The management of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, in Enugu State has sanctioned its deputy registrar and head of students’ records and institutional research, I.A.S. Onyeador, by serving her a formal query and redeploying her for issuing a document that wrongly stated that former minister of innovation, science and technology, Uche Nnaji, graduated from the institution.
The disciplinary action followed the findings of a seven-member investigative panel established by the minister of education, Tunji Alausa, in November 2025 after Nnaji petitioned the ministry over allegations surrounding his academic records.
The panel was set up following reports that the former minister had forged his university degree and National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, certificates.
Chaired by Rakiya Gambo Ilyasu, director of the university education department in the ministry, the panel conducted an extensive investigation into the claims.
Members adopted several methods including documentary review, interviews, verification and technical audit. They visited UNN, met with key officials and examined academic records and internal correspondence related to Nnaji’s academic history.
During the inquiry, the panel interviewed the university’s vice-chancellor, Simon Ortuanya, former acting vice-chancellor Oguejiofor Ujam, registrar Celine Nnebedum and staff responsible for handling academic records.
Investigators also reviewed internal files, registry logs, senate graduation lists, convocation archives and electronic access records.
The investigation confirmed that Nnaji did not graduate from UNN and that the degree certificate he presented to authorities was forged.
It also found that the vice-chancellor’s response to a Freedom of Information, FOI, request confirming that Nnaji did not graduate from the university followed proper procedures and complied with the FOI Act.
The panel stated there was no evidence of political interference, external directives or unauthorised disclosure of academic records.
The controversy partly stemmed from a 2023 verification letter issued by the UNN registrar to a newspaper which incorrectly stated that Nnaji graduated from the university in July 1985.
However, in a later response to the Public Complaints Commission, PCC, the registrar clarified that a review of the university’s graduation records showed Nnaji’s name was not on the list.
During the investigation, the registrar explained that the earlier verification was compiled and signed by Onyeador after she was delegated the responsibility.
Onyeador admitted preparing the document but said it was done after reviewing available records alongside the registrar and the former director of legal services.
She also acknowledged that key documents such as the senate approval list for the 1985 graduating class were not located at the time the verification was issued.
The panel concluded that confirming the certificate under those circumstances constituted a procedural breach.
Consequently, UNN management sanctioned Onyeador by issuing her a formal query and redeploying her to another unit.
The scandal began after Nnaji submitted a degree certificate from UNN during his ministerial confirmation in 2023.
Investigations later revealed that although he was admitted to the university in 1981, he neither graduated nor received a certificate.
The former minister resigned shortly after the allegations became public, while Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has since launched an investigation into the certificate forgery allegations.
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