Minister maintains innocence in alleged certificate forgery saga

Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, minister of innovation, science and technology, has affirmed he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, dismissing the allegation that he forged his academic certificate. Nnaji, who spoke through his spokesperson Robert Ngwu, at a press conference on Monday, explained that the university management had refused to release the transcript of his academic records despite a court order compelling him to do so. He accused the institution’s vice chancellor of acting a script dictated to him by a ‘governor’, thereby insinuating the accusations were politically motivated.

Ngwu said, “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 also urged the university to maintain its integrity while “distancing itself from political manipulation” by “reaffirming the authenticity of its own official record.”

Nnaji’s spokesperson, Ngwu, displayed a graduation brochure showing the name and picture of ‘Nnaji Uchenna G’ as one of the graduating students of his 1985 set. He also paraded before journalists a letter issued to him by the Registrar, Dr. Mrs. Celine Ngozi Nnebedum, confirming that the institution admitted him in 1981 and that he graduated in 1985. However, the minister failed to explain a discrepancy spotted in the said registrar’s letter, as it has ‘Uchechukwu’ and not ‘Uchena’ as the middle name of the graduand. But, Ngwu dismissed the concern, saying Igbo names has the same meanings.