UNN to Discipline Registrar Ngozi Nnebedum for Providing False Information on Uche Nnaji’s Academic Credentials
UNN to Discipline Registrar Ngozi Nnebedum for Providing False Information on Uche Nnaji’s Academic Credentials
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), is preparing disciplinary action against its registrar, Ngozi Nnebedum, for falsely claiming that disgraced former minister Uche Nnaji graduated from the institution in 1985.
Mr. Nnaji, who served as the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, resigned Wednesday night, following sustained public and legal pressure stemming from Peoples Gazette’s investigations in 2023 and 2024. Those reports exposed forged academic and NYSC certificates attributed to him, which were also used in a 2024 court case filed by political rivals.
In October 2023, Peoples Gazette contacted Mrs. Nnebedum to verify whether Mr. Nnaji held a degree from UNN. A response dated December 21, 2023, sent on the university’s official letterhead and stamped by the registrar’s office, confirmed that Mr. Nnaji had been admitted in 1981 and graduated in 1985 with a B.Sc. in Microbiology/Biochemistry.
However, a conflicting letter recently surfaced from the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, clearly stating that Mr. Nnaji did not graduate from the institution.
Multiple internal sources at UNN told the Gazette that Mrs. Nnebedum met privately with Mr. Nnaji in Abuja in 2023 before issuing the false confirmation. When approached for comment, Mrs. Nnebedum claimed the letter “was written on my behalf” and that the university was “working to clarify everything.”
This, however, contradicted her earlier statement to the Gazette in 2023, where she said she had personally reviewed the academic records and was confident that Mr. Nnaji fulfilled all graduation requirements.
Despite warnings from the Gazette that their evidence pointed to forgery, the registrar stood by her statement, insisting she had verified Mr. Nnaji’s records.
Even after being shown the forged certificate submitted by Mr. Nnaji to the Nigerian Senate, Mrs. Nnebedum claimed she could not verify its authenticity because her office had been unable to locate the university’s copy.
She also failed to explain why:
Mr. Nnaji’s name was absent from the official graduation list;
The name on the certificate was misspelled;
The graduation and NYSC mobilisation dates didn’t align.
Two individuals who attended UNN during the same period told the Gazette they did not recall graduating with Mr. Nnaji. One admitted he vaguely remembered Nnaji as a classmate around 1981–1982 but confirmed he did not graduate with them. He declined to go on record due to his connection with a foundation funded by Mr. Nnaji.
An NYSC official, Eddy Megwa, emphasized that only graduates who have completed their academic programs are eligible for national service, saying:
“The requirements for mobilisation are strictly based on the evidence of completion of tertiary education.”
University insiders revealed that UNN management has now launched internal disciplinary proceedings against Mrs. Nnebedum for misrepresentation and ethical breaches. Her actions have been described as a serious administrative offence that caused reputational damage to the university.
