Pressure continues to mount on Uche Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation, amid allegations of certificate forgery. Two leading Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) – the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria – have called for the minister’s immediate resignation and a public apology to the nation.
Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, a prominent civil rights leader, emphasized that politicians should not resort to dishonest means to acquire degrees, stating, “Political officeholders can serve with a school certificate, as stipulated by the constitution, without needing to fabricate qualifications.” He further criticized Nnaji for failing to step down, attributing his position to his close ties with the president.
Rafsanjani continued, “If you’re caught lying about your credentials, the only dignified option is resignation. You cannot promote deceit and fraud while claiming to be a leader. What kind of example does this set?” He pointed out the growing number of public officials facing integrity challenges, urging the president to distance his administration from individuals with questionable reputations.
Professor Ademola Adaranijo, a legal expert, echoed Rafsanjani’s calls, recommending that the federal government suspend Nnaji until the allegations are thoroughly investigated. He stressed the importance of maintaining public trust and implementing zero tolerance for fraud within the government.
Lagos-based lawyer Wahab Abdullahi added that if the forgery allegations are confirmed, Nnaji would be guilty of a criminal offense, punishable by up to 14 years in prison under Nigerian law. Abdullahi also highlighted the constitutional violations involved, referencing the mandate for asset and credential disclosures by public officials.
Idowu Phillips, Director of the Public and Private Anti-Corruption Coalition (PPAC), further condemned the allegations, calling them “grave and criminal.” He emphasized that the case should not be overlooked, stating, “Allowing a minister with forged credentials to remain in office undermines the integrity of government institutions.”
In a separate development, Uche Nnaji sought a Federal High Court injunction to prevent the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, from releasing his academic records. However, the court dismissed his request, ruling that Nnaji lacked sufficient grounds for such an order. The University had already disavowed his claim of graduation in a letter dated October 2, 2025, stating that no records confirmed his completion of studies.
Despite this, Nnaji had previously submitted a document to the Senate in 2023, which included a degree certificate purportedly from the University of Nigeria. In court, Nnaji admitted that while he had not collected his degree certificate, he was still registered as a graduate in the university’s records.
In response to the growing controversy, Nnaji has accused Enugu State Governor, Peter Mba, of orchestrating a smear campaign against him. The minister’s spokesperson, Dr. Robert Ngwu, claimed that the governor, fearful of Nnaji’s potential political influence ahead of the 2027 elections, is behind the allegations. Nnaji also accused the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria of complicity in the matter.
In his defense, the ministry’s spokesperson, Mrs. Pauline Sule, dismissed the allegations as “fake news,” stating that the minister is actively addressing the issue and plans to release further statements soon. The case is set to be heard again on October 6, 2025.
