UNN Manipulating Nnaji’s Academic Records, Says Minister’s Aide

The spokesperson for the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has accused the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), of tampering with the minister’s academic files amid an ongoing certificate forgery allegation.

The allegation, made by Robert Ngwu, comes as Nnaji continues to face scrutiny over claims that he forged his academic certificate following his political appointment in 2023. The minister, who is currently in court over the matter, has insisted that the university has been withholding his academic transcript despite his formal request and payment for it.

During a session before Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court on Monday, Nnaji maintained that he legitimately obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry with Second Class Honours (Lower Division) from the institution in 1985. He argued that the university’s continued refusal to release his transcript was unjustified and politically motivated.

Minister Seeks Court Protection Over Alleged File Tampering

Appearing on The Morning Brief on Channels Television on Tuesday, Nnaji’s spokesperson, Robert Ngwu, alleged that UNN officials were “playing politics” with his principal’s academic records. He claimed that sensitive student information had been leaked online, suggesting deliberate tampering with Nnaji’s personal academic files.

“He didn’t ask the institution not to touch his academic records,” Ngwu clarified. “He only said they should not tamper or manipulate them. We saw some of his students’ information online, which means someone deliberately released it. From what we gathered, manipulations were going on within the school system.”

According to him, the minister approached the Federal High Court to seek legal protection and compel the university to release his transcript. “In May, he applied for his transcript and paid for it, yet it has not been released,” Ngwu added.

He further alleged that the current Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution is a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which, he claimed, has made the issue more politically charged. “Under normal circumstances, a partisan individual shouldn’t be a Vice Chancellor,” Ngwu said. “In Enugu, PDP has maintained control for decades, and they often go after anyone who might challenge their dominance. The minister believes this political undercurrent is part of the reason his records are being tampered with.”

Court Orders UNN To Refrain From Further Interference

Ngwu also confirmed that during Monday’s court session, the minister’s legal team requested several protections from the court regarding the handling of his academic documents.

“There was an injunction granted by the court,” he said. “The minister sought protection, and the judge ruled that the university must stop tampering with his academic files because information showed that his records had been lodged in the Vice Chancellor’s office for the past six months.”

The court, according to Ngwu, also ordered UNN to release Nnaji’s transcript without further delay and directed the supervising education authorities to ensure compliance with institutional regulations. “The court granted all three requests, that the school should stop tampering with his files, release his transcript, and that the supervising authority should properly oversee the university’s actions,” Ngwu stated.

The forgery allegations first surfaced shortly after Nnaji’s appointment as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology in 2023. Critics questioned the authenticity of his degree from the University of Nigeria, a claim the minister has repeatedly denied.

While the case remains before the court, Nnaji’s camp insists that the entire controversy is politically motivated, linking it to internal party rivalries and efforts to discredit his growing influence in Enugu State.

Observers say the case underscores a recurring problem in Nigeria’s public sector, where certificate controversies often emerge following high-profile appointments. The situation has also renewed calls for Nigerian universities to maintain transparency in record-keeping and ensure timely issuance of academic transcripts to prevent politically driven disputes.

As the legal proceedings continue, both the minister and the university are expected to present further evidence in the coming weeks. The case has generated considerable public interest, with many Nigerians watching to see whether the court’s injunction will be enforced and if the university will finally release the disputed transcript.