The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has scheduled 10 November 2025 to hear a suit filed by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and several other respondents over the release of his academic transcript.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, also names the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, the Registrar, a former acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oguenjiofor Ujam, and the Senate of the University as respondents.
In an ex-parte application, Nnaji had requested a prerogative writ of mandamus compelling UNN to release his academic transcript and sought interim injunctions restraining the university and its officials from “tampering” with his academic records pending the determination of the suit.
Nnaji, who graduated with a BSc in Microbiology/Biochemistry with second class honours (lower division) in 1985, contended that the university has unjustifiably withheld his transcript.
He alleged that conflicting reports issued by UNN authorities were politically motivated attempts to tarnish his image.
Speaking through his spokesman, Dr Robert Ngwu, the minister presented the university’s 1985 graduation brochure and letters from the Registrar confirming his admission in 1981 and graduation in 1985.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, Nnaji said: “It is increasingly clear that this entire episode is not about education or integrity; it is about political desperation, disguised as academic inquiry. The timing, the sources, the false documents and the paid narratives all point to a coordinated campaign to drag a reputable public servant into the mud of partisan politics.”
He added that the case was instituted to safeguard the authenticity of his academic records and protect the integrity of UNN as an institution: “This is not about one man’s record. It is about protecting truth, preserving institutional honour and ensuring that no university in Nigeria ever becomes a pawn in partisan politics.”
At the resumed proceedings on Tuesday, Justice Hauwa Yilwa adjourned the hearing to 10 November, following the failure of UNN’s legal team to file their replies. Counsel to UNN, identified as Asogwa, told the court that although he did not concede the merits of the minister’s claim, he would advise his clients to maintain the status quo until the suit is determined. He also noted that the respondents were still within the time frame to submit their formal responses.
Justice Yilwa had previously, on 22 September, declined to grant injunctive relief to Nnaji based on the ex parte motion, instead directing him to put all respondents on notice so they could appear and respond to the claims.
The development coincided with a public statement by Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, who called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies to verify the academic certificates of candidates seeking public office. Obi highlighted that several public office holders had previously submitted forged documents, which had been accepted during past elections, and described certificate forgery as a serious criminal offence.
