Presidency breaks silence on Minister Nnaji’s certificate forgery allegation

As public pressure mounts on the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, to step down over allegations of certificate forgery, the Presidency has stated that it will take action only after the court delivers its verdict on the matter.

Speaking on Monday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasized that the government will respect the judicial process and refrain from making comments while the case remains before the court.

“The matter is already in court, and it would be inappropriate for the Presidency to make any statement at this stage,” Onanuga said, adding that the federal government will act in accordance with the court’s decision once the legal process is concluded.

“This matter is already in court. We should await the verdict of the court,” Onanuga stated.
The clarification comes following revelations that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) disowned the certificate allegedly submitted by Nnaji.

In a letter dated October 2, 2025, and signed by the vice-chancellor of the university, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, the institution said records showed that Nnaji, with matriculation number 1981/30725, was admitted to study Microbiology/Biochemistry in 1981 but did not complete his studies.

Part of the letter reads: “From every available record and information from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, we are unable to confirm that Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, the current minister of science and technology, graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985, as there are no records of his completion of study.

“Following the above, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka DID NOT and, consequently, COULD NOT have issued the purported certificate in July 1985 to Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji.”

The university said its position was consistent with an earlier letter sent to the Public Complaints Commission on May 13, 2025, in response to a similar inquiry.

However, in his filing before the court, Nnaji admitted that he had yet to collect his degree certificate from the university, attributing the delay to what he described as UNN officials’ “non-cooperative attitude.”

Despite this, calls have intensified from civil society organisations and opposition figures urging Nnaji to step aside pending the case’s conclusion.

But the Presidency says it will not be drawn into the controversy, insisting that due process must take its full course.

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