October 5, 2025-Published by Cyril
Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has admitted that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) never issued him a degree certificate — confirming growing suspicions about the authenticity of his academic records.
According to PREMIUM TIMES, the minister made the shocking revelation in court documents filed before Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court, Abuja. Nnaji had dragged the Minister of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN, its Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, a former Acting Vice-Chancellor, and the University Senate to court.
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The court filings showed that Nnaji personally admitted not having received any certificate from UNN. In his affidavit supporting a motion ex parte, he claimed that he was admitted in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry and completed his programme in 1985, but never collected his certificate.
He stated:
- “That even though I am yet to collect my certificate from the 3rd Defendant (UNN), due largely to the non-cooperative attitude of the 3rd–5th Defendants, the 3rd Defendant issued a letter dated 21st December 2023 to People’s Gazette confirming that I graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology/Biochemistry, Second Class (Hons.) Lower Division.”
The letter — signed by UNN Registrar Celine Nnebedum and sent to People’s Gazette — has since been declared invalid.
In May 2025, Mrs. Nnebedum wrote to the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) confirming that a search of UNN’s 1985 graduation records did not include Nnaji’s name. Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, in a letter to PREMIUM TIMES dated October 3, 2025, stated that “Mr. Nnaji did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree by the university.”
A senior UNN official also revealed that Nnaji’s student file is intact and shows that he dropped out before completing his programme, adding that the previous confirmation letter might have resulted from influence or error within the records office.
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By admitting that UNN never issued him a certificate, Nnaji has effectively validated findings that both his university degree and NYSC discharge certificates, submitted for his ministerial appointment, were forged.
The NYSC has also disowned the certificate Nnaji presented, confirming there is no record of any discharge certificate issued to him.
In his court motion, the minister asked the court to stop UNN from tampering with his academic records and to compel the release of his academic transcript.
Justice Yilwa granted three of his prayers but declined to issue any restraining orders against the defendants. The case was adjourned to October 6 for further hearing.
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