In a stunning twist to an ongoing forgery scandal, President Bola Tinubu’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has reportedly confessed to forging his University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate, following weeks of mounting pressure and evidence unearthed by investigative journalists.
Sources close to the minister’s camp revealed that Mr. Nnaji admitted to fabricating the certificate after investigators confronted him with documentary proof showing he never graduated from the University of Nigeria.
The confession reportedly came after a detailed investigation uncovered that although Mr. Nnaji was admitted to study Biological Sciences at UNN during the 1981/82 academic session, he failed several courses, including Virology (MCB 431AB), and was advised by the university to withdraw for repeated absenteeism.
Despite his poor academic record, Nnaji allegedly paraded a forged certificate claiming he graduated in July 1985. However, records obtained from the university showed he even wrote a letter dated May 1, 1986, pleading for another opportunity to take a pending course in September that year — clear evidence that he was not a graduate at the time.
Earlier, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) had also dismissed his NYSC certificate as fake, confirming through an official response dated September 23, 2023, that there was no record of his participation in the national service scheme.
Multiple sources confirmed that the minister’s eventual admission came after investigators showed him internal UNN records and the official convocation list of 1985, which did not include his name.
Mr. Nnaji, who has faced growing public scrutiny over the authenticity of his credentials, reportedly told confidants that he “regrets his actions” and is “ready to face the consequences.”
However, as of press time, there has been no official statement from the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology or the Presidency regarding the alleged confession.
Why It Matters:
The revelation marks a major credibility blow to the Tinubu administration, which has repeatedly pledged to uphold transparency and integrity in public office. If officially confirmed, it could trigger a broader investigation into credential fraud among top government officials.
Stay tuned to Headlineswave.ng for verified updates on this developing story.
