Uche Nnaji admits forging university degree

Uche Nnaji admits forging university degree as PREMIUM TIMES investigation confirms minister never received a certificate from UNN

Uche Nnaji has admitted that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), never issued him a degree certificate, confirming long-standing allegations of forgery.

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The minister’s revelation validates PREMIUM TIMES’ two-year investigation, which established that both the degree and NYSC certificates he presented to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate were forgeries.

Allegations first emerged in July 2023, when Mr Nnaji was nominated among President Tinubu’s first cabinet list. Critics had consistently maintained that he never completed his university education.

The admission came in court filings submitted by Mr Nnaji in a suit against UNN, its Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and the Senate of the University.

He sought orders to prevent the university from “tampering with” or releasing details of his academic records.

In his affidavit, Mr Nnaji claimed he graduated in 1985, but also admitted he had not received a certificate from UNN due to alleged non-cooperation by university officials.

Subsequent verification by the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar confirmed that he never completed his studies or earned a degree.

UNN sources told PREMIUM TIMES that the earlier confirmation letter sent to the People’s Gazette in 2023 was either influenced by external pressure or a sincere error by the records office.

The truth, they said, is that Mr Nnaji dropped out and never graduated.

By admitting that UNN never issued him a certificate, Uche Nnaji has effectively confirmed that the credentials submitted for his ministerial appointment were falsified. Questions now remain about how he obtained these documents and how he qualified for NYSC participation.

Despite repeated efforts, Mr Nnaji has declined to comment directly on the matter, ignoring multiple enquiries and follow-up communications from PREMIUM TIMES.

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This revelation raises serious concerns over vetting processes for ministerial appointments and accountability in public office.

Quadri Olaitan