New documents from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, have contradicted Minister Uche Nnaji’s claims of graduating in 1985, revealing he was still attempting to re-sit a failed course months after his alleged graduation.
Fresh evidence has surfaced suggesting that the academic credentials of Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, may have been forged. According to a Premium Times investigation, Mr Nnaji, who claimed to have graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in July 1985, was still corresponding with the school about a failed course, MCB 431AB (Virology), months later.
Letters from UNN’s registrar dated November 1985 showed that Mr Nnaji failed the course and was instructed to re-sit the exam in 1986 after paying a fee of N4. In a January 1986 letter, he confirmed payment but missed the exam, later citing illness in a May 1986 letter requesting another chance. UNN’s Vice-Chancellor, Simon Ortuanya, confirmed that Mr Nnaji never returned to complete the course.
The minister’s NYSC discharge certificate indicates he began service in April 1985—months before his claimed graduation—contradicting university records. Critics say the inconsistencies cast doubt on how he passed security clearance for his 2023 ministerial appointment.
Despite the revelations, Mr Nnaji has admitted UNN never issued him a degree certificate but has yet to publicly address the forgery allegations.