Chief Uche Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology, has confessed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) never issued him a degree certificate, a startling admission that validates a two-year investigation by Premium Times, which found that he forged his academic credentials.
The minister, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in July 2023, had submitted academic and NYSC certificates that critics have long questioned.
These documents were used during his ministerial screening by the Senate.
Investigators from Premium Times uncovered that the UNN degree certificate he presented is fake and that his NYSC discharge certificate is also forged.
Despite years of suspicion and silence, Mr Nnaji has now publicly confirmed through a court affidavit that he never received a certificate from UNN.
The admission emerged in a case Nnaji filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
He is seeking to prevent UNN and its officials from releasing his academic records and to compel the university to issue him a transcript.
In the 34-paragraph affidavit supporting his motion, Mr Nnaji stated that he was admitted in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry and claimed to have “graduated” in 1985.
But then admitted he never collected a certificate, blaming “non-cooperative” university officials.
His own court filing referenced a 2023 letter from UNN to another media outlet that falsely claimed he had graduated.
However, UNN later recanted the letter, saying a proper search of 1985 graduation records showed no trace of Nnaji’s name.
UNN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya confirmed to Premium Times in a letter dated October 3, 2025, that:
“Mr Nnaji did not complete his programme and was not awarded a degree by the university.”
“His file is intact. It clearly shows he dropped out. The claim that he graduated is false” a senior university official added.
The university’s Registrar, Celine Nnebedum, who initially signed the misleading 2023 letter, later withdrew the statement in May 2025, acknowledging it was incorrect.
Mr Nnaji also claimed to have completed his NYSC service in 1985 and 1986, citing postings to University of Jos Teaching Hospital and Jos International Breweries.
But without a legitimate university degree, his NYSC service could not have been validly undertaken, further pointing to forgery.
In his ministerial profile submitted to the Senate, Mr Nnaji described himself as a:
“Visionary industrialist, oil and gas expert, construction giant, healthcare practitioner, trade and investment strategist and environmental protection expert.”
Yet, the document failed to include a graduation year or verifiable academic details.
Despite multiple attempts, Premium Times reports that Mr Nnaji Ignored inquiries sent since January 2024 and did not respond to calls, texts, or emails.
His office officially acknowledged receipt of the newspaper’s written questions, but he has remained silent on the matter.
The big question is, If the University of Nigeria never issued him a degree certificate, how did Mr Nnaji obtain the one he submitted for his ministerial appointment?
