When Uche Geoffrey Nnaji was appointed as Nigeria’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, it was hailed as a triumph of intellect and technical know-how. A man of reputed brilliance, Nnaji was seen as a technocrat who would breathe fresh life into Nigeria’s stagnating innovation sector. But beneath the polished public image, a storm was brewing—one that now threatens to sweep him out of office and permanently taint his political career.
Over the past weeks, Nnaji has been at the center of a scandal that reads like the script of a political thriller. At its core is an allegation that he forged his university certificate—a claim so serious that it has triggered calls for his resignation, legal challenges, and a potential constitutional crisis for the Tinubu administration, which prides itself on integrity and reform.
As the controversy unfolds, civil society groups, legal experts, and anti-corruption advocates are demanding answers. What began as whispers about discrepancies in the Minister’s academic background has now exploded into a national scandal. And the documents emerging from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)—Nnaji’s alleged alma mater—paint a damning picture.
The Beginning of the Scandal
The story began quietly. In early October 2025, investigative journalists reached out to UNN for verification of the Minister’s academic claims. What they received in response would ignite a firestorm.
In a letter dated October 2, 2025, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Professor Simon Ortuanya, categorically denied that Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji had ever completed his studies at the institution. “From every available record and information from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, we are unable to confirm that Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji… graduated from the University in July 1985,” the letter stated.
The university further clarified that because Nnaji did not complete his studies, it “did not and consequently could not have issued the purported certificate in July 1985.” This assertion directly contradicted the credentials Nnaji presented during his ministerial screening before the Nigerian Senate in August 2023, where he submitted what appeared to be a UNN-issued degree certificate.
For a sitting minister, this was no small matter. Under Nigerian law, certificate forgery is not just a moral failure—it is a criminal act punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Civil Society and the Cry for Resignation
In the wake of the revelation, two powerful Civil Society Organizations—the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria—jointly demanded Nnaji’s resignation.
Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC’s Executive Director and the face of Nigeria’s anti-corruption movement, spoke bluntly. “If you lie in your certificate, whether it is a degree or not, the only honorable thing is to resign. You cannot be presiding over a ministry when you are found to be involved in fraud. What leadership are you providing?”
Rafsanjani went further, suggesting that Nnaji’s refusal to resign stemmed from his closeness to the President. “It appears he has not resigned because he is close to the Villa,” he said. “But proximity to power cannot be an excuse for deception.”
According to him, political leaders do not need to falsify academic records to serve. “Even the Constitution allows a person with a school certificate to contest for the highest office in the land. Why then the desperation to claim degrees one did not earn?”
The outcry from CISLAC and Transparency International has put immense pressure on both Nnaji and the Presidency. Yet, despite the growing chorus of condemnation, neither the Minister nor the All Progressives Congress (APC) has made any definitive move.
Silence from the Party, Anger from the Public
As outrage mounted, journalists reached out to the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, for a statement. None was forthcoming. The ruling party, which has often touted its commitment to transparency, appeared tongue-tied.
Meanwhile, the public mood has been one of anger and disbelief. Social media exploded with calls for the Minister’s immediate resignation, with hashtags like #ForgeryGate and #NnajiMustGo trending for days. Nigerians, already disillusioned by political corruption, saw the scandal as another sign of rot within the system.
Legal Experts Weigh In
While civil society made moral arguments, the legal community began dissecting the matter from a constitutional and criminal standpoint.
Professor Ademola Adaranijo, a constitutional law scholar, called for the Minister’s immediate suspension pending a full investigation. “This is not a trivial matter,” he said. “Forgery is a criminal offence under Sections 366 and 368 of the Criminal Code Act. Beyond that, it undermines the credibility of government institutions.”
Lagos-based lawyer Wahab Abdullahi agreed, adding that the allegations—if proven—violate the Fifth Schedule, Part I of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates public officials to declare accurate credentials. “This case strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s integrity crisis,” he said.
Idowu Phillips, Director of the Public and Private Anti-Corruption Coalition (PPAC), warned that allowing the Minister to remain in office “erodes institutional integrity and breaches public trust.” According to him, “you cannot fight corruption selectively. When public officials accused of forgery remain in office, it sends a dangerous message to the nation.”
