Certificate Scandal: Enugu Govt Distances Itself as Minister Uche Nnaji Faces Tough Questions Over Alleged Forgery
The Enugu State Government has strongly denied any involvement in the escalating certificate forgery scandal surrounding the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, calling on him to take responsibility and address the allegations personally.

The controversy deepened after Nnaji’s media aide, Robert Ngwu, accused Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah of masterminding a smear campaign against his principal. Ngwu, at a press conference in Abuja, dismissed reports that Nnaji forged his University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and NYSC certificates, describing them as “politically motivated lies.”

“All these sponsored attacks are being coordinated by Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State. The governor has given a new name to all his problems — Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji,” Ngwu alleged.



However, Governor Mbah swiftly rebutted the claims through his aides, urging the minister to face his own issues.

“Carry your cross,” Mbah said, stressing that his administration had no hand in the matter.


University Disowns Minister’s Certificate

The scandal stems from a Premium Times investigation revealing that UNN disowned Nnaji’s academic certificate. According to the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, though Nnaji was admitted in 1981, there were no records showing that he graduated in 1985 as claimed.

“From our records, we cannot confirm that Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985,” Ortuanya said in a Freedom of Information response.



This contradicted an earlier letter from UNN’s Registrar, Celine Nnebedum, who had initially confirmed Nnaji’s graduation but later recanted, stating that his name was missing from the official list.

Legal Battle and Missing Records

Nnaji has since taken legal action against the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and UNN, accusing them of withholding his transcript despite a court order.

Ngwu alleged that the minister’s academic file was being “kept under lock and key” in the Vice-Chancellor’s office, suggesting foul play.

He also downplayed concerns about discrepancies in Nnaji’s names, insisting that “Uchenna” and “Uchechukwu” are interchangeable in Igbo culture.

‘Carry Your Cross’

In a strongly worded statement, Enugu’s Director of Information, Chukwuemeka Nebo, dismissed Nnaji’s claims, saying the minister must answer to the allegations directly.

“The honourable minister must carry his own cross and clear his name before Nigerians instead of dragging the Enugu State Government into issues that are entirely personal to him,” Nebo said.


He criticized Nnaji for sending aides to address the media instead of speaking for himself, describing it as an attempt to “run from accountability.”

“Why invite journalists and then fail to show up? If he truly has nothing to hide, he should face the press and explain,” Nebo added.


Nebo went on to list several inconsistencies that demand clarification — including claims that Nnaji failed key university courses, presented questionable NYSC documents, and submitted only his WASC certificate to INEC during the 2023 governorship race.

He also questioned the authenticity of the NYSC discharge certificate, which bore the signature of Col. Animashaun Braimoh, who only became NYSC Director-General two years after Nnaji’s supposed service year.

“If the minister himself swore in an affidavit that UNN never issued him a certificate, Nigerians deserve to know how he obtained the one he presented to the Senate,” Nebo stated.

As calls for transparency grow, both the public and media are urging Minister Nnaji to address the controversy head-on. The Enugu Government maintains it has no hand in the saga, emphasizing that the truth must come directly from the minister himself.

“These are questions Nigerians are asking,” Nebo concluded. “If Chief Nnaji is innocent, let him come forward and prove it.”