Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has finally broken his silence over the lingering certificate forgery allegations, describing the reports as “deliberate misinformation and politically motivated falsehoods” aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
Speaking through his spokesperson, Dr. Robert Ngwu, at a press briefing held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, Nnaji dismissed the claims that he did not graduate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), insisting that his academic record is genuine and verifiable.
“Let me state clearly and for the record: Chief Uche Nnaji is a proud alumnus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, having graduated in July 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry, Second Class Honours (Lower Division),” Dr. Ngwu declared.
According to the Minister’s spokesperson, the University itself officially confirmed Nnaji’s graduation in a letter dated 21 December 2023, duly stamped and signed by Mrs. I.A.S. Onyeador, for the Registrar, Dr. (Mrs.) Celine Ngozi Nnebedum.
That correspondence, written in response to an inquiry by the People’s Gazette, stated unequivocally that “Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, with registration number 1981/30725, was admitted in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry and graduated in July 1985 with a Bachelor of Science, Second Class (Honours) Lower Division.”
Ngwu noted that the information also appears in UNN’s 1985 Convocation Brochure, which remains part of the university’s permanent archives (though no copy of the brochure was madeavailable).
“This is the only authentic record on this matter, properly issued by the University and still valid. Any other document being circulated is false and politically motivated,” he stressed.
He further alleged that the story published by Premium Times was based on misinformation deliberately fed to the media to embarrass the Minister.
Ngwu emphasized that by university protocol, the Registrar, not the Vice Chancellor, is the official custodian of academic and examination records, describing the Vice Chancellor’s involvement as “an aberration and a political overreach.”
Revealing the Minister’s next steps, Ngwu confirmed that Chief Nnaji has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja for legal protection over what he termed “attempts to alter or tamper with his academic file.”
In Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, presided over by Justice H.J. Yilwa, the court granted a series of protective orders on 22 September 2025, including:
- An injunction restraining UNN’s Vice Chancellor and management from tampering with the Minister’s academic records;
- An order compelling the university to release his academic transcript; and
- A directive mandating compliance through supervisory authorities.
“These are certified court orders of the Federal High Court of Nigeria. Instead of obeying them, the Vice Chancellor, who is himself a lawyer, has resorted to cyberbullying and politically motivated media trials,” Ngwu said.
Ngwu reaffirmed that Chief Uche Nnaji remains fully focused on his national assignment and the mandate of his Ministry — advancing innovation, science, and technology to drive Nigeria’s industrial growth.
“Chief Nnaji will not be distracted by lies or those who weaponize institutions and media platforms for political gain,” he maintained.
He concluded by restating the government’s position on the matter:
- Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1985.
- The University officially confirmed this in writing in December 2023.
- The record remains in UNN’s archives and convocation brochure.
“Any other claim or document to the contrary is false, malicious, and politically motivated,” Ngwu declared.
