Minister Takes UNN to Court Over Withheld Certificate as Forgery Case Deepens

A fresh legal battle has begun between the Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), over the alleged forgery of his academic certificate.

The case, which came up before Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court in Abuja, was adjourned to November 10 after lawyers representing UNN and its officials failed to submit their defence.

Counsel to the university, Asogwa, assured the court that his clients would maintain the current position until the matter is resolved.Mr. Nnaji, who served as one of President Bola Tinubu’s first ministerial nominees in 2023, has been accused of forging his university and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates.

The allegation, which first surfaced last year, has since generated public debate and political controversy.The minister, through his spokesperson, Dr. Robert Ngwu, claimed that the university was deliberately withholding his academic transcript despite a valid court order compelling its release.

He said the institution was acting under political pressure from those seeking to tarnish his reputation and remove him from office.According to him, he was admitted into UNN in 1981 and graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Biochemistry, Second Class (Lower Division).

He presented a graduation brochure that contained his name and photograph among the 1985 graduating set, as well as a letter from the university registrar confirming his academic history.Mr. Nnaji accused the university of issuing two conflicting letters about his record — one confirming his graduation in 1985 and another, released in May 2025, denying that he ever completed his studies.

He described the contradiction as a politically motivated move to damage his image.He maintained that the university’s refusal to release his transcript was part of a wider plan to manipulate his academic records.

The minister alleged that the ongoing controversy was fueled by political interests disguised as an integrity probe.

Meanwhile, in a related development, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant bodies to verify certificates of public officeholders to prevent individuals with questionable records from gaining power.

Justice Yilwa has adjourned further hearing on the case to November 10 for continuation.