UNN Authenticates Peter Obi’s Degree, Confirms Admission and Graduation
UNN Authenticates Peter Obi’s Degree, Confirms Admission and Graduation
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has authenticated Peter Obi’s university degree and confirmed that the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was duly admitted to study Philosophy in 1980 and graduated in 1984.
The confirmation comes amid renewed controversy over the academic credentials of the former Anambra State governor, with political opponents and social media critics alleging that the university certificate he presents is fake.
The controversy dates back to 2023, when Obi contested the presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), and resurfaced strongly in June and July 2026 following allegations made by Abayomi Arabambi, a former factional Labour Party official.
Arabambi had appeared on News Central TV and an online television platform, where he displayed copies of documents purportedly belonging to Obi and questioned the authenticity of his academic qualifications.
He specifically argued that Obi could not have been admitted to study Philosophy at UNN with the grades contained in his publicly circulated 1978 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) result.
According to Arabambi, Obi’s result showed passes rather than credits in English Language and Mathematics, which he claimed were compulsory requirements for admission to study Philosophy.
UNN Confirms Obi’s Admission
However, an investigation by PREMIUM TIMES, which contacted UNN under the Freedom of Information Act, produced a response from the university that directly addressed the central allegations.
In a letter dated August 26 and signed by Eseme Obiora, a senior deputy registrar, UNN confirmed that Gregory Peter Onwubuasi Obi was admitted to study Philosophy on September 3, 1980.
The university said Obi was admitted with registration number 80/26333, with his admission linked to JAMB reference number JAMB/ICMS/80 and serial number 07928.
More significantly, UNN authenticated the degree certificate presented for verification.
The university stated that the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Second Class Honours (Lower Division), dated December 15, 1984, was genuinely issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and awarded by the university’s Senate.
The certificate bears number D000198.
What About Obi’s WAEC Results?
The controversy centred largely on a June 1978 WAEC certificate bearing the name Obi Gregory Onwubuasi.
The result showed Grade 8, classified as a pass, in both English Language and Mathematics. The candidate also obtained passes in Government and Chemistry, while recording credits in Biology, Geography, Literature-in-English and Religious Knowledge, and a Grade 3 in Economics.
Critics argued that those grades could not have qualified Obi for admission to study Philosophy at UNN.
But the university gave a different account.
UNN confirmed that Obi met the applicable O’Level requirements for admission at the time.
It further disclosed that his admission was based on a combination of two examination results — the June 1978 WAEC result and another November/December 1978 GCE result.
The university said the combined results qualified him for admission and that there was no alternative admission route, exemption, remedial programme or equivalent qualification involved.
“He was qualified ab initio,” the university stated.
Degree Certificate Authenticated
UNN’s response therefore directly contradicts the claim that Obi’s degree certificate is fake.
The university confirmed both his admission and subsequent graduation, stating that the certificate in question emanated from UNN and was awarded by its Senate.
The findings also address questions surrounding the different names appearing on some of Obi’s academic documents, with the university identifying his full name as Gregory Peter Onwubuasi Obi.
One Major Detail Remains Unverified
Despite the university’s confirmation, PREMIUM TIMES said it was unable to independently examine the actual November/December 1978 GCE result that UNN said was combined with Obi’s June 1978 WAEC result.
The university’s response indicated that copies of the relevant results and supporting documents were attached as annexures. However, the newspaper said those documents were not included in the response it received.
Repeated attempts to obtain the missing documents from the university’s registrar’s office were reportedly unsuccessful at the time of the investigation.
Consequently, while UNN has authenticated Obi’s degree and confirmed that he met the admission requirements applicable in 1980, the details of the second 1978 examination result remain unavailable for independent verification.
Obi Welcomes Further Scrutiny
Obi has since welcomed scrutiny of his academic credentials and called on UNN and other educational institutions he attended to release his records to legitimate applicants in accordance with the law.
The NDC presidential candidate said he had no objection to the release of his academic certificates and records, stressing that transparency and accountability should apply to people seeking public office.
The controversy has also taken a legal turn, with Arabambi filing a suit against UNN over alleged failure to release certified copies of Obi’s academic records.
What the University’s Records Show
Based on UNN’s response, the university’s official records establish that:
Peter Obi was admitted to study Philosophy at UNN in 1980.
He was registered under 80/26333.
He graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Second Class Honours (Lower Division).
His degree certificate, No. D000198, was issued by UNN.
The university says he met the applicable O’Level admission requirements.
UNN says two 1978 examination results were combined for his admission.
The details of the November/December 1978 result have not yet been independently examined.
For now, the central allegation that Obi’s UNN degree certificate is fake is not supported by the university’s own records.
