A Nigerian Government investigative panel has confirmed that the country’s immediate past Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, forged the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate he presented to secure political appointments
The seven-member panel, set up by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has concluded its report, which reveals that former minister of science Uche Nnaji never graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and had no legitimate certificate from the institution.
Earlier, it was reported that the seven-member panel, set up by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, concluded in its report that Nnaji never graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and had no legitimate certificate from the institution.
The committee submitted its report to the education minister in December 2025 after weeks of investigation, which included visits to the university, interviews with officials and examination of academic records.
The probe panel was constituted on November 23, 2025, following a petition by Nnaji accusing senior officials of UNN of tampering with his academic records and manipulating documents to damage his reputation.
However, investigators said their findings contradicted the former minister’s claims.
In the petition dated October 14, 2025, Nnaji alleged unethical disclosure of his academic records and accused the university’s vice-chancellor, Simon Ortuanya, and a former acting vice-chancellor, Oguejiofor Ujam, of issuing forged correspondence and enabling media reports that questioned his academic history.
The investigative panel was chaired by Rakiya Gambo Ilyasu, Director of the University Education Department at the Federal Ministry of Education, with James Ocheido serving as secretary.
Other members included senior officials from departments overseeing polytechnics, colleges of education and representatives of the National Universities Commission, as well as legal and human resources units of the ministry.
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According to the report, the panel adopted a methodology that included documentary review, interviews, verification and technical audits.
Members of the panel visited UNN in Nsukka, inspected the university’s registry records, Senate graduation lists, convocation archives, electronic access logs and other academic documentation.
Investigators said a detailed review of the 1985 Senate-approved graduation list showed that Nnaji’s name was absent from the list of students who completed their studies that year.
The panel confirmed that Nnaji was admitted to study Biological Sciences at UNN during the 1981/82 academic session but failed a key course, Virology (MCB 431AB).
According to the report, correspondence found in his academic file between November 1985 and May 1986 showed he was still attempting to resolve issues related to the failed course months after the 1985 graduation ceremony.
One handwritten letter dated May 19, 1986, showed Nnaji applying for permission to retake the course in September, claiming he missed a scheduled examination due to ill health.
However, investigators said they found no evidence that he ever retook or passed the failed course.
The investigators also raised serious questions about the authenticity of the certificate dated July 1985 that Nnaji later submitted to President Bola Tinubu during the ministerial nomination process and to the National Assembly for confirmation.
The panel said the document could not have been issued by UNN since the university had no record of him completing his programme.
Officials of University of Nigeria, Nsukka had previously confirmed that although he was admitted in 1981, there was no record that he completed his studies.
The university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Ortuanya, stated in an official response that the institution “did not and could not have issued” the certificate Nnaji presented.
Investigators had also uncovered major irregularities in the National Youth Service Corps certificate submitted by the former minister.
The document reportedly bore the signature of Colonel Animashaun Braimoh, who only became NYSC director in 1988, despite the certificate being dated May 1986.
The NYSC later confirmed that it had no record of issuing a certificate to Nnaji.
With both the degree and NYSC certificates discredited, the federal government panel’s findings have intensified questions about how the former minister secured political appointments and passed ministerial screening with disputed academic credentials.
(Editor: RolukeOgundele)
