UNN Sanctions Official Over False Graduation Claim for Former Minister Nnaji
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has sanctioned a senior administrative official for erroneously confirming that former Innovation, Science and Technology Minister Uche Nnaji graduated from the institution. The action follows an investigative panel’s report that found the official relied on incomplete documentation to issue the false verification.
The panel, constituted by Nigeria’s Minister of Education Tunji Alausa in November 2025, investigated allegations raised by Nnaji in a petition. Nnaji had accused UNN’s Vice-Chancellor, Simon Ortuanya, and other officials of unethical disclosure and document tampering after PREMIUM TIMES published a 2023 report exposing his forged academic certificates.
The seven-member panel, chaired by Rakiya Gambo Ilyasu of the Ministry of Education’s University Education Department, conducted a physical audit at UNN, reviewed academic records, and interviewed key officials, including Vice-Chancellor Ortuanya, former Acting Vice-Chancellor Oguejiofor Ujam, and Registrar Celine Nnebedum.
Its report, obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, concluded that Nnaji’s degree certificate was indeed forged. It also cleared Vice-Chancellor Ortuanya, finding his response to the newspaper’s Freedom of Information request followed proper legal and internal procedures. “There is no evidence of external directives, political influence, or bypassing of procedural steps,” the panel stated.
However, the panel found the Deputy Registrar and Unit Head of Students’ Records, I.A.S. Onyeador, culpable. Onyeador admitted she compiled and signed a verification letter sent to Peoples Gazette in December 2023, falsely stating Nnaji graduated in 1985. She explained she relied on a handwritten grade sheet and sample certificates because the official Senate graduation list and Nnaji’s physical certificate could not be located. The panel deemed this a “procedural breach,” noting the error was later discovered during a separate verification request from the Public Complaints Commission.
UNN management confirmed it had already sanctioned Onyeador by querying and redeploying her to another unit. The report did not specify if Registrar Nnebedum, who initially delegated the task, faced disciplinary action.
The case stems from PREMIUM TIMES’ 2023 investigation, which revealed Nnaji submitted forged UNN and NYSC certificates for his ministerial screening. Nnaji resigned days after the publication. He had previously sued to block UNN from releasing his records, but his court filings admitted he had never collected a degree from the university.
The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) has since opened its own investigation into the forgery. Legal experts have urged prosecution, arguing that resignation alone is insufficient for alleged certificate fraud under Nigerian law.
The panel’s findings highlight systemic failures in academic record verification at UNN while affirming that the Vice-Chancellor acted within his legal obligations in responding to media inquiries. The outcome underscores ongoing scrutiny of public officials’ credentials and institutional accountability in Nigeria.
