Samuel Omang
Uche Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, has stirred nationwide outrage after admitting that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), never issued him a degree certificate—confirming widespread suspicions that his academic credentials were falsified. The revelation, made in a sworn affidavit submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja, has reignited debates about integrity in public service and renewed calls for accountability from political leaders.
Nnaji’s admission came amid the fallout of a two-year investigation which alleged that the documents he presented during his ministerial screening were forged. The investigation, originally published by Premium Times and corroborated by BusinessDay, revealed glaring inconsistencies in his academic and NYSC records, concluding that both were fake. The controversy first erupted in July 2023, when President Bola Tinubu included Nnaji among his ministerial nominees. Shortly after, questions arose over the authenticity of his qualifications, with critics alleging that he never completed his degree at UNN.
In a case filed before Justice Hauwa Yilwa, Nnaji sued the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN, its Vice Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, its Registrar, Professor Oguenjiofor Ujam, and the university’s Senate. He sought an order restraining the university and its officials from releasing details of his academic record and requested that the court compel the institution to issue him an academic transcript. Although the judge granted three of his requests, she declined to stop the university from disclosing his records.
However, what has drawn the most attention is what the minister himself admitted in his affidavit. He stated that he was admitted to study Microbiology/Biochemistry in 1981 and completed the programme in 1985, but that he had not been issued a certificate due to what he called the “non-cooperative attitude” of university officials. He referenced a 2023 letter from UNN confirming that he graduated with a Second Class (Lower Division), but the letter did not constitute a valid certificate. The statement, observers say, effectively confirms that Nnaji never received a degree and that the documents he presented were forged.
The admission has sparked widespread anger across the country, with civil society organisations, opposition parties, and concerned citizens demanding his suspension and prosecution. Many Nigerians have expressed disbelief that such an issue could slip through the Senate’s screening process, calling it a failure of the government’s background verification system. Social commentators have argued that the development undermines public trust and questions the credibility of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to ethical governance.
Former Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has been among the most vocal voices condemning the scandal. Obi described certificate forgery as a “serious criminal offence” that should never be treated as a political matter or minor infraction. He called for Nnaji’s immediate prosecution and for a wider probe into the authenticity of credentials held by public officials. According to Obi, “When people who occupy high public offices engage in deceit and falsehood, they destroy the moral fabric of society. The same government that preaches honesty cannot condone fraud in its own ranks.”
Obi further warned that the prevalence of certificate forgery among political elites sends a dangerous message to the younger generation, who are constantly told to uphold integrity and hard work. He urged the government to take decisive steps to end the culture of impunity surrounding academic fraud, saying Nigeria must “treat forgery with the seriousness it deserves.” He also called for institutional reforms that would require all political appointees and candidates for elective office to submit their academic certificates for verification by relevant agencies well before nomination or appointment.
Public pressure continues to mount as advocacy groups, legal experts, and opposition figures insist that Nnaji’s case represents a litmus test for the Tinubu administration’s integrity. Some have questioned why the president has remained silent on the scandal despite its potential to damage the credibility of his cabinet. Legal analysts warn that Nnaji’s sworn admission could expose him to criminal prosecution under Nigerian laws that prohibit forgery and the submission of false information for public appointments.
As the Federal High Court continues hearing the case, all eyes are now on both the judiciary and the presidency to see how the matter will be handled. For many Nigerians, the controversy is no longer just about one minister’s credentials but about whether honesty, transparency, and accountability still matter in public office.