NEWS
Fresh Pressure Mounts on UNN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, Amid Alleged Certificate Tampering Scandal Involving Former Minister Uche Nnaji
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Simon Ortuanya, is facing renewed calls to step down from office over allegations that he tampered with the academic documents of former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji.
The controversy stems from claims that Ortuanya manipulated Nnaji’s university records while the former minister was under scrutiny for allegedly falsifying his UNN degree certificate. This allegation follows an earlier clearance given to Nnaji by the Registrar of the University.
At a press conference, the Joint Civil Society Front (JCSF) of Enugu State disclosed that the Minister for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had established an investigative panel to probe the circumstances surrounding the alleged certificate tampering scandal.
Attempts to obtain a response from Prof. Ortuanya were unsuccessful, as both the Vice Chancellor and the university’s public relations unit declined to comment on the matter.
Despite the silence from the university, the civil society group insists that Ortuanya should step aside from his position, as Nnaji did, to ensure a fair and impartial investigation by the Federal Ministry of Education’s Panel of Inquiry.
Coordinator of JCSF, Vincent Ani, explained that the pressure on Ortuanya is linked to his direct release of Nnaji’s academic records. Ani claimed that “Nnaji did not graduate from UNN,” asserting that the Vice Chancellor had tampered with Nnaji’s academic records, thereby bypassing the Registrar, the statutory custodian of such records.
“This action bypassed the Registrar, the statutory custodian of academic records. This action has raised immediate concerns about the motive behind the action of the Vice Chancellor, who suddenly performed a statutory responsibility of the Registrar,” Ani said.
He added, “This singular action from the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, is a strong sign of institutional malaise and a politically motivated bias with an undertone geared towards maligning the person of Chief Uche Nnaji.”
While commending the Minister for Education for constituting the investigative panel, the civil society group emphasized that impartiality requires the suspension of any individual whose actions are under scrutiny during the investigation.
“This will prevent interference, intimidation, destruction of evidence, or manipulation of records by the persons being investigated.
“The Joint Civil Society Front (JCSF), Enugu State, hereby demands that Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya be suspended while the panel conducts its assignment,” the group stated.
The organization noted that the demand extends beyond transparency to protecting the integrity and reputation of UNN, one of Nigeria’s premier institutions of higher learning.
“From the abrupt shift in the UNN’s official position in 2023 on whether Chief Nnaji graduated, to the unexplained disappearance of academic records in 2025, which was previously relied upon by the Registrar, this is a dangerous precedent that has unfolded, one that could haunt UNN for generations if not addressed decisively,” JCSF warned.
The group also clarified that Nnaji’s resignation as a minister was not an admission of guilt but a commitment to transparency and respect for due process.
“We therefore expect that Prof. Simon Ortuanya should do the same willingly, like Uche Nnaji, or be suspended by the Federal Ministry of Education so that the investigative panel can perform its duties smoothly, without let or hindrance,” the group concluded.