Nigeria’s minister in certificate forgery scandal
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has been accused of certificate forgery, as the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have both disowned the academic and service certificates he presented during his ministerial screening in August 2023.
According to a report by Premium Times, the university confirmed through a Freedom of Information (FOI) reply dated October 2, 2025, that Nnaji did not graduate from the institution as claimed.
The letter, signed by UNN Vice Chancellor Prof. Simon Ortuanya, stated that records showed Nnaji, who was admitted in 1981 with matriculation number 1981/30725, did not complete his studies and therefore could not have been issued a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Microbiology.
“From every available record and information from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, we are unable to confirm that Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji graduated from the University in July 1985,” the university said.
“Flowing from the above, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka did not and could not have issued the purported certificate in July 1985,” the statement added.
The university’s latest position directly contradicts a 2023 letter from its registrar, which had previously claimed Nnaji graduated in July 1985. That earlier position has now been voided.
Sources told Premium Times that Nnaji failed key courses particularly Virology (MCB 431AB) and was advised to withdraw due to truancy and poor academic performance.
The outlet also obtained a letter dated May 1, 1986, in which Nnaji pleaded with UNN to allow him to retake a terminal course, a request the school reportedly denied. His name, investigators found, was missing from the official 1985 graduation list.
The controversy deepened after the NYSC also disowned Nnaji’s discharge certificate (No. A231309, dated 1986), declaring it could not be authenticated. Premium Times reported several inconsistencies, including that the certificate’s numbering format, alphabetic prefix, and signatory title did not exist in 1986.
While Nnaji’s document bore the signature of Col. Animashaun Braimoh, who only headed NYSC between 1988 and 1990, the genuine NYSC Director in 1986 was Col. Edet Akpan.
The newspaper further noted that the use of the title “National Director” on NYSC certificates only began in the 1990s, years after Nnaji’s alleged service year.
Two senior NYSC officers confirmed to the paper that there was no record of Nnaji’s national service or certificate in their archives.
Meanwhile, the minister has approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking to restrain the Minister of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN, and its top officials from releasing his academic records.
However, Justice Hauwa Yilwa declined to issue an injunction halting the release of the documents. The court instead granted limited procedural reliefs, ruling that Nnaji had an interest in the matter but that his prayers could not amount to a gag order.
A separate hearing in Nnaji’s suit against UNN and others was stalled on Monday, as the university’s lawyers failed to file their responses.
The case has been adjourned until November 10, 2025 for hearing.
Source: PremiumTimes
