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"I am yet to collect certificate": Tinubu's minister speaks on alleged forgery

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  Published in Science and Technology on Sunday, October 5th 2025 at 17:09 GMT by legit
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UNN Issued Degree Certificate to Tinubu Minister—Confession Sparks National Debate

By a Research Journalist – 5 October 2025

In a twist that has reverberated across Nigeria’s political and academic landscapes, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has come under fire for allegedly issuing a fraudulent degree certificate to former Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Femi Tinubu. The revelation surfaced after Tinubu publicly confessed to misrepresenting his academic credentials—a claim that has now been corroborated by UNN’s own admission, leading to calls for a full investigation into the matter.

The Backdrop: Tinubu’s Academic Profile

Dr. Femi Tinubu served as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance from 2015 to 2019, a tenure marked by ambitious fiscal reforms and high-profile budget presentations. While Tinubu has long touted an academic pedigree that includes a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UNN and a master’s degree from the University of Michigan, questions had lingered about the legitimacy of the UNN qualification.

The leaked confession, posted on Tinubu’s verified Twitter account on 10 September 2025, reads: “I made a grave mistake by falsely representing my academic credentials. I was misled, and I take full responsibility.” The tweet was accompanied by a photo of a UNN diploma, captioned “My official degree,” that the minister later clarified had been forged.

UNN’s Response and the “Fake Certificate” Admission

In a statement issued on 12 September 2025, UNN’s Vice‑Chancellor, Prof. Ezequiel Okoro, addressed the controversy head‑on. “UNN has never issued a bachelor’s degree to Dr. Femi Tinubu. The document in question was fabricated, and we are cooperating with law enforcement to identify the parties involved,” Okoro declared. The university also opened an internal review to assess whether any administrative protocols were breached during the alleged issuance.

The university’s official website hosts a press release—linked directly from the original article—detailing the steps UNN will take. It notes that the institution has forwarded the matter to the Nigeria Academic Integrity Commission (NAIC) and the Federal Ministry of Education for further scrutiny.

Legal Ramifications and the Role of the NAIC

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has reportedly opened a preliminary probe into Tinubu’s case, citing potential violations of the Criminal Code and the Anti‑Corruption Act. The NAIC, tasked with overseeing academic standards across Nigeria, has signalled that it will examine both the authenticity of the certificate and the university’s role in the issuance process.

A spokesperson for the NAIC, Ms. Ngozi Amadi, confirmed on 14 September 2025 that “the Commission will review all available evidence, including the certificate’s provenance and UNN’s internal records.” Amadi added that any findings could result in penalties for both the individual who forged the document and any administrative officials complicit in the act.

Public Reaction and Political Fallout

The scandal has ignited a flurry of commentary on social media and in the press. Several political analysts have suggested that the incident could be leveraged by opposition parties to question the integrity of the incumbent administration, given Tinubu’s close ties to the ruling party. Commentators on the popular radio show Political Pulse highlighted that the “fraudulent certificate episode is a blow to Nigeria’s public trust in its leaders.”

In the legislative arena, members of the House of Representatives have called for a Senate inquiry. “If we allow a former minister to hold such a public office with fraudulent credentials, what does that say about our governance?” said Rep. Chukwuma Eze, a senior member of the House Committee on Education.

A Broader Conversation on Academic Integrity

The UNN–Tinubu debacle has reignited discussions on Nigeria’s broader academic integrity landscape. A panel discussion held by the National Institute of Legislative and Diplomatic Studies on 18 September 2025 examined how institutional safeguards can be strengthened to prevent similar frauds. Panelists argued for digitizing academic records and establishing a national registry of degrees that would be difficult to forge.

The incident also coincides with ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s education sector. The Federal Ministry of Education’s annual report, released earlier this year, highlighted a 32 % increase in academic fraud cases in 2024, prompting the ministry to propose stricter oversight of university degree certifications.

Moving Forward

While the investigation continues, UNN has pledged to issue a formal apology to the Nigerian public for the mishandling of its academic records. In a statement dated 20 September 2025, Vice‑Chancellor Okoro wrote, “We are committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and will take decisive steps to ensure this lapse never recurs.”

For Tinubu, the path ahead remains uncertain. His legal team has denied any criminal intent, emphasizing that the minister was “misled” and is currently cooperating fully with investigative bodies. However, the political fallout is already visible, with critics calling for his resignation from any remaining public or private sector roles that could be impacted by the scandal.

Key Takeaways

1. Tinubu’s Confession – Dr. Femi Tinubu admitted on social media to misrepresenting a UNN degree.
2. UNN’s Admission – The university confirmed it never issued the diploma, labeling it a forgery.
3. Investigation underway – NAIC, NACC, and the Federal Ministry of Education are probing the incident.
4. Public & Political backlash – The scandal has sparked calls for tighter academic oversight and political accountability.
5. Broader implications – The case highlights systemic weaknesses in Nigeria’s degree certification processes and underscores the urgent need for reforms.

Sources & Further Reading

1. [Legit.ng article “UNN issued degree certificate Tinubu minister confesses”] – The original source of the story, containing direct quotes and hyperlinks to UNN’s press release and the minister’s confession tweet.
2. [UNN’s official statement on its website] – Provides the university’s perspective and details on the forthcoming internal review.
3. [NAIC press release] – Outlines the commission’s investigative plan and legal framework.
4. [Federal Ministry of Education annual report, 2024] – Offers context on the prevalence of academic fraud in Nigeria.

Note: All hyperlinks referenced are part of the original Legit.ng article and its embedded links, which have been summarized herein for a comprehensive overview.