Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has dismissed reports by Premium Times alleging he forged his academic certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Nnaji, through his media aide, Dr Robert Ngwu, said the allegation was a politically motivated smear campaign instigated by Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, to discredit him ahead of the 2027 governorship race.
He presented a document issued by UNN’s Registrar’s office in December 2023, which confirmed that “Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji” was admitted in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry and graduated in July 1985 with a Second Class Honours (Lower Division). The letter was in response to a request by journalists for verification of his academic records.
Nnaji questioned why, two years later, another UNN document surfaced in May 2025 stating that no record of his graduation existed. He accused the Vice Chancellor at the time of being a PDP member and acting under political pressure.
“By academic convention, the Registrar—not the Vice Chancellor—is the custodian of graduation records. Any attempt by the VC to usurp this role is an aberration and in this case, politically motivated,” he said.
The minister disclosed that he had sought legal redress. On September 22, 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted injunctions restraining UNN from tampering with his records, compelling the release of his transcripts, and mandating compliance by supervising authorities.
Nnaji insisted that the matter was already settled in court and accused Premium Times of building its “false narrative” on forged or politically influenced documents.
He also addressed inconsistencies in his name across UNN records—appearing as “Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji” in one and “Nnaji G.G. Uchenna” in a convocation brochure—dismissing the discrepancy as insignificant.
“This is not about education or integrity; it is about political desperation. The facts are before the court and Nigerians are wise enough to see through the propaganda,” he said.
