The controversy surrounding the academic records of the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has deepened as both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have denied issuing the certificates he claims to possess.
According to a Premium Times investigation, revealed that Mr Nnaji did not complete his university education and that both his degree and NYSC certificates were allegedly forged.
The report disclosed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in an official response to a Freedom of Information (FoI) request, confirmed that while Mr Nnaji was admitted into the institution in 1981 to study Biological Sciences, he neither completed his course nor graduated.
In a letter dated 2 October 2025, signed by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, the university stated, “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 University of Nigeria, Nsukka did not and consequently could not have issued the purported certificate in July 1985.”
The university’s position came months after the NYSC headquarters in Abuja declared that the certificate of national service being paraded by Mr Nnaji could not be verified and was “strange” to its records.
Forgery trail uncovered
According to Premium Times’ investigation, forensic scrutiny of the minister’s NYSC certificate exposed glaring irregularities. The certificate, dated 15 May 1986, bore the signature of Colonel Animashaun Braimoh — who only became the Director of the Corps two years later, in 1988.
In addition, the certificate number carried alphabetic characters, a system that NYSC did not adopt until the 1990s. Another discrepancy showed that the document indicated a 13-month service duration, contrary to the statutory 12-month scheme.
Similarly, the supposed UNN degree certificate claimed that Mr Nnaji graduated in July 1985, even though his NYSC certificate indicated he began service in April 1985 — three months before completing university, an impossibility within the NYSC framework.
Inside UNN’s records
The investigation further revealed that Mr Nnaji failed several core courses during his time at UNN, including Virology (MCB 431AB), and did not fulfil the requirements for graduation.
A senior staff member at the university reportedly told Premium Times that Nnaji was given several opportunities to retake the failed courses but repeatedly absented himself, leading to a recommendation for withdrawal.
Records obtained by the publication included a letter written by Mr Nnaji on 1 May 1986, in which he pleaded with the university for another chance to take his outstanding course — a letter that further invalidates his claim of graduating in 1985.
Furthermore, his name was missing from the official list of students who graduated during UNN’s 1985 convocation ceremony.
Silence from the minister
Efforts to obtain the minister’s reaction have proved futile. Premium Times reported that a formal letter sent to his office on 8 January 2024 was received and acknowledged, but Mr Nnaji has since ignored all subsequent calls, emails and text messages seeking his comment.
Public reaction and calls for accountability
The revelations have sparked outrage among Nigerians, who are now demanding that President Bola Tinubu take swift action. Civil society groups and analysts have warned that retaining a minister under such allegations undermines the administration’s professed commitment to transparency and good governance.
“This is a credibility test for the Tinubu government,” said one political analyst in Abuja. “If the findings are true, then the President must show leadership by ensuring the law takes its course.”
