Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has confessed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), never issued him a degree certificate
A stunning revelation that confirms a two-year Premium Times investigation alleging he forged the academic documents he submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the Senate during his ministerial screening.
The admission, contained in court filings obtained by Premium Times, came as part of a suit filed by Nnaji against the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN, and several university officials. In the suit, he asked the court to stop UNN from “tampering” with his academic records and to compel the institution to release his transcript.
However, in a verifying affidavit supporting his motion, Nnaji stated that although he completed his studies at UNN in 1985, he had “yet to collect” his certificate due to what he described as the non-cooperative attitude of the university’s officials — a statement that effectively confirmed that he never received a degree from the institution.
His revelation validates Premium Times investigative report, which concluded that both the degree certificate and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate Nnaji submitted for his ministerial confirmation were forged.
UNN, in an October 2025 letter signed by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, confirmed that Nnaji did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree. The university also disowned an earlier letter issued by its registrar, Celine Nnebedum, which falsely indicated that Nnaji graduated in 1985 — later describing it as a “mistake” or possible case of manipulation.
A senior UNN official told Premium Times that Nnaji’s academic file showed he dropped out before graduation, stating, “The truth is that he never graduated from here. His file is intact and stops at the point where he dropped out.”
The controversy raises serious questions about how Nnaji obtained the degree and NYSC certificates he presented to the federal government and the Senate in 2023. His ministerial profile claimed he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Microbiology from UNN and completed his NYSC service at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital and Jos International Breweries.
Despite repeated attempts by Premium Times to get his reaction, Nnaji has remained silent, refusing to respond to multiple calls, messages, and written enquiries on the matter.
His admission now casts a major shadow over his ministerial appointment and could trigger fresh legal and political consequences for the Tinubu administration.
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Wahala