UNN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, Dismisses Allegations Linking Him to Smear Campaign Against Minister Uche Nnaji, Cites Privacy Laws and Data Protection Rights

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Professor Simon U. Ortuanya, has firmly denied reports circulating since October 4, 2025, that allegedly link him to a disinformation and smear campaign targeting Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.

Reacting to inquiries by Engr. Jekwu Onovo and statements made available to the media, Prof. Ortuanya stressed that he neither discussed nor shared any correspondence with the author of the report implicating him in the alleged controversy.

According to the Vice Chancellor, his role is to serve the university community, not to provide sensitive academic information to journalists or politicians. He emphasized that the institution strictly adheres to privacy and data protection laws and would not release a graduate’s results to the media without the explicit consent of the individual involved. Such actions, he noted, would amount to a violation of the graduate’s legal rights to privacy.

Prof. Ortuanya further warned journalists and political actors to desist from dragging university administrators into “their misguided activities,” adding that he is still studying the report in question and will take all necessary steps to protect both his office and the reputation of UNN from disrepute.

The controversy stems from a publication on October 4, 2025, by Chinagorom Ugwu, who alleged that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, had disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate reportedly held by Minister Uche Nnaji. The report claimed that UNN had responded to a PREMIUM TIMES Freedom of Information (FOI) request, purportedly signed by Prof. Ortuanya, stating that although Mr. Nnaji was admitted to the institution in 1981, he did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree.

However, privacy experts and legal observers have pointed out that such a disclosure would violate the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, which provides a comprehensive legal framework for safeguarding personal data. The Act mandates that personal data must be processed lawfully, fairly, and only with the informed consent of the individual concerned. Disclosing a graduate’s records without their consent would constitute a breach of this law.

Similarly, Section 37 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution guarantees the privacy of citizens, including the protection of personal information from unauthorized disclosure. Only in rare and narrowly defined circumstances may personal information be released without an individual’s consent, and these exceptions generally do not cover journalists’ inquiries.

The publication also alleged that the controversial certificates, both the UNN degree and the NYSC certificate were obtained from a certain Senator. 

However, legal analysts have emphasized that Senators, who are responsible for screening ministerial nominees, do not have the legal authority to publicly release nominees’ academic credentials. Such documents are classified as personal and confidential information under both the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011, and the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.

While the FOI Act promotes public access to information, it also contains specific exemptions protecting personal privacy. Section 14(1)(b) of the Act forbids public officials from disclosing personal information about employees, appointees, elected officials, or applicants for such positions. Any request regarding a nominee’s personal data is therefore subject to strict privacy protections, and public institutions, including the Senate, are empowered to deny requests that would violate these protections.

In light of these legal frameworks, Prof. Ortuanya’s denial raises serious questions about the authenticity of the documents circulating in the public domain. 

“No Senator of the Federal Republic in this 10th Assembly gave out personal data from Uche Nnaji’s file,” one observer remarked, challenging PREMIUM TIMES and Chinagorom Ugwu to disclose the name of the Senator allegedly responsible for the leak.

Until such proof is provided, critics argue, the public should view the documents being circulated with skepticism, as they may well be fabricated or forged.