Inside the UNN Certificate Controversy: How Politics, Power, and Alleged Bias Fuel the Battle Between Minister Uche Nnaji and Vice Chancellor Simon Ortuanya

The unfolding controversy surrounding the authenticity of Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji’s academic records at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has continued to raise eyebrows not just for its substance, but for the seeming haste, tone, and politics behind the University’s official response.

The deeper one digs into the matter, the more it appears that the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, may have acted with unusual speed and questionable procedure leading many to suspect that the issue may be less about academic records and more about political undercurrents in Enugu State.

A Question of Procedure: Who Should Have Spoken for UNN?

Experienced academics and alumni have pointed out a fundamental procedural flaw in the entire episode. Ordinarily, academic records fall under the purview of the Registrar, not the Vice Chancellor. Yet, Prof. Ortuanya, who had only been in office for about two months, directly replied to an inquiry by Premium Times on the matter.

In typical university protocol, a Vice Chancellor would have minuted such a letter to the Registrar for verification and formal response. But in this case, Prof. Ortuanya personally authored and signed a letter denying knowledge of Minister Nnaji’s graduation from UNN, a move described by observers as “highly unorthodox.”

A Race Against Time: How a 40-Year-Old Inquiry Was Concluded in 24 Hours

The timeline of events raises further doubts about due diligence. Premium Times’ letter to UNN was dated Monday, September 29, 2025. Yet, by Thursday, October 2, barely three days later, including a public holiday, the Vice Chancellor’s response was already dispatched.

Even if the inquiry had been delivered overnight, Prof. Ortuanya would have had just a few working hours to retrieve, review, and verify 40-year-old academic records before issuing an emphatic denial. To many, this near-instantaneous investigation borders on the impossible, unless the response had been premeditated.

The Content and Tone: A Response That Raises More Questions

The content of the VC’s letter further fueled suspicion of bias. His statement read: “From every available record and information from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, we are unable to confirm that Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, the current Minister of Science and Technology, graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985.”

While the message could have been framed in neutral academic terms, Prof. Ortuanya’s repeated emphasis on “the current Minister of Science and Technology” seemed deliberate, injecting political relevance into what should have been a purely administrative clarification.

In another paragraph, he wrote, in emphatic capital letters: “The University of Nigeria, Nsukka DID NOT and consequently COULD NOT have issued the purported certificate, or at all, in July 1985 to Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, the current Minister of Science and Technology.”

Observers noted that the choice of words, “DID NOT” and “COULD NOT,” conveyed an unusual level of finality, uncharacteristic of academic communication, and suggested that the University may have already taken a position beyond factual verification.

A Mysterious Attachment: Evidence No One Asked For

Perhaps most telling was the VC’s decision to attach an earlier UNN letter dated May 13, 2025, addressed to the Public Complaints Commission on the same issue even though Premium Times had not requested it. This unsolicited attachment has been viewed by analysts as an attempt to reinforce a predetermined narrative against the Minister.

The Politics Behind the Scandal: Enugu 2027 in Focus

Political observers argue that the controversy cannot be divorced from Enugu State’s evolving power dynamics. Reports have been rife that Governor Peter Mbah under whom Prof. Ortuanya allegedly rose to prominence is considering a defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

If such a move materializes, it would pit Mbah against key APC figures in Enugu, including Minister Nnaji. Analysts believe that the “certificate scandal” could be a preemptive strike aimed at discrediting Nnaji and weakening his influence within the federal cabinet, thereby clearing political obstacles for Mbah’s next moves.

Prof. Ortuanya’s involvement, therefore, may not be coincidental. Insiders speculate that his actions could be part of a larger political calculation to protect his benefactor’s interests by tarnishing Nnaji’s credibility.

Counterattack: Nnaji’s Camp Produces Documentary Proof

In response, supporters of Minister Nnaji have released documents that appear to challenge UNN’s position. Among the records is a 1985 departmental graduation list from the Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, which includes “Nnaji Uchenna G.” listed as one of the graduating students.

The list, signed under the academic leadership of Dr. E.E.C. Okafor (Head of Department), also includes names of other graduates from that year, providing historical context that supports Nnaji’s claim of having completed his degree.

Historical Note: The 1985 Microbiology Class That Produced Leaders

Records from the 1985 graduating class show that the Department of Microbiology produced some of the institution’s finest scientists and future public figures. Among them, Nnaji Uchenna G., who would later rise to national prominence as a technocrat and now, Minister of Science and Technology.

Conclusion: More Than a Certificate, A Battle for Influence

The controversy at UNN appears to be more than a mere academic dispute. It is rapidly evolving into a political chess game involving power blocs in Enugu State and the federal cabinet.

As both sides dig in, one thing remains clear: the truth behind the 1985 graduation claim may soon be overshadowed by the larger battle for political dominance where academic records have become weapons, and the university, a battlefield.

Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria Nsukk 1985 Graduating Class

Academic Leadership

• Dr. E.E.C. Okafor – Head of Department

• Dr. N.N. Nwobu – Senior Lecturer

• Dr. S.O. Okafor – Lecturer

Graduating Students:

1. Okoro Godson N.

2. Udeh Anthony C.

3. Ijeoma Charles O.

4. Obiekwe C.C.

5. Nnaji Uchenna G. ✅ (highlighted in the image)

6. Ezeaku F.C.

7. Akaneme P.C.

8. Okonkwo Fidelis N.

9. Chukwuma E.E.

10. Nwankwo R.

11. Onyekwelu P.A.

12. Ogbonna A.

13. Umeora F.N.

14. Eze A.N.

15. Nwankwo B.C.

16. Anyaegbunam C.

17. Onah Francis

18. Onwukwe E.

19. Eze A.I.

20. Okafor J.C.

21. Obi S.O.

22. Ogbuagu L.C.

23. Nwankwo C.C.

24. Okeke E.N.

25. Ike E.C.

26. Okeke J.C.

27. Eze R.A.

28. Ogbonna C.C.

29. Ogbu E. N

30. Oji A.E

31. Okafor B. C

By all indications, the real story may not be about whether Uche Nnaji graduated from UNN, but about who stands to gain or lose from the narrative.