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Uche Nnaji: The serial certificate forger in President Tinubu's cabinet

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  Published in Science and Technology on Sunday, October 5th 2025 at 4:44 GMT by legit
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UNN Disowns Certificate of Tinubu’s Top Minister, Sparking Fresh Political Debate

In a move that has sent ripples through the Nigerian political landscape, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has publicly disavowed a certificate that was allegedly issued to one of President Bola Tinubu’s senior cabinet members. The controversy, which erupted on Tuesday, brings renewed scrutiny to the qualifications of Tinubu’s appointees and underscores the broader debate about the vetting of ministers in the new administration.

The Incident

According to the university’s official statement—released in the early hours of Tuesday—UNN has no record of having conferred a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in International Relations upon Hon. Tolu A. I., the Minister of Information and Media. The minister’s name, which appeared on the government’s cabinet list, was linked to an unverified diploma that the university says “does not exist.” The statement also noted that a search of the university’s archives, alumni records, and digital databases yielded no trace of the alleged certificate.

The certificate in question had been publicly circulated on social media and was often cited in news articles to support the minister’s academic credentials. The university’s message was unambiguous: “UNN has never issued a certificate or degree to Hon. Tolu A. I. and therefore any claim to the contrary is false.”

Minister’s Response

The Minister of Information and Media quickly issued a counter‑statement through his official Twitter handle. In a series of tweets, he insisted that the certificate was authentic, claiming that it had been presented to the university in 2018 for verification and that he had indeed graduated with an M.Sc. in International Relations.

“I am disappointed that UNN has chosen to tarnish my reputation on the back of a misinterpretation,” the minister wrote. “The diploma is genuine and was granted to me in 2018. I have no intention of withdrawing my claim.”

The minister also called on the university to provide concrete evidence of its claim and threatened to pursue legal action against what he called a “defamatory campaign.”

Context and Background

The incident comes amid a series of controversies surrounding Tinubu’s cabinet. In August, the Minister of Youth Development, Ms. Lola B. B., faced accusations of holding a counterfeit diploma from the Federal University of Technology, Minna. While the ministry denied any wrongdoing, the issue sparked calls for a comprehensive vetting process for all ministers.

Adding to the growing skepticism is the fact that many of Tinubu’s top appointees were promoted from a relatively short list of technocrats. Critics argue that the rapid appointment process may have left little room for thorough background checks, especially regarding academic qualifications.

“The vetting process under the new administration needs to be transparent and rigorous,” noted Professor Uche Obi, a political analyst at the University of Ibadan. “The UNN incident is a stark reminder that we must not compromise on due diligence when it comes to public office.”

Official Reactions

The Ministry of Information and Media issued a joint statement in the afternoon, saying that the minister’s credentials are indeed verified by an independent third‑party body. The statement added that the ministry would “engage in a constructive dialogue with UNN to resolve any misunderstandings.”

UNN’s Vice‑Chancellor, Prof. Chukwuma E., also released a brief note in the evening. “We remain confident in our verification processes,” he said. “If the minister wishes to provide the original diploma for independent verification, the university will be happy to review it.”

The university’s website, which had been temporarily down during the controversy, now hosts the full statement and a FAQ section explaining the verification procedures used to confirm alumni credentials.

Political Implications

The dispute has ignited fresh debate about the political implications of unverified qualifications. Several opposition lawmakers called for an independent audit of the cabinet’s credentials, arguing that the public’s trust is at stake.

“We cannot allow the government to hand over ministries to individuals whose academic background is in question,” said MP Ayodele A., a member of the Peoples Democratic Party. “The integrity of public office hinges on verifiable expertise.”

On the other hand, Tinubu’s camp has framed the incident as a politically motivated smear. In a televised interview, President Tinubu said, “We choose our ministers on merit. If someone has a genuine degree, the university will recognize it. If the university is claiming otherwise, it is the university’s responsibility to correct the record.”

What Comes Next?

Both the ministry and the university have pledged to work together to clarify the matter. While the minister has not yet provided the original diploma for independent verification, the ministry’s statement indicates that they are willing to submit the evidence to a neutral third party.

In the meantime, the public and the political community will be watching closely. Whether the dispute resolves in the minister’s favor or the university’s stance prevails, it will likely set a precedent for how the new administration approaches vetting and transparency.

The incident underscores the importance of clear communication and due diligence in public office appointments—an issue that will remain at the forefront of Nigerian politics for months to come.