The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has finally revealed its stance on the veracity of a Bachelor of Science certificate allegedly issued to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji.
The University confirmed that it did not issue any certificate to the minister, insisting that he did not complete his studies at the institution.
According to a report by Premium Times, which has been investigating the matter for two years, UNN Vice-Chancellor Simon Ortuanya confirmed in a letter dated 2 October 2025 that although Mr Nnaji was admitted into the university in 1981, records show he never graduated.
“We can confirm that Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, with Matriculation Number 1981/30725, was admitted by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1981,” Mr Ortuanya wrote. “From every available records and information from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, we are unable to confirm that Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, the current Minister of Science and Technology, graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985, as there are no records of his completion of study in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
“Flowing from above, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka DID NOT and consequently, COULD NOT have issued the purported certificate, or at all, in July 1985 to Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, the current Minister of Science and Technology,” he added.
Allegations of certificate forgery have trailed Mr Nnaji since his nomination as a minister in July 2023. His critics maintain that both his university degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate are fake, raising concerns about the credentials he presented to President Bola Tinubu and other government institutions.
The university’s latest position, aligns with a previous letter it sent to the Public Complaints Commission in May 2025, in which it also disowned the certificate.
The minister is yet to react to this latest declaration by the Nigerian university.
