Inside the certificate forgery scandal that put Nigeria’s technology minister out of job

The resignation of Uche Nnaji from his position as Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, over allegations of certificate forgery, has generated mixed reactions. The development, however, raises questions around the integrity of Nigeria’s technology minister and the height of Premium Times’ investigation.

Recall that on Tuesday, the Presidency, in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the acceptance of Uche Nnaji’s resignation. The action comes following recent matters surrounding the credibility of his degree and NYSC credentials. 

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him. He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria,” part of the statement reads.

Shortly after the Presidency’s statement, on Tuesday night, the former Innovation Minister released a personal statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account. In that statement, Nnaji claimed that the decision to resign was personal. He also referred to the investigation as being politically sponsored and an attempt to rubbish his integrity.

“This decision did not come lightly. Over the past week, an orchestrated, sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated, and malicious attacks has been waged against my person, integrity, and office across print, electronic, and social media platforms,” part of the statement reads. 

Moreover, Uche Nnaji claimed that while the resignation did not come lightly, it was not borne out of guilt. He noted that it’s a move to separate the ongoing case from distracting him from fulfilling ministerial duties and a choice of respect for judicial proceedings. 

The Presidency’s statement on Tuesday also acknowledged Nnaji’s claims of being falsely accused and being a product of political attacks. In that press release, Bayo Onanuga said the minister was a victim of blackmail by political opponents.

“Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents. President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours,” part of the statement read.

However, investigations by the newspaper revealed that the former minister didn’t complete his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Nigeria, Nsuka (UNN) as he claimed. This also extends to the claims that both the Bachelor’s degree and the NYSC certificate he presented for his ministerial screening in 2023 were forged.

In the two-year-long investigation, Premium Times discovered that Nnaji failed several courses at the university, which was why he didn’t complete his undergraduate degree. It also detailed the fact-check process and forensic analysis of the certificates he paraded.

Also Read: Breaking: Minister of Innovation, Geoffrey Nnaji resigns amid certificate forgery scandal.

A brief look at Premium Times’ investigation 

According to the newspaper, the investigation commenced on 23 October 2023, following a tip-off that the former minister’s NYSC certificate contained discrepancies which could mean it is a forged copy. As such, the former innovation minister’s presentation that he bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Microbiology from UNN in 1985 could also be false.

During its investigation, the UNN vice-chancellor, Simon U. Ortuanya, told the newspaper that while Uche Nnaji was admitted to the institution in 1981, he did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree.

Also, the university claimed that there were no records that confirmed that Nnaji graduated from the institution in July 1985.

Furthermore, the investigation revealed that although the former minister was admitted to study biological sciences at the institution during the 1981/82 academic session, he did not graduate. It was uncovered that he failed some of his courses, including Virology, with the course code MCB 431AB.

Findings by the newspaper also showed that Nnaji failed on several re-sit opportunities and had to be withdrawn from the institution after several disappearances. In a copy of the Order of Proceedings of the 20th Convocation Ceremony of the university, which contains the names of students who graduated in the 1985 set, Mr Nnaji’s name was missing from the list.

His NYSC certificate, when placed under forensic analysis and scrutiny by Premium Times, also revealed indications of forgery.

• His certificate, dated 16 April 1985 to 15 May 1986, came three months earlier than his graduation date of July 1985. This is strange as a graduate cannot commence NYSC months before his graduation date. 
• Nnaji’s certificate indicating he served in Plateau State between 16 April 1985 and 15 May 1986 is questionable. While the calculation reads 13 months, Corp members only serve for 12 months.
• The certificate was issued with an alphanumeric code A231309 in 1986, whereas the practice of adding alphabets to certificate numbers for national service did not begin until the 1990s.
• Nnaji’s certificate was endorsed by “National Director”. Findings by the newspaper show that at least 25 certificates issued by the NYSC between July 1980 and October 1990 were signed by “Director”
• The certificate, dated 15 May 1986, bore the signature of Animashaun Braimoh. Whereas the army colonel served as the fifth CEO of the NYSC between January 1988 and December 1990. So it was impossible that he signed a certificate eighteen months before he assumed office.

The investigation shows how the former minister has paraded an alleged forged certificate to acclaim positions during his career. Also, the confirmation by the UNN’s administration raises critical questions over his integrity.

Court proceedings 

Following the investigation, Uche Nnaji made attempts to block UNN from releasing or tampering with his academic records. However, a judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja rejected the request. 

Through an ex parte motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, Nnaji had asked the court to restrain the university from releasing his academic records. He also sought the court to compel the university and its officials to release his academic transcript to refresh his memory.

In the suit, he sued the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), the University of Nigeria, its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, its Registrar, Professor Oguenjiofor Ujam (a former Acting Vice-Chancellor), and the university’s Senate.

In the court’s explanation earlier this week, Justice Yilwa ruled that while Uche Nnaji had an interest in the matter, the request for an injunction stopping UNN from releasing his records could not be granted. The court ruling cements UNN’s authority to release Nnaji’s academic records to bodies in request.

“I find that the applicant has sufficient interest in the matter, and the application is partly meritorious. Accordingly, prayers 1, 2 and 3 are granted, while prayer 4, which sought an injunction, is declined,” the judge held.

Nnaji’s previous claims on his degree certificate 

There is, however, a surprising angle when Nnaji made a revelation in his affidavit that he never collected his degree certificate. Paragraphs 12 and 13 of his 34-paragraph statement appear to confirm he never collected a certificate from the university.

So, if by his own admission he had not collected his certificate, how did he obtain the one he submitted to the Senate in August 2023 during his ministerial screening?

However, he referred to a letter issued by the university in December 2023 to the People’s Gazette, confirming that he was indeed a student who graduated in 1985 with a Second Class (Lower Division).

“Even though I am yet to collect my certificate from UNN due to the non-cooperative attitude of the university authorities, the institution had issued a letter dated December 21, 2023, to an online news platform confirming that I graduated in July 1985 with a Second Class (Lower Division) in Microbiology/Biochemistry,” he stated in his filing.

Meanwhile, Premium Times’ investigation had countered that claim. It noted that Ortuanya’s response, who was appointed vice chancellor of the university on 2 August 2025, contradicts Celine Nnebedum, the university registrar’s response to People Gazette on 21 December 2023.

However, Premium Times noted that its personal findings and the VC’s response corroborate the allegation of a forged certificate. Also, Nnaji’s claims that he has yet to receive his certificate from the university raises suspicion over the authenticity of the certificate he holds and parades.

Perhaps it is time for the former minister to roll up his sleeves, go back to school, and perfect his graduation.