Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has officially addressed the certificate forgery scandal that has sparked public debate in recent weeks.
Speaking through his spokesperson, Dr. Robert Ngwu, the Minister strongly denied the allegations, calling them a “deliberate campaign of misinformation” driven by political motives.
At a press briefing held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, Dr. Ngwu described the claims that Chief Nnaji did not graduate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) as entirely false and intended to damage the Minister’s reputation.
“Let me state clearly and for the record: Chief Uche Nnaji is a proud alumnus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He graduated in July 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry, Second Class Honours (Lower Division),” Ngwu said.
According to Ngwu, the University of Nigeria officially confirmed the Minister’s academic record in a letter dated December 21, 2023, which was stamped and signed by Mrs. I.A.S. Onyeador, on behalf of the University Registrar, Dr. (Mrs.) Celine Ngozi Nnebedum.
The letter, issued in response to an inquiry by the People’s Gazette, states:
“Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, with registration number 1981/30725, was admitted in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry and graduated in July 1985 with a Bachelor of Science, Second Class (Honours) Lower Division.”
Ngwu also mentioned that the Minister’s name appears in the University’s 1985 Convocation Brochure, which remains a part of its official archives, although a physical copy was not provided at the press briefing.
To further defend his academic integrity, Chief Nnaji has taken legal steps to protect his records.
His legal team filed Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice H.J. Yilwa. On September 22, 2025, the court granted several orders in the Minister’s favor, including An injunction restraining UNN’s Vice Chancellor and management from altering or interfering with his academic records; A directive compelling the University to release his academic transcript, An order mandating full compliance through the relevant supervisory bodies.
Ngwu criticized the Vice Chancellor’s role in the controversy, calling it “an aberration and a political overreach,” and emphasized that, under university protocol, the Registrar not the Vice Chancellor, is the authorized custodian of student records.
The Minister’s team expressed concern that recent reports, especially one by Premium Times, were based on distorted information deliberately planted to discredit Chief Nnaji.
Ngwu reaffirmed the Minister’s commitment to his responsibilities in the Federal Government:
“Chief Nnaji remains focused on delivering his mandate in the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology. He will not be distracted by falsehoods or those weaponizing media and institutions for political purposes.”
He concluded with a clear summary of the government’s position:
- Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1985.
- His graduation was officially confirmed in writing by the University in December 2023.
- His academic record is verifiable and remains part of the University’s permanent archives.
“Any contrary claims or documents being circulated are false, malicious and politically driven,” Ngwu concluded.
