Minister Admits UNN Never Issued Degree Certificate Amid Credentials Controversy
Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has formally acknowledged in court documents that he never received a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), sparking further controversy over his academic credentials.
In legal filings submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja before Justice Hauwa Yilwa, Nnaji has initiated legal action against several educational authorities, including the Minister of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN, and key university officials.
According to court documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, Nnaji claims he was admitted to UNN in 1981 to pursue Microbiology/Biochemistry studies, supposedly completing the program in 1985. However, in a crucial admission within his verifying affidavit, the minister explicitly stated he never collected any certificate from the university.
The case has taken several turns, with conflicting documentation emerging. A December 2023 letter to People’s Gazette, signed by UNN Registrar Celine Nnebedum, initially confirmed Nnaji’s graduation with a Second Class Lower Division degree. However, this letter was later invalidated when Nnebedum wrote to the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) in May 2025, stating no record of Nnaji’s graduation could be found in the 1985 records.
Further contradicting the minister’s claims, UNN Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Ortuanya explicitly stated in an October 3, 2025 letter to PREMIUM TIMES that “Mr Nnaji did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree by the university.” A senior university official revealed that Nnaji’s file contains records only up to the point where he discontinued his studies.
The controversy extends beyond the university degree, as both UNN and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have officially disowned certificates presented by Nnaji for his ministerial appointment, suggesting potential document forgery.
In response, Nnaji has filed a court motion seeking to prevent UNN from altering his academic records and requesting 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.
This development raises significant questions about the verification process for high-level government appointments and the integrity of academic credentials in Nigeria’s public service.
