The Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has accused Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State of orchestrating a campaign of blackmail and misinformation regarding his academic qualifications.
Speaking through his Technical Assistant, Dr. Robert Ngwu, at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Nnaji alleged that the governor’s actions were motivated by political fear.
According to Ngwu, Mbah is concerned that Nnaji may challenge him in the 2027 Enugu State Governorship election, prompting a smear campaign intended to damage the Minister’s credibility.
Ngwu claimed that the emergence of documents questioning Nnaji’s Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) was part of a politically motivated media attack, citing Premium Times as having published “false and malicious” stories based on a questionable university letter.
He pointed out that the letter contradicted an earlier official response from UNN dated December 21, 2023, which confirmed Nnaji’s graduation from the institution in 1985, with a degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry.
“What changed between December 2023 and May 2025 is the political takeover of the university’s leadership,” Ngwu asserted.
“Two card-carrying members of the PDP were appointed first as Acting Vice-Chancellor and then as the substantive Vice-Chancellor.”
He further argued that, according to academic conventions worldwide, the Registrar, not the Vice-Chancellor, is the legitimate custodian of students’ academic records.
Any contradictory move, he said, “is not only a breach of university protocol but also a clear case of political interference.”
Ngwu also revealed that the Minister had applied for his academic transcripts earlier in the year, but despite a court order, the university has failed to release them.
Defending Nnaji’s credibility, Ngwu highlighted the Minister’s long-standing public service record: Former Commissioner for Education in Enugu State for six years, Former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Former Director-General of the Nigerian Governors Forum.
He emphasized that Nnaji underwent rigorous background checks by the DSS and other security agencies prior to his ministerial appointment, during which his certificates were thoroughly vetted and cleared.
“We believe this is an orchestrated effort to tarnish the image of a man who has built his reputation over decades,” Ngwu stated.
“Governor Mbah wants a second term and sees Nnaji as a political threat. We have credible information that he plans to join the APC, and sees removing the Minister as a necessary step to secure his political future.”
Ngwu concluded by reaffirming the Minister’s innocence and his commitment to justice, stating, “Except for his brief political outing in 1999 when he won a Senate seat and stepped down for Senator Jim Nwobodo, Nnaji has largely remained in the private sector, until now. His integrity is not in doubt.”
