Court dismisses minister’s attempt to block release of academic records
A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application by Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, seeking to prevent the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), from releasing his academic records.
Nnaji approached the court for an interim order to stop the university from responding to a request concerning his academic records.
The respondents in the suit are the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN, the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar, and the Senate of the university.
Through his lawyer, the minister sought an interim injunction to restrain the university from releasing or altering his academic records.
He also requested leave to file a writ of prohibition against the Vice Chancellor, Registrar, and Senate (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th respondents), preventing further access to or alteration of his records.
In addition, Nnaji asked for a writ of mandamus compelling the university to release his academic transcript.
He further sought an order directing the Minister of Education and the NUC (1st and 2nd respondents) to exercise their supervisory powers to ensure the release of his transcript.
Presiding over the case, Justice Hausa Yilwa denied the request for an injunction.
In her ruling, she stated: “I have reviewed the 34-paragraph affidavit, the 6-paragraph affidavit of urgency, the exhibits, and the further affidavit submitted by Martin Luther Akawe. I have also considered the written arguments
“Based on the affidavits and exhibits, I find that the applicant has sufficient interest in the matter. Therefore, prayers 1, 2, and 3 are granted.
“However, prayer 4, which seeks an injunction, is denied. The approval of prayers 1 to 3 does not amount to injunctive relief against any respondent.”
The case follows a letter issued by UNN disassociating itself from the minister’s academic credentials. In a letter dated October 2, 2025, and addressed to Premium Times, Vice Chancellor Prof. Simon Ortuanya stated that Nnaji did not graduate from the university.
The letter confirmed that Nnaji was admitted in 1981 under the matriculation number 1981/30725, but that records do not show he completed his studies or graduated in July 1985, as he claimed.
The letter reads: “Based on available records, Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji did not complete his academic program at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
“Therefore, the university did not, and could not have, issued him a certificate in July 1985.
“This aligns with an earlier letter dated May 13, 2025 (Ref: RUN/SR/R/V), sent to the Public Complaints Commission on the same issue.”
The development has raised questions about the authenticity of the minister’s academic qualifications.
