The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Uche Nnaji, has told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he was never issued a degree certificate by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
This development comes as questions continue to swirl around the authenticity of academic credentials submitted by the minister for his appointment.
In documents filed in court, Mr Nnaji confirmed that although he was admitted to study Microbiology/Biochemistry in 1981, and claims to have completed the programme in 1985, he never collected a certificate from the university.
The statement was made in an affidavit supporting a suit he filed against the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), the University of Nigeria, and several top officials of the institution, including its Vice-Chancellor and Registrar.
Mr Nnaji told the court that he had tried without success to obtain his certificate from UNN, blaming what he described as an uncooperative attitude from university authorities.
In one part of the affidavit, the minister referred to a letter reportedly issued by UNN in December 2023. The letter, addressed to People’s Gazette, had confirmed his admission and graduation. However, the university has since withdrawn that statement, saying it was incorrect.
In a separate communication to the Public Complaints Commission in May 2025, UNN’s Registrar, Mrs Celine Nnebedum, stated that a thorough check of graduation records from 1985 did not show Mr Nnaji’s name.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, also confirmed in a letter dated October 3, 2025, that Mr Nnaji neither completed his studies nor earned a degree from the university.
“He never graduated,” a senior university official told PREMIUM TIMES. “His file shows he dropped out before completing the programme.”
These revelations cast doubt on the authenticity of the academic documents the minister submitted during his screening.
According to PREMIUM TIMES, both the degree certificate and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate he presented have now been disowned by the respective institutions.
While Mr Nnaji insists he completed his studies, he is asking the court to stop UNN from altering his records and to compel the university to release his academic transcript.
Justice Hauwa Yilwa, who is presiding over the case, granted some of Mr Nnaji’s requests but declined to stop the university from taking any actions regarding his records. The case has been adjourned until October 6, 2025, for further hearing.
