The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has publicly denied allegations regarding his academic qualifications, describing the claims as unfounded and politically motivated.

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Robert Ngwu, at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the Minister addressed reports alleging discrepancies in his academic records from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

Nnaji said the reports, published by a national online news platform, have caused significant reputational damage and called on the public to examine the facts.

“Starting from May 2025, a purported letter surfaced allegedly written by the university suddenly claiming that there were no records of the Minister’s graduation. The question every Nigerian should ask is simple and logical, what changed between December 2023 and October 2025?” Ngwu said.

He stated that the Minister was duly admitted into UNN in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry, graduating in 1985 with a Second Class Honours (Lower Division).

To support this, a document was presented at the briefing, reportedly issued by the university’s Registrar, Dr. Mrs. Celine Ngozi Nnebedum, and signed on her behalf by IAS Onyeador on December 21, 2023.

The letter reads in part: “This is to confirm that Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji with registration number 1981/30725 was admitted in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985 with Bachelor of Science in Microbiology/Biochemistry, Second Class (Hons) Lower Division.”

Nnaji contends that the above letter remains the official position of the university, and expressed concern over a separate document circulated in May 2025, which allegedly contradicted the earlier record.

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The Minister attributed the controversy to political interests, stating that he believes it is linked to his potential candidacy in the 2027 Enugu State gubernatorial election.

“It is increasingly clear that this entire episode is not about education or integrity, it is about political desperation disguised as academic inquiry. The timing, the sources, the false documents and the paid narratives all point to a coordinated campaign to drag a reputable public servant into the mud of partisan politics. But Nigerians are wiser than that,” he said.

He also questioned the role of the Vice Chancellor in the matter: “By academic convention worldwide, the Registrar and not the Vice Chancellor is the custodian of all examination and graduation records. Any attempt by the Vice Chancellor to assume that role is an aberration in the university protocol and in his case an obvious political overreach,” Ngwu added.

To protect his academic records, the Minister said he had sought redress at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He cited Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, in which the court, presided over by Justice H.J. Yilwa, granted a series of protective orders on September 22, 2025.

According to the Minister: “These are not speculative claims, they are certified orders of the Federal High Court of Nigeria and that alone should settle the matter. Unfortunately instead of adhering strictly to the valid court order, the Vice Chancellor of the UNN, a lawyer by profession, resorted to cyber bullying and politically-motivated media trial against Chief Nnaji.”

He also reaffirmed that the university’s convocation brochure, archived at UNN, lists his name among graduates, a detail he says further validates his academic record.

“The facts are before the court, the document is in public domain and the truth cannot be buried under political propaganda,” he said.

The Minister concluded that he remains focused on his national assignment and will not be deterred by what he described as efforts to politicize academic and media institutions.