Story: written by Zara Written by October 6,2025

Minister Admits University Never Issued Him Degree Certificate Amid Forgery Allegations

A fresh twist has emerged in the ongoing certificate scandal involving a Nigerian minister, as he admitted in court that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), never issued him a degree certificate. This admission validates a two-year investigative report that had earlier accused him of presenting forged academic and NYSC documents to President Bola Tinubu and the Senate during his 2023 ministerial screening.

The revelation, first reported by Premium Times, has reignited public outrage and intensified calls for accountability within the government.

Forgery Allegations Date Back to Ministerial Screening

Controversy over the minister’s credentials began in July 2023, shortly after President Tinubu included him among the first batch of ministerial nominees. Critics quickly raised doubts about the authenticity of his university and NYSC certificates, alleging that he never completed his degree program.

A two-year investigation by BusinessDay and Premium Times later concluded that both his bachelor’s degree and NYSC discharge certificate were fake, citing discrepancies between his claimed records and those from the University of Nigeria.

Until recently, the minister had not publicly responded to the allegations. However, new court documents filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja have now revealed his version of events — including a sworn admission that he was never issued a certificate by UNN.

Court Filings Expose Minister’s Admission

In a suit before Justice Hauwa Yilwa, the minister sued multiple parties, including:

• The Minister of Education,
• The National Universities Commission (NUC),
• The University of Nigeria (UNN),
• The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, and
• The Registrar, Professor Oguenjiofor Ujam.

Through a motion ex parte, the minister asked the court to stop UNN from releasing or altering his academic records and to compel the university to release his transcript. He also sought an order directing the Minister of Education and NUC to ensure UNN’s compliance.

Justice Yilwa granted three of his requests but refused to restrain the university from releasing information about his records. The matter was adjourned to October 6 for further hearing.

Sources close to the case said the minister’s lawsuit was an attempt to block journalists and investigators from accessing his student records, even as he sought to obtain his transcript to “refresh his memory” about his time at UNN.

Affidavit Confirms Lack of Degree Certificate

The most striking revelation came from the minister’s sworn affidavit, where he openly acknowledged that he never received a certificate from the university.

In paragraph 12, he stated that he was admitted in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry and completed the program in 1985. But in paragraph 13, he admitted that he was never issued a degree certificate, blaming the “non-cooperative attitude” of UNN officials for his inability to collect it.

He referred to a letter from UNN dated December 2023, confirming that he was indeed a student and graduated with a Second Class (Lower Division), but the letter did not include or replace a certificate — effectively confirming that he does not possess one.

Public Outrage and Calls for Suspension

The minister’s admission has sparked widespread outrage among Nigerians, with civil society groups demanding his immediate suspension and investigation. Many argue that his continued stay in office undermines the credibility of the Tinubu administration, especially as he heads a ministry focused on science, technology, and innovation.

Opposition lawmakers have also seized on the scandal, accusing the government of overlooking dishonesty and forgery among public officials.

“How can someone who forged a certificate be in charge of science and technology?” an opposition member asked.

Legal Experts Warn of Prosecution

Legal analysts say the minister’s admission under oath could expose him to criminal prosecution under Nigerian law, which prohibits the use of forged documents and the submission of false information for public appointments.

Broader Implications for Nigeria’s Vetting Process

The case has reignited debate about integrity and background checks in Nigeria’s public sector. Critics argue that the scandal reflects a systemic failure in the screening process for ministers and senior appointees, where allegations of certificate forgery have become increasingly common.

The Federal High Court is expected to continue hearing the case in the coming days. The ruling could have far-reaching consequences — not only for the embattled minister but also for Nigeria’s credibility in enforcing transparency and accountability in public office.