Minister Admits Lack of University Degree Certificate in Court Documents
Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has formally acknowledged that he never received a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), according to court documents filed in Abuja’s Federal High Court.
In legal proceedings before Justice Hauwa Yilwa, Nnaji initiated a lawsuit against multiple educational authorities, including the Minister of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN officials, and the university’s Senate. The case has brought to light significant discrepancies in the minister’s academic credentials.
According to court documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, Nnaji claims he was admitted to UNN in 1981 to pursue Microbiology/Biochemistry studies, reportedly completing the program in 1985. However, in his affidavit, the minister explicitly stated he never collected a certificate from the institution.
The controversy deepened when conflicting communications emerged from UNN. Initially, a letter dated December 21, 2023, signed by UNN Registrar Celine Nnebedum and addressed to People’s Gazette, appeared to confirm Nnaji’s graduation with a Second Class Lower Division degree. However, this letter was later invalidated.
In subsequent correspondence to the Public Complaints Commission in May 2025, Nnebedum revealed that Nnaji’s name was absent from the university’s 1985 graduation records. This was further corroborated by UNN Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, who officially stated on October 3, 2025, that “Mr Nnaji did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree by the university.”
A senior university insider revealed to PREMIUM TIMES that Nnaji’s academic file remains intact, documenting his attendance only until the point of his departure from the institution. The source suggested possible manipulation of records or an administrative error in the earlier verification letter.
The minister’s admission has effectively validated earlier investigations by PREMIUM TIMES that questioned the authenticity of both his degree certificate and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, which were submitted during his ministerial appointment process. The NYSC has officially confirmed having no record of issuing a discharge certificate to Nnaji.
In his current legal motion, Nnaji seeks court orders to prevent UNN from altering his academic records and to compel the release of his transcript. While Justice Yilwa granted three of the requested orders, the court declined to issue injunctive relief against the defendants. The case is scheduled to continue on October 6.
