Compiled By ESUT Monitor

The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet amid controversies surrounding his academic records and allegations of certificate forgery.

Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, announced his resignation in a letter to the President on Tuesday, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to serve.

Following investigation by Premium Times, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate in the possession of the former Minister, saying the politician did not complete his studies at the institution and was never issued a certificate.

According to the paper, Simon U. Ortuanya, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, stated that although Nnaji was admitted to the institution in 1981, he did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree.

The platform added that authorities at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) also confirmed that the certificate of national service being paraded by Nnaji was strange to it and could not be authenticated.

Confirming the development in a statement on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him. President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023.

“He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria. Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents. President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.”

Nnaji’s resignation comes amid a lingering controversy over alleged certificate forgery and questions surrounding his academic qualifications from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Nnaji and the Enugu State Government had traded words over allegations that he presented forged certificates.

The dispute intensified after the Federal High Court in Enugu rejected Nnaji’s bid to stop the University of Nigeria from releasing his academic records.

The court had ruled that the institution was within its rights to release the minister’s academic details in response to a freedom of information request, a decision that fuelled further public scrutiny.

Nnaji, however, maintained that he was being blackmailed by political opponents determined to tarnish his reputation.

…Enugu State Govt. Denies Involvement

The Enugu state government has distanced itself from the ongoing certificate controversy involving the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji.

Nnaji had on Monday in Abuja accused the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, of masterminding allegations of certificate forgery levelled against him.

Speaking through his spokesperson, Robert Ngwu, the Minister described the allegation as a politically motivated witch-hunt aimed at discrediting him ahead of the governor’s alleged plan to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Mbah wants Nnaji out of his way. He has given a new name to all his problems. He is seeking a second term in office, and the only way to achieve this is to get Nnaji out of the way. He wants to join APC, but knowing that

However, in a statement issued in Enugu by the Director of Information in the Ministry of Information and Communication, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nebo, the state government denied sponsoring the allegations and urged the minister to “carry his cross” and clear his name before Nigerians.

 “The Enugu State Government dissociates itself completely from these allegations. The Honourable Minister must carry his own cross and clear his name before Nigerians, instead of dragging the government into issues that are entirely personal to him,” Nebo stated.

According to him, Chief Nnaji had earlier invited journalists to a world press conference scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Monday to address the matter but failed to appear.

“A large number of Nigerian and international journalists gathered on the Minister’s invitation to hear directly from him. But rather than appear before them to answer questions and establish his innocence, the Minister absconded, leaving proxies who could not withstand the barrage of legitimate questions from journalists,” Nebo said.

The statement went on to question several inconsistencies reportedly linked to Nnaji’s academic and NYSC records:

“Did the Minister present a degree certificate to the Senate claiming to have graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in July 1985?

“Is it true that he deposed before a Federal High Court in Abuja that UNN never issued him any degree certificate, and if so, how did he obtain the certificate he submitted to the Senate?”

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The management of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has announced Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya as its new Vice Chancellor, following a rigorous selection process involving 28 candidates.

Prof Ortuanya is the Dean, Faculty of Law, Enugu State University of Science and Technology. His appointment was announced on Sunday by the five-man selection panel. Ortuanya’s appointment makes him the first Nsukka person to head the First indigenous University in Nigeria.

He also became the 16^th VC of the ivory tower.

Professor Ortuanya, who previously served as Secretary to the Enugu State Government (SSG), was appointed after the university’s Governing Council ratified the recommendation of the selection committee.

The process, chaired by the Council’s Chairman, Engr. Kayode Ojo, was described as transparent and merit-based.

In a statement issued by the university’s Acting Public Relations Officer, Inya Agha Egwu, the institution highlighted Professor Ortuanya’s extensive academic and administrative experience, which spans several decades and includes roles in both state and federal capacities.

“Professor Ortuanya brings with him a wealth of academic and administrative experience. He previously served as Associate Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, and is a Professor of Law at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT). He is also a visiting scholar at Loyola University Chicago School of Law,” Egwu said.

He added that Ortuanya’s deep understanding of university governance, education policy, and law, as well as his leadership record, would help advance the university’s mission of academic excellence and innovation over the next five years.

Before his appointment, Ortuanya was the Dean, Faculty of Law, ESUT, where he was credited with significant improvements in the academic environment and infrastructure for law students. His leadership style has often been described as transformational, with a strong emphasis on raising academic standards.

A former Enugu State Commissioner for Education, he played a vital role in implementing educational policies aimed at strengthening the state’s academic sector. He also served as Special Assistant to the Minister of Information and Culture at the federal level.

In addition to his academic and political roles, Ortuanya is the Founding and Principal Partner of Prof. S.U. Ortuanya & Co. (Word Chambers), a contemporary law firm providing legal support across various sectors of the Nigerian economy.

He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 after earning his LLB (Hons) from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, in 1987. He obtained his Master of Laws (LL