Report: FG panel confirms ex-Minister Uche Nnaji falsified UNN degree certificate

An investigative panel set up by Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has confirmed that former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, falsified his University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate, Premium Times has reported. 

The findings follow a months-long probe into allegations that Nnaji had also forged his NYSC certificate.

The seven-member panel was constituted on November 23, 2025, after Nnaji submitted a petition disputing earlier reports that questioned the authenticity of his academic records. In his petition dated October 14, 2025, the former minister accused senior UNN officials, including Vice-Chancellor Simon Ortuanya and former Acting Vice-Chancellor Oguejiofor Ujam, of document tampering, unethical disclosure, and politically motivated manipulation of his academic records. He also alleged that unauthorized correspondence had been issued and that media publications misrepresented his academic history.

Led by Rakiya Gambo Ilyasu, Director of the University Education Department, the panel applied a combination of document review, interviews, verification, and technical audit to examine the claims. Members also included representatives from the National Universities Commission (NUC), the ministry’s Colleges of Education and Polytechnics departments, and Legal and Human Resources units.

Panel investigators visited UNN in Nsukka, met with university officials, including the Vice-Chancellor, former Acting Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar, and Records Unit staff, and examined Nnaji’s academic files and internal correspondence. They also reviewed historical Senate-approved graduation lists, registry movement logs, convocation archives, and electronic access logs to verify the authenticity of the documents.

The panel found that Nnaji, who was admitted to study Biological Sciences in the 1981/82 academic session, did not graduate after failing Virology (MCB 431AB). His name was absent from the 1985 Senate-approved graduation list, and correspondences between November 1985 and May 1986 showed he requested to retake the failed course due to ill health, with no record of completion.

Despite this, Nnaji submitted a purported 1985 graduation certificate to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly for his ministerial confirmation. The panel’s findings corroborate earlier Premium Times investigations exposing his certificate forgery.

Before the panel report, Nnaji had filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja to block UNN and its officials from releasing his academic records. UNN Vice-Chancellor Ortuanya had confirmed to Premium Times that Nnaji forged his certificate, a position later supported by the university registrar. NYSC authorities also disowned the discharge certificate in his possession. Nnaji resigned three days after the forgery report was published.

The scandal has led to calls for criminal prosecution. Legal practitioner Liborous Oshoma argued that public officials who falsify credentials should face prosecution and be barred from holding office to deter similar offenses.

In February, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) opened an investigation into the case. Insiders indicate Nnaji could face prosecution if the probe confirms the forgery.