The Minister’s Legal Counterattack
In a surprising twist, documents obtained by Leadership and Premium Times revealed that Minister Nnaji had gone to court even before the university’s denial became public. He filed a case at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to stop the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and related authorities from releasing his academic records.
Nnaji’s suit named the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and several UNN officials as respondents. He prayed the court for a “prerogative writ of prohibition” to restrain them from “tampering” with his academic records.
However, Justice Hausa Yilwa of the Federal High Court dismissed his application. The court noted that while Nnaji had an interest in the matter, his prayer for an interim injunction could not stand. “Having been refused, granting reliefs 1–3 shall not serve as injunctive reliefs against any of the parties,” the judge ruled.
This ruling opened the door for UNN to respond to journalists’ inquiries—responses that would later devastate the Minister’s credibility.
The University’s Bombshell
Following the court’s decision, UNN’s response to media inquiries became a matter of public record. The Vice-Chancellor’s letter was categorical: Nnaji’s name appeared in admission records from 1981, but there was no evidence he graduated.
The university’s statement concluded emphatically:
“The University of Nigeria, Nsukka DID NOT and consequently COULD NOT have issued the purported certificate in July 1985 to Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, the current Minister of Science and Technology.”
This revelation not only questioned the authenticity of his ministerial screening documents but also cast a long shadow over the integrity of the federal appointment process.
Nnaji’s Defense and the Political Undertones
Under growing public scrutiny, Nnaji broke his silence. Through his special adviser, Dr. Robert Ngwu, the Minister dismissed the allegations as a “politically motivated smear campaign.” He accused Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State of masterminding the scandal, claiming that the Governor, fearing his rising political influence, had colluded with the Vice-Chancellor to damage his reputation ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The entire controversy is the handiwork of Governor Mbah, who feels threatened by the Minister’s political stature,” Ngwu alleged. “It is no coincidence that the Vice-Chancellor was appointed by the Governor and now acts as his pawn.”
Nnaji also insisted that the university was withholding his transcript, and that he had petitioned the Federal High Court to compel its release.
However, critics argue that this defense raises more questions than answers. If Nnaji never collected his certificate, how did one appear among the documents submitted to the Senate? Who issued it? And why did he not raise these issues during his screening?
A Crisis of Credibility
For many observers, this scandal is not just about one minister’s alleged forgery—it is about the broader rot within Nigeria’s governance system.
“The problem goes beyond Nnaji,” said constitutional analyst Dr. Hassan Lawal. “It exposes how weak our verification mechanisms are. How did the Senate clear him without independent confirmation from UNN? This points to systemic negligence.”
Others see a deeper political pattern. With President Tinubu facing increasing criticism over alleged integrity issues within his cabinet, the Nnaji case risks becoming a political liability. “The President must act decisively,” said one APC insider who spoke on condition of anonymity. “If he does nothing, it will look like we condone fraud.”
What Lies Ahead
As of October 6, 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to reconvene to hear the substantive case. Legal observers say the matter could set a new precedent in public accountability. If the court affirms UNN’s position, Nnaji could face not only removal from office but also possible criminal prosecution.
Meanwhile, anti-corruption groups are planning nationwide protests, demanding that the President suspend the Minister pending investigation. “We cannot allow people with forged certificates to make policies for our future,” Rafsanjani declared.
For now, Nnaji remains defiant, continuing to attend cabinet meetings and insisting on his innocence. But the court of public opinion seems to have delivered its verdict: a man of science caught in a web of deceit.
Epilogue: The Cost of Integrity
The Uche Nnaji scandal underscores an old Nigerian paradox—the tension between political loyalty and moral accountability. For decades, the nation has struggled to reconcile meritocracy with patronage, truth with power. Each scandal chips away at public faith in government.
Whether or not Nnaji forged his certificate, his case serves as a stark reminder that credibility in public service cannot be manufactured or faked. Leadership, as Rafsanjani put it, “is not about certificates, but about character.”
As the country waits for the court’s ruling, one truth remains undeniable: the credibility of Nigeria’s leadership stands on trial alongside Uche Nnaji.
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