ABUJA – Former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), have moved to settle a high-profile certificate forgery dispute out of court.
The shift toward an amicable resolution was disclosed on Monday, April 20, 2026, during a scheduled hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Counsel for both parties informed Justice Hauwa Yilwa that they had initiated talks to resolve the matter, prompting a pause in further legal proceedings.
The Controversy
The legal battle began in late 2025 after Nnaji filed a suit seeking to prevent UNN from releasing his academic records or declaring his certificates fake. The university had previously maintained that Nnaji did not complete his degree requirements in 1985 and was never issued a certificate.
The scandal forced Nnaji’s resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet on October 7, 2025, as he vowed to defend his reputation and prevent the case from becoming a distraction to the government.
The Court’s Position
Justice Yilwa noted the request for an out-of-court settlement and subsequently adjourned the case until July 8, 2026. This period will allow both Nnaji’s legal team and UNN management to reach a final agreement.
If the talks fail, the court is expected to rule on a preliminary objection filed by the university challenging Nnaji’s right to stop the institution from clarifying the status of its own graduates.
What This Means
While the civil suit is on hold, it remains unclear if the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) will continue its parallel criminal investigation into the forgery claims. For now, the settlement move offers both parties a chance to resolve the dispute without a public trial that could further impact Nnaji’s political career and the university’s administrative records.
