Pressure Mounts on Minister Uche Nnaji to Resign Over Alleged Certificate Forgery

The credibility of Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, is under severe scrutiny following revelations that he forged the academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates he submitted for ministerial confirmation. The scandal has intensified calls for his immediate resignation.

In an astonishing admission captured in court documents filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Minister Nnaji confessed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) never issued him a degree certificate. This admission came as part of a lawsuit he initiated against the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and senior officials of UNN, including the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar.

Despite Nnaji’s claims that UNN’s refusal to issue the certificate was due to uncooperative university officials, the institution has officially disowned the credentials. In a recent letter dated October 2, 2025, UNN’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, confirmed that Nnaji neither completed his studies nor fulfilled the requirements for graduation. Subsequent investigations upheld that Nnaji was absent from the 1985 graduation list, contradicting earlier claims and communications from the university’s registrar.

Adding to the controversy, the NYSC also disowned the certificate presented by Nnaji, stating that there is no record of his participation in the mandatory national service program. Forensic examination of the NYSC certificate revealed inconsistencies, notably the signature of a director who was appointed years after the claimed service date, hence proving the document’s authenticity is dubious.

ADVERTISEMENT

The controversy ignited in July 2023 when President Bola Tinubu nominated Nnaji among his first batch of ministers. Since then, investigations by PREMIUM TIMES and other media outlets have spanned two years to uncover the full extent of the forgery allegations.

Further legal developments include the dismissal of Nnaji’s request by the Federal High Court to prevent UNN from releasing his academic records. The judge ruled against the minister’s bid to restrain the university from disclosing pertinent information, marking a significant legal setback for Nnaji.

The revelations have sparked public outrage and intensified discussions about integrity and accountability in public office. Critics argue that Nnaji’s forged credentials undermine trust in Nigeria’s governance and raises concerns about the vetting process of ministers.

Prominent voices in the political space have called for swift action. Former presidential candidate Peter Obi, among others, has demanded the prosecution of all individuals involved in certificate forgery within government circles to restore confidence in the country’s leadership.

As pressure mounts, Minister Uche Nnaji faces growing calls for resignation and possible criminal investigation for presenting forged documents, which is punishable under Nigerian law.