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A group, the Joint Civil Society Front (JCSF), Enugu State, has tasked the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) to release the certified academic records of former Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji.
JCSF called on the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, to step aside for an unbasised investigation into Nnaji’s allegation of records tampering.
Speaking at a briefing in Enugu, the group said the investigative panel set up by the Federal Ministry of Education should be allowed to do its work without interference.
Recall that the Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa had constituted the panel to unravel claims that the UNN authorities altered Nnaji’s academic records, a controversy that contributed to his resignation from the Federal Executive Council.
JCSF contended that for the investigation to be credible, the Vice Chancellor must step aside, stressing that allowing an official under probe to remain in office could lead to interference, intimidation, and destruction of evidence or manipulation of records.
The group also raised concerns over what it described as UNN’s abrupt shift in position regarding Chief Nnaji’s graduation status.
Recall that the university, through the Registrar, had confirmed in 2023 that Nnaji graduated from the institution—a position the registrar reportedly stood by despite pressure.
The group also stated that Nnaji had formally requested the university to release certified copies of his transcripts and academic records, urging the institution to meet its obligation to provide them.
The organisation asked several questions it said Nigerians deserved answers to, including: why UNN allegedly reversed its earlier confirmation of Nnaji’s graduation and how the records used by the Registrar in 2023 “suddenly vanished”.
According to JCSF, the investigative panel cannot work effectively while Prof. Ortuanya remains in office because “unfettered access to documents cannot be guaranteed”.
JCSF warned that if the Education Ministry fails to suspend the Vice Chancellor, it would mobilise mass protests across the Nsukka and Enugu campuses.
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