FG panel confirms ex-Minister Uche Nnaji forged UNN Degree Certificate — Report

A panel set up by the Federal Government has reportedly confirmed allegations that former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji forged his degree certificate from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).

According to an exclusive report by Premium Times, the investigative panel found that the former minister indeed forged the certificate he presented as part of his academic credentials.

Panel Set Up After Petition

The seven-member panel was constituted on 23 November 2025 following a petition written by Nnaji to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa.

In the petition dated 14 October 2025, Nnaji accused senior officials of UNN of unethical disclosure, document tampering and political manipulation of his academic records.

He also accused the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Simon Ortuanya, and former Acting Vice-Chancellor Oguejiofor Ujam of issuing unauthorised correspondence and facilitating media reports that allegedly misrepresented his academic history.

Investigation Method

The panel, chaired by the Director of the University Education Department in the ministry, Rakiya Gambo Ilyasu, said it used documentary reviews, interviews, verification processes and technical audits in its investigation.

Investigators visited the university, interviewed officials, and reviewed internal records including:

Senate-approved graduation lists

Convocation archives

Registry movement logs

Electronic access records

Internal correspondence and student academic files

Key Findings

According to the report, the panel conducted a detailed review of the 1985 Senate-approved graduation list and examined Nnaji’s personal academic file.

Investigators reportedly found that his name was not listed among graduates in the 1985 set.

The panel also discovered several correspondences dated between November 1985 and May 1986 showing communication between Nnaji and the university’s registry over a failed course, MCB 431 (Virology).

In a handwritten letter dated 19 May 1986, Nnaji requested permission to retake the course, explaining that he missed the earlier examination due to illness and attaching a medical report.

However, the panel stated that it found no record indicating that he eventually retook or passed the failed course.

Certificate Questioned

The investigators therefore questioned how Nnaji obtained a certificate of graduation dated July 1985, which he reportedly submitted to Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his ministerial appointment process and to the National Assembly for confirmation.

The panel submitted its detailed report to the education minister in December 2025.

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