'A Dangerous Precedent’: CSOs Demand UNN VC’s Suspension Over Alleged Manipulation of Uche Nnaji’s Records

  

A coalition of enraged civil society organisations has issued a blistering demand for the immediate suspension of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, accusing him of orchestrating a politically driven attack aimed at discrediting former Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, through alleged manipulation and unlawful release of sensitive academic records.

This press briefing is convened to address the lingering controversy over the alleged tampering of the academic records of Chief Uche Nnaji, the immediate past Minister of Science and Technology, by the authorities of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

This press briefing is convened to address the lingering controversy over the alleged tampering of the academic records of Chief Uche Nnaji, the immediate past Minister of Science and Technology, by the authorities of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

As you are aware, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has constituted a panel of investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the alleged certificate-tampering scandal—the very issue that precipitated the resignation of the former minister.

At the centre of this controversy is the vice chancellor of UNN, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, who claimed that in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Premium Times, he personally released the academic records of Chief Nnaji, asserting that he did not graduate from the UNN after tampering with his academic records, and therefore claimed that the former minister did not graduate from the institution.

This action bypassed the registrar, the statutory custodian of academic records. This action has raised immediate concerns about the motive behind the action of the vice chancellor, who suddenly performed a statutory responsibility of the registrar.

This singular action from the vice chancellor, Prof Simon Ortuanya, is a strong sign of institutional malaise and a politically motivated bias with an undertone geared towards maligning the person of Chief Uche Nnaji.

While we commend the education minister for setting up the investigative panel, we insist that the principle of impartiality requires that any individual whose actions are the subject of an inquiry should be suspended while the investigation is ongoing.

This will prevent interference, intimidation, destruction of evidence, or manipulation of records by the persons being investigated.

The Joint Civil Society Front (JCSF), Enugu State, hereby demands that Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya be suspended while the panel conducts its assignment.

This demand is not only about transparency but also about protecting the integrity and reputation of the University of Nigeria—the nation’s flagship institution. From the abrupt shift in the UNN’s official position in 2023 on whether Chief Nnaji graduated to the unexplained disappearance of academic records in 2025, which was previously relied upon by the registrar.

This is a dangerous precedent that has unfolded—one that could haunt UNN for generations if not addressed decisively. We must salute the registrar for standing firmly on her response by Peoples Gazette in 2023 and refusing to be cowed by the authorities to shift her ground. This is an administrative discipline and preservation of the academic trust domiciled in the office of the registrar.

Let it be made clear: Chief Uche Nnaji’s resignation as a minister of the Federal Republic was not an admission of guilt but rather a vote for transparency and respect for due process. We therefore expect that Prof Simon Ortuanya should do the same willingly, like Uche Nnaji, or be suspended by the Federal Ministry of Education so that the investigative panel can do their job smoothly without let or hindrance.

We must also clarify a critical point:

Chief Uche Nnaji has formally requested that UNN release the certified copies of his transcripts and academic records. The institution has a duty to respond to that request.

The Federal Ministry of Education, as the supervisor of universities, should remove any obstruction by anyone who wants to constitute a clog in the wheel of unravelling this mystery of a university authority suddenly tampering with a former student’s academic record.

To this end:

The Investigative Panel of Inquiry cannot have unfettered access to documents while the vice chancellor remains in office.

The minister of education must immediately suspend the vice chancellor to allow for a full and independent examination of the facts.

Nigerians deserve answers:

Is Chief Uche Nnaji a victim of politically engineered misinformation and academic record tampering?

Why did the same UNN that confirmed his graduation in December 2023 suddenly disown him in 2025?

How did the academic records used by the registrar to certify his graduation suddenly vanish?

Who is afraid of transparency?

These are questions the Panel must answer—but it cannot do so while potential obstruction remains in office.

Accordingly, the Joint Civil Society Front (JCSF), Enugu State, hereby requests the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to immediately suspend Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya so as to allow the panel to do their job.

Failure to do so will leave us with no alternative but to mobilise mass social protest across the Nsukka and Enugu campuses.

This struggle is bigger than one man.

It is about protecting the dignity of our universities, the future of our children, and the credibility of academic records in Nigeria.

We demand transparency.

We demand accountability.

We demand a university system free from political interference.