By DAYO ADESULU
Forged University of Nigeria Degree Certificate Exposed
Fresh controversy has rocked the federal cabinet as new evidence confirms that the degree certificate and NYSC discharge certificate presented by Minister Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji are forgeries.
An extensive investigation by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that both documents were fabricated, and the minister has now, for the first time, admitted in court filings that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) never issued him any certificate.
Minister’s Admission in Court Filings
Mr. Nnaji’s admission emerged from a suit he filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, before Justice Hauwa Yilwa, against the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and top officials of UNN — including its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, and Registrar Celine Nnebedum.
In his motion ex parte, the minister sought prerogative writs to restrain UNN from “tampering with” his academic records and to compel the release of his transcript. He also asked the court to order the Ministry of Education and the NUC to enforce compliance by the university.
Justice Yilwa, in her September 22, 2025 ruling, granted three of his requests but declined to issue an injunction against the defendants. The case was adjourned to October 6 for further hearing.
Insiders told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr. Nnaji initiated the case to prevent UNN from releasing details of his academic history, which could expose inconsistencies in his credentials.
Nnaji’s Startling Disclosure
In his 34-paragraph verifying affidavit, Mr. Nnaji made a shocking revelation. He admitted that he never collected any certificate from UNN, alleging that university officials refused to cooperate with him.
He stated that he was admitted in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry and “graduated” in 1985, but added:
> “Even though I am yet to collect my certificate from the University of Nigeria due to the non-cooperative attitude of the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar…”
He cited a December 21, 2023 letter from UNN’s Registrar, Celine Nnebedum, which claimed he graduated in July 1985 with a Second Class (Lower Division).
However, that letter has since been discredited. In a subsequent communication to the Public Complaints Commission in May 2025, Mrs. Nnebedum retracted her earlier statement, confirming that a search through the 1985 graduation records found no trace of Mr. Nnaji’s name.
UNN’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ortuanya, also confirmed in a 3 October 2025 letter to PREMIUM TIMES that Nnaji did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree.
A senior university official added:
> “The truth is that he never graduated from here. His file shows details up to the point where he dropped out.”
Forgery Confession and NYSC Controversy
By admitting that UNN never issued him a degree certificate, Mr. Nnaji has effectively confessed to forging both the University of Nigeria degree certificate and the NYSC discharge certificate he presented for his 2023 ministerial appointment.
This raises critical questions:
How did he obtain the degree certificate submitted to Nigerian authorities?
If he never graduated, how did he qualify for NYSC service?
During his Senate screening in August 2023, Nnaji submitted 109 copies of a 10-page personal profile, claiming he earned a combined degree in Biochemistry and Microbiology from UNN, without specifying a graduation year.
He further claimed to have completed his NYSC service as a laboratory supervisor at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital in 1985 and later as Assistant Quality Control Manager at Jos International Breweries in 1986.
Among his attached documents were:
A purported UNN Bachelor of Science degree, and
A purported NYSC Certificate of National Service — both now proven to be fake.
Investigation Uncovers Long-Running Forgery
PREMIUM TIMES spent nearly two years verifying the authenticity of Mr. Nnaji’s documents. The findings conclusively established that his UNN degree certificate and NYSC certificate were forged.
UNN’s official clarification, alongside court filings, has now strengthened the case for a criminal investigation into the minister’s credentials.
Minister Maintains Silence
Despite multiple attempts to obtain his reaction, Mr. Nnaji declined to comment.
He ignored a detailed written inquiry sent to his office on 8 January 2024, officially acknowledged and stamped as received on 18 January 2024. He also failed to respond to follow-up calls, messages, and emails from PREMIUM TIMES.
Key Takeaway
The revelation that Mr. Nnaji’s University of Nigeria degree certificate and NYSC certificate were forged raises serious ethical and legal questions. As pressure mounts for accountability, Nigerians are demanding transparency from public office holders entrusted with national leadership.
