Robert Ngwu, spokesperson for Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, has raised serious allegations against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). Ngwu accuses the university’s management of manipulating the minister’s academic records for political reasons amidst the ongoing certificate forgery scandal.
The controversy erupted when Nnaji was accused of submitting a falsified Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree certificate during his 2023 Senate screening. The university later denied issuing the certificate in question, triggering a heated debate over the authenticity of Nnaji’s academic credentials.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Tuesday, Ngwu stated, “The Vice Chancellor of the university has no business with the file of a student, yet we see an Acting Vice Chancellor, a known member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), handling this case. Such actions raise questions about the integrity of the process.”
He went on to assert that the scandal was politically driven, pointing to the PDP’s long-standing control over Enugu State politics, where Nnaji hails from. “The minister is being targeted because he poses a challenge to the PDP’s dominance. This is a calculated move to discredit any political figure who dares to contest their power,” Ngwu added.
The spokesperson’s claims of political interference were further emphasized when he criticized the involvement of political figures in the university’s administration. “The Vice Chancellor, who has deep ties to the PDP, should not be involved in academic matters. His role in this issue is highly questionable,” he said.
Ngwu called on UNN authorities to release the minister’s full academic transcript and cease any further manipulation of his files. He emphasized that such actions undermine the credibility of educational institutions and the integrity of the minister’s position.
