Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnachi, has called on the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), to immediately release his academic transcript, accusing the institution of playing politics with his educational records.
Speaking through his spokesman, Dr. Robert Ngwu, at a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, Nnachi maintained that he legitimately earned a B.Sc. in Microbiology/Biochemistry with Second Class Honours (Lower Division) from the university in 1985. He argued that UNN has no justification for withholding his transcript or questioning his credentials.
The minister, who is facing allegations of certificate forgery following his 2023 appointment, accused the university of attempting to tarnish his reputation by issuing two contradictory letters — one confirming his graduation and another later denying any record of it.
According to Nnachi, the university’s first letter, signed by Registrar Dr. Mrs. Celine Ngozi Nnebedum, affirmed that he was admitted in 1981 and graduated in 1985. He also presented the official graduation brochure containing his name, “Nnaji Uchenna G,” and photograph among the 1985 graduates.
When questioned about the name variation between “Nnaji Uchenna G” and “Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji,” his spokesman explained that both are traditional variants of the same Igbo name.
The minister accused the university’s management of yielding to political pressure from a state governor allegedly bent on removing him from office. He disclosed that despite a court injunction compelling the release of his transcript, the Vice Chancellor has refused to comply, instead engaging in what he described as “cyberbullying and politically motivated media trial.”
“It is increasingly clear that this entire episode is not about education or integrity—it is about political desperation disguised as academic inquiry,” Nnachi said. “The University of Nigeria, Nsukka must live up to its motto of restoring the dignity of man. This is bigger than one man’s record—it is about truth, institutional honour, and protecting our universities from political manipulation.”
Comments