Uche Nnaji, Nigeria's Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, is currently embroiled in a significant certificate forgery scandal, facing serious allegations regarding his academic credentials from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed no surprise at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's decision to retain Nnaji in his cabinet, interpreting the administration's silence as a comfort with corruption and a disregard for integrity. The ADC highlights that despite mounting evidence and public outrage, Nnaji remains in office even after admitting in court filings that UNN never issued him a degree certificate and that the certificates he presented were not from the relevant institutions.

Credible reports, as cited by the ADC, indicate that both UNN and NYSC have disowned the certificates Nnaji submitted for his ministerial appointment in 2023. The party queried why the Tinubu government continues to keep Nnaji in office if he is not honorable enough to resign, calling it clear proof that integrity and accountability are absent in the current administration. They further argue that appointing someone with questionable credentials to lead a ministry responsible for research and innovation is a disservice to the nation and urged President Tinubu to suspend the minister immediately, order an independent investigation, and prosecute him for forgery and perjury if found guilty.

Adding to the discourse, former Labour Party presidential flag bearer Peter Obi called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other clearing agencies to implement thorough scrutiny of candidates to prevent individuals with forged certificates from assuming public office. Obi recounted that numerous officials currently in office used forged documents in 2023 and still scaled through screening processes by INEC, security agencies, and the Senate. He emphasized that the process of attaining office is more fundamental than subsequent actions, stressing the need for rigorous examination of candidates' documents and character. Obi highlighted that certificate forgery is a serious crime globally, attracting immediate disqualification and prosecution in other countries like Indonesia. He criticized INEC for overlooking complaints of forgery and for court dismissals of such serious criminal issues as mere "pre-election matters." Obi proposed electoral amendments for the 2027 general elections, suggesting that all academic certificates and details of schools attended should be submitted to the electoral body immediately after party primaries, at least six months before elections, and made public for verification within 90 days. This process, he argued, should also apply to appointed officials, ministers, and aides, asserting that dishonesty at the top infiltrates all levels of governance.

Amidst these allegations, Minister Uche Nnaji's office initially scheduled a press conference on a Monday to address the scandal. Journalists from various local and international media outlets gathered, anticipating Nnaji's personal appearance. However, after an hour and a half of waiting, Nnaji failed to show up. His spokesperson, Robert Ngwu, eventually presided over the briefing, dismissing the allegations of certificate forgery as "deliberate misinformation" and politically motivated. Ngwu insisted that Nnaji is a proud alumnus of UNN, having graduated in July 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry, Second Class (Honours) Lower Division. He claimed this fact is documented in UNN's records, acknowledged in official correspondence, and reflected in its 1985 Convocation Brochure.

Ngwu contested reports that Nnaji admitted in court documents that UNN never issued him a degree certificate, asserting that the only valid letter from UNN confirming Nnaji's credentials was dated December 21, 2023. He questioned the emergence of a purported letter in May 2025 from UNN claiming no records of Nnaji's graduation, attributing this discrepancy to "political overreach" by the university's leadership, which he suggested was politically motivated by members of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). Ngwu confirmed that Nnaji had taken legal action at the Federal High Court, Abuja (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025), which granted protective orders restraining UNN from tampering with his academic records and compelling the release of his transcript. Despite Ngwu's claims, previous reports detailed Nnaji's own affidavit in which he confessed to never having collected a certificate from the university. The minister, through Ngwu, reaffirmed his academic credentials and stated his focus remains on ministerial duties, asserting that he will not be distracted by what he termed a politically orchestrated campaign to tarnish his reputation.