Abuja, Nigeria – The controversy surrounding the academic credentials of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has taken a dramatic political turn, with the Minister publicly accusing Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah of sponsoring the allegations against him.
The Minister’s camp claims the renewed focus on his certificates—which the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have reportedly disowned—is a targeted political hit designed to remove him from the political landscape.
Speaking yesterday in Abuja through his spokesperson, Dr. Robert Ngwu, Minister Nnaji labeled the allegations as “unfounded” and a “political witch-hunt” engineered by the Governor.
Dr. Ngwu alleged that the Governor’s motive is twofold: to secure his second term bid and to pave the way for a political defection.
“Governor Mbah wants Nnaji out of the way. He is seeking a second term in office and the only way to achieve this is to get Nnaji out of the way,” Ngwu claimed, adding, “He wants to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) but is fully aware that Nnaji is there. He is not comfortable.”
The allegations against the Minister, initially reported by an online medium, suggest that Nnaji forged credentials from UNN, which he had presented during his ministerial screening and confirmation by the Senate. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) noted that it was not surprised President Bola Tinubu retained Nnaji in the cabinet, even after the institutions had reportedly disowned the documents.
In his defense, Dr. Ngwu maintained that Minister Nnaji is a “proud alumnus” of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, having graduated in July 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry. He asserted that this graduation is fully documented in the institution’s official records and the 1985 Convocation Brochure, and that Nnaji was issued a certificate necessary for his mandatory NYSC enrollment.
Ngwu placed the blame for any current certificate discrepancy squarely on the university hierarchy, accusing the Vice Chancellor—who he alleged is a card-carrying member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—of being used by Governor Mbah to destroy the Minister.
In a proactive move, the Minister’s spokesman revealed that Nnaji had sought legal redress upon discovering attempts within the university to tamper with his academic file. On September 22, a court granted an injunction restraining the Vice Chancellor and UNN management from altering the Minister’s academic records. The court also reportedly issued an order of mandamus compelling the school to release his academic transcript, which Ngwu claimed the school has so far refused to obey.
The Minister, through his spokesperson, called on UNN authorities to “uphold its proud motto and reclaim its integrity by distancing itself from political manipulation,” urging them to reaffirm the authenticity of their own official record. “This is not just about one man’s academic record; it is about protecting truth, preserving institutional honour and ensuring that no university in Nigeria ever becomes a pawn in partisan politics,” Ngwu concluded.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued in Abuja by ADC’s Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, described the Tinubu government’s silence as proof of its ample tolerance for corruption of all kinds.
The party described it as a great disservice to the country, which has many qualified citizens of competence and integrity, to have at the head of a ministry meant to drive innovation a man tainted with such dubious credentials.
“ADC is not surprised that despite mounting evidence and public outrage, Nnaji remains in office after being accused and subsequently admitting that the certificates he presented were not issued by the relevant institutions and may have been forged.
“We note that this is not an isolated case. The APC government has had a long, public, and familiar record of certificate-related scandals and questionable academic claims among top officials. These recurring scandals and the persistent stench of certificate forgery are indeed reflective of a party that is foundationally accommodating of deceit and clearly unbothered by basic ethical considerations,” it noted.
