Did any other ministers face similar accusations?
During the 2023 cabinet rollout, a handful of nominees were briefly scrutinized for discrepancies, but none escalated to the level of a court case. Nnaji’s case is the first high‑profile instance where forgery has been admitted in court.
When is the next major development expected?
Besides the October 6 press conference, the court is slated to issue a ruling on the civil suit by mid‑November 2025. That decision will likely determine whether criminal charges are filed against Nnaji.
Ellen Ross
October 6, 2025Ah, the paradox of power: one can command a nation yet be unable to grasp a simple piece of paper. The very act of forging a degree is a metaphorical mirror reflecting the hollowness of bureaucratic reverence. If the Ministry of Innovation cannot verify its own head, what hope have we for genuine scientific progress? It's almost poetic, albeit tragically so, that the emblem of knowledge becomes a counterfeit badge of ambition. Perhaps the true innovation lies in how swiftly the apparatus crumbles under the weight of its own pretensions. The whole saga feels like a modern Sisyphus, endlessly rolling a credential up a hill only to watch it tumble back into forgery. Remember, legitimacy is not bestowed by a rubber stamp; it is earned through transparent toil, something this scandal starkly exposes. In the grand tapestry of governance, this thread is a jagged knot that threatens to unravel the whole cloth.
Fabian Rademacher
October 22, 2025Everyone's missing the hidden hand here – the shadow networks that thrive on fabricated résumés to place their puppets. It's not just about an UNN degree; it's a coordinated effort by unseen elites to keep the real scientists out. The timing of the press conference is a classic diversion, a smokescreen to drown out the deeper agenda of tech imports controlled by foreign interests. If you think this is an isolated fraud, think again; the pattern repeats across ministries. Wake up, folks – the truth is encrypted in the very silence of the official statements.