The Presidency said it would not do anything to the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, regarding the alleged forgery of certificates until the court decides the case.
Fielding questions on Monday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, observed that the matter was already in court and that the government would not interfere with judicial processes.
The scandal came after a letter from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), refuting the certificate supposedly tendered by Nnaji. The university, in an October 2, 2025, letter signed by its vice-chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, explained that records indicated that Nnaji never graduated and that the institution never gave any certificate to him in 1985.
Nnaji has, however, denied the accusation, claiming he graduated from UNN and accusing university authorities of political partisanship. He displayed, through his media adviser, Dr. Robert Ngwu, a document of 2023 from the Registrar’s office certifying his graduation with a Second Class (Lower Division) in Microbiology/Biochemistry.
Nnaji alleged the recent rejection by UNN was political and due to his possible 2027 governorship ambition. He continued that he had already gotten a court order mandating the university to release his transcript and restraining the management of the university from interfering with his academic records.
In the meantime, the Enugu State Government has dissociated itself from the scandal, advising the minister to “carry his cross” and exonerate himself instead of accusing the state of political interference.
The Director of Information, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nebo, in a statement, blamed Nnaji for not showing up in person for a press conference on Monday, which he had announced, and where journalists expected him to comment on the allegations personally.
Nebo called on the minister to step forward on anomalies in his UNN records, purported resit exams, NYSC discharge certificate, and the certificate he obtained when he went for ministerial screening.
Similarly reacting, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Prof. Babafemi Badejo, called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend and prosecute Nnaji if the allegations of forgery are found to be true, as the matter presents a credibility risk to the administration.
Federal High Court, Abuja, has set November 10 to hear the suit brought by Nnaji against UNN, its officials, and the National Universities Commission (NUC).
