A panel assigned by Nigeria's Education Minister, Tunji Alausa, has established that Uche Nnaji, who recently served as the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, indeed falsified his degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
Formed on 23 November 2025 in response to Nnaji's petition following an extensive investigation that lasted two years and was reported by PREMIUM TIMES in October 2023, the seven-member panel's findings corroborate the earlier claims regarding Nnaji's forgery of both his degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates.
The panel presented its comprehensive findings to the Ministry of Education in December 2025.
Nnaji's petition, which he submitted on 14 October 2025, accused senior officials at UNN of unethical practices, including document tampering and political interference concerning his academic records.
He alleged that the Vice-Chancellor, Simon Ortuanya, along with a previous Acting Vice-Chancellor, Oguejiofor Ujam, were involved in crafting unauthorized communications, improperly accessing his academic files, and facilitating misrepresentations of his academic history in the media.
Rakiya Gambo Ilyasu, the Director of the University Education Department in the ministry, led the investigative panel, with James Ocheido serving as the secretary.
The other panel members included Ejeh A. U., the Director of Polytechnics and Allied Institutions, U.C. Uba, the Director of the Colleges of Education Department, and Mohammed Ayuba representing the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC). Additionally, Yusuf Saeed and Foluso Akinlonu, who oversee the Human Resources and Legal Services Units, respectively, were also part of the panel.
The panel utilized methods such as documentary reviews, interviews, and technical audits throughout their investigation, which included in-person visits to UNN to engage with its officials, including both the Vice-Chancellor and the former Acting Vice-Chancellor, examining pertinent documents and university records.
Interviews conducted included those with the Registrar, Celine Nnebedum, and other staff involved with academic records.
The panel asserted that it reviewed Mr. Nnaji's academic files and internal correspondence, such as letters from UNN dated 2023 and 2025.
Moreover, it inspected UNN's historical records, registrar movement logs, convocation archives, and other relevant documentation, including a request by Nnaji for his transcript, as well as verifying the authenticity of letters issued to various media organizations and government bodies by the university.
The panel's report revealed that on 23 November 2025, the members traveled to Nsukka for their investigation. On the following day, 24 November, they met with Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Ortuanya to explain the purpose of their visit and were provided with a venue by the university for their proceedings.
According to the findings, although Mr. Nnaji was admitted to study biological sciences at UNN in the 1981/82 academic session, he did not complete his degree and thus was never issued a certificate due to an unresolved failure in one course—Virology (MCB 431AB).
The report indicated that the panel had thoroughly reviewed the Senate- approved graduation list of 1985 alongside Mr. Nnaji's student file, confirming that he was not included in the graduation roster for that year.
The panel discovered multiple correspondences from 8 November 1985 to 19 May 1986 between Mr. Nnaji and the university's Registry concerning his failed course. In one of his handwritten letters dated May 19, 1986, Mr. Nnaji stated he could not take the exam scheduled for 21 April 1986 due to health issues and included a medical certificate.
However, the panel was unable to confirm that he had ever retaken the failed course. In light of these findings, questions arose about how Nnaji acquired a fraudulent certificate of graduation dated July 1985, which he presented to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly for his ministerial confirmation.
The results of the panel corroborate previous investigations conducted by this newspaper, which highlighted Nnaji's unlawful actions concerning his academic credentials.
In October 2023, PREMIUM TIMES launched its inquiry into Nnaji's academic credentials after he furnished purported degree and NYSC certificates during his ministerial confirmation.
During this process, he claimed to have graduated in 1985 from UNN, but when faced with scrutiny, Nnaji attempted to obstruct the release of his records by filing a lawsuit in the Federal High Court against both UNN and Vice- Chancellor Ortuanya.
Despite his legal attempt to prevent access to his records, Vice-Chancellor Ortuanya, in response to a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act from PREMIUM TIMES, confirmed Nnaji's forgery of the degree certificate.
The registrar at UNN soon aligned with the Vice-Chancellor's assertion, confirming that while Nnaji was enrolled at the university in 1981, he did not complete his studies or receive any certification.
Additionally, the NYSC officials disavowed the discharge certificate that Nnaji presented.
After the investigation by PREMIUM TIMES into the forgery was published, Nnaji resigned from his ministerial position just three days later. Calls for his prosecution have surfaced from numerous Nigerians, who argue that his resignation is insufficient given the severity of his infractions against Nigerian law.
Last week, legal expert Liborous Oshoma condemned the Nigerian government for its failure to initiate legal action against Nnaji, claiming that individuals involved in such violations must face prosecution and serve bans from public office to deter others from similar misconduct.
Additionally, PREMIUM TIMES reported in February that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has launched an investigation into the forgery allegations against Nnaji. Sources have indicated that should the inquiry substantiate claims of forgery, prosecution may follow.
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