The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has initiated an investigation into a certificate forgery scandal involving Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.
Insider sources have revealed that the anti-graft agency has formally requested documentation related to Nnaji’s ministerial appointment from George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). Additionally, the ICPC has reached out to the Nigerian Senate, seeking the same records.
If sufficient evidence emerges demonstrating that Nnaji forged his credentials, he may face prosecution.
While confirmation is pending regarding whether the ICPC has contacted the National Youth Service Corps in connection with Nnaji’s certificate issues, discussions between the two entities appear to be taking place.
The sources further explained that the registrar of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Celine Nnebedum, has appeared before the ICPC investigator to present the position of the university on the scandal surrounding the former minister’s certificate.
UNN first confirmed Nnaji’s certificate Earlier, in a response to a letter from the Freedom of Information to the People’s Gazetteer Newspaper in 2024, Nnebedum said that the former minister was admitted into the institution in 1981 and graduated in 1985.
However, the registrar made a U-turn and recanted while responding to the same question from the Public Complaints Commission (PCC). In May 2025, she informed the PCC that the varsity had searched for Nnaji’s graduation records for the 1985 session, and the name of the former minister was not on them.
Premium Times further reported that on October 6, 2025, another letter was signed by the Senior Deputy Registrar (Records) of UNN, F.C. Achiuwa, on behalf of Nnebedum, where the registrar also confirmed that Nnaji did not complete his studies at the university and did not get a certificate.
When Nnaji resigned as Tinubu’s minister
Recall that Uche Nnaji resigned as the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation in October 2025 after facing forgery accusations. Investigations revealed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, disowned the degree certificate he presented, stating he never completed his studies. The National Youth Service Corps also denied the authenticity of his NYSC certificate.
Nnaji insisted his resignation was not an admission of guilt but a choice to respect due process.
He stated, “My decision to step aside is therefore a personal choice — not an admission of guilt, but rather a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings currently before the court.”
