By Anietie Udobit, Abuja
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology takes his alma mater, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to court, alleging a politically driven plot behind the university’s delay in releasing his transcript nearly four decades after graduation.
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Nnaji insists the controversy over his 1985 academic record is part of a coordinated political campaign to smear his image.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 10, 2025, for the hearing of a suit filed by the Minister against the University and several others.
The suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, lists as respondents 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.
In an ex-parte application, Nnaji is seeking a writ of mandamus compelling UNN to release his academic transcript, alongside an interim injunction restraining the university and its officials from “tampering” with his records pending the determination of the suit.
The minister, who graduated in 1985 with a BSc in Microbiology/Biochemistry (Second Class Honours, Lower Division), claims that the university has unjustifiably withheld his transcript. He further alleged that conflicting reports issued by UNN officials were politically motivated attempts to discredit him.
Through his spokesperson, Dr. Robert Ngwu, Nnaji presented copies of the university’s 1985 graduation brochure and official letters from the Registrar confirming his admission in 1981 and graduation in 1985.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the minister said:
“It is increasingly clear that this episode is not about education or integrity; it is about political desperation disguised as academic inquiry. The timing, the false documents, and the paid narratives all point to a coordinated attempt to drag a reputable public servant into partisan mud.”
He added that his action aims to defend the integrity of UNN and prevent Nigerian universities from being drawn into political controversies:
“This is not about one man’s record. It is about protecting truth, preserving institutional honour, and ensuring that no university becomes a pawn in politics.”
At Tuesday’s proceedings, Justice Hauwa Yilwa adjourned the case to November 10, following UNN’s failure to file a response. Counsel to the university, Mr. Asogwa, told the court that while he did not concede the merits of the minister’s claims, he would advise his clients to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the matter.
He also informed the court that the respondents were still within the stipulated timeframe to file their formal replies.
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