Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has appealed to the authorities of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) to immediately release his academic transcript, accusing the institution of “playing politics” with his academic records.
Speaking through his spokesman, Dr. Robert Ngwu, at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the minister expressed frustration that the university had continued to withhold his transcript despite what he described as “clear evidence” of his graduation.
Nnaji stated that he earned a BSc degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry with Second Class Honours (Lower Division) in 1985, insisting that the university had no justification to keep holding his records.
The minister, who has been accused of forging the academic certificate he presented to the federal government upon his appointment in 2023, dismissed the allegation as a smear campaign allegedly sponsored by a sitting governor seeking to remove him from office.
“It is increasingly clear that this entire episode is not about education or integrity — it is about political desperation, disguised as academic inquiry. The timing, the sources, the false documents, and the paid narratives all point to a coordinated campaign to drag a reputable public servant into the mud of partisan politics,” he said.
At the briefing, Nnaji presented the university’s 1985 graduation brochure, where his name appeared as “Nnaji Uchenna G” alongside his photograph and other graduating students. He also displayed a letter from the Registrar, Dr. (Mrs.) Celine Ngozi Nnebedum, confirming that he was admitted in 1981 and graduated in 1985.
When asked about the difference in names — “Nnaji Uchenna G” and “Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji” — Dr. Ngwu explained that the discrepancy was inconsequential, noting that “many Igbo names have interchangeable meanings and are often used interchangeably.”
The minister expressed disbelief that after the university confirmed his graduation in an official letter in 2023, it later issued another letter in May 2025 claiming there was no record of his graduation. He accused the Vice Chancellor of being “economical with the truth” and acting under political influence.
According to him, upon learning of alleged attempts by the university to tamper with his records, he approached the court to restrain the institution’s management from “carrying out their nefarious plot.”
Nnaji lamented that despite a court injunction compelling UNN to release his transcript, the university had continued to defy the order.
“The University of Nigeria Nsukka must uphold its proud motto of restoring the dignity of man. It must regain its integrity by distancing itself from political manipulation and reaffirming the authenticity of its own official record.
This is not about one man’s record — it is about protecting truth, preserving institutional honour, and ensuring that no university in Nigeria ever becomes a pawn in partisan politics,” the minister declared.
He urged the university to comply with the court order, stressing that “justice delayed is justice denied,” and called for an end to what he described as “cyberbullying and politically motivated media trials” against him.
