I graduated from UNN in 1985 – Minister

From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja and Olileanya Ezekwesiri

Against the backdrop of allegations of certificate forgery, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, has insisted he graduated from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in 1985.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, the minister through his special adviser, Dr. Robert Ngwu said the accusation is politically motivated pointing fingers to the governor of Enugu State as the sponsor of the scandal.

According to him, the governor sees Nnaji as a threat to his (Mbah’s) second term governorship ambition. So, the best way to smear him is to drag him to the mud through a certificate scandal.

“It’s increasingly clear that this entire episode is not about education or integrity, it’s about political desperation, disguised as academic inquiry. The timing, the sources, the false documents, and the paid narratives, all point to a co-ordinated campaign to drag a reputable public servant into the mud of partisan politics.

But Nigerians are wiser than that. The facts are before the courts, the documents are public and the truth cannot be buried under political propaganda” he said.

According to the minister, he is focused on his work and mandate -advancing innovation, building Nigeria’s science and technology capacity and restoring the nation’s confidence in research-driven industrial growth.

Recall that the University of UNN, had earlier disowned the Bachelor of Science degree presented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, declaring that he did not graduate from the institution and was never issued a certificate.

The university’s position was conveyed in an official letter dated October 2, 2025, and signed by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, in response to a Freedom of Information request filed by an investigative news platform.