Immediate action will not be taken against Minister of Science, Nnaji over alleged certificate forgery scandal – Presidency

As allegation of certificate forgery scandal against the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji intensifies, the Presidency has reacted, saying, it will remain mute over the disturbing development until Court has delivered judgment.

The clarification was offered by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in his response to the issue following inquires by journaliss in Abuja.

Onanuga, said the matter has been taken to court and the presidency would not meddle into it until after the verdict.

It is recalled that the management of the University of Nigeria Nsukka debunked the purported Bachelor of Science degree certificate allegedly submitted by the minister, thereby triggering further reactions from the public domain.

In a letter dated October 2, 2025, and signed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, the institution confirmed that although Nnaji was admitted in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry, he never completed the programme.

“From every available record and information from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, we are unable to confirm that Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, the current Minister of Science and Technology, graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985, as there are no records of his completion of study.

“Following the above, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka DID NOT and, consequently, COULD NOT have issued the purported certificate in July 1985 to Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji,” the letter stated.

The UNN confirmed that its position in an earlier letter dated May 13, 2025 is still their position which was that the citadel of learning could not confirm that the Minister graduated.

In his filing before the Federal High Court, Nnaji admitted that he had not yet collected his degree certificate, blaming the delay on what he described as the university’s “non-cooperative attitude.”

The minister, however, insists he graduated in 1985, citing a previous letter from the university in December 2023 that had affirmed his graduation.

Meanwhile, civil society organisations and opposition politicians have continued to demand that Nnaji step aside pending the conclusion of the case.

Critics argue that his continued stay in office undermines public trust in the government’s anti-corruption stance.
Despite the mounting pressure, the Presidency has insisted it would not be drawn into the controversy.