ICPC Launches Probe Into Ex-Minister Nnaji Over Alleged Certificate Forgery

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has opened a formal investigation into alleged certificate forgery involving former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, Premium Times reports.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The probe follows a two-year investigation by Premium Times, first published in October 2025, which alleged that Nnaji forged his degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates submitted during his ministerial confirmation in 2023. The report led to his resignation from office just three days after it was made public.

Sources familiar with the matter told Premium Times that the ICPC has written to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, and the Nigerian Senate, requesting copies of the documents Nnaji submitted for his ministerial appointment.

“The anti-graft agency … also contacted the Nigerian Senate for the same purpose,” a source said.

If the allegations are verified, Nnaji could face prosecution for forgery and related offences under Nigerian law.

UNN Officials Questioned

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), at the center of the controversy, has also come under ICPC scrutiny. The university’s registrar, Celine Nnebedum, reportedly appeared before investigators to clarify the institution’s position on Nnaji’s academic records.

Earlier responses from Nnebedum to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests had been inconsistent. In 2024, she stated that Nnaji was admitted in 1981 and graduated in 1985. However, in a separate response to the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) in May 2025, she recanted, saying the university could not find his name in the 1985 graduation records.

In a subsequent letter dated October 6, 2025, signed by UNN’s Senior Deputy Registrar (Records) F.C. Achiuwa on behalf of Nnebedum, the university confirmed that Nnaji did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree. This position aligns with a prior statement from UNN’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, who also confirmed that while Nnaji was admitted in 1981, he did not graduate nor receive a degree certificate.

ICPC Requests Additional Documentation

An ICPC source said the commission had sought further clarification from UNN, and although the registrar responded, investigators requested additional documents for verification. It is unclear whether the requested materials have since been submitted. When contacted, ICPC spokesperson John Odey declined to comment, noting he was on leave and would only respond after returning.

Following the initial Premium Times report in October 2023, Nnaji reportedly filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja to prevent UNN and its vice-chancellor from releasing his academic records. The suit named multiple defendants, including UNN, its registrar, vice-chancellor, the National Universities Commission, the Minister of Education, and the university’s Senate.

However, before the suit was filed, UNN’s vice-chancellor had already confirmed in response to a FOI request that Nnaji had forged his degree certificate. The registrar later corroborated that he was admitted but never graduated and was never awarded a certificate.

In a separate FOI response, the NYSC authorities also disowned the discharge certificate reportedly held by Nnaji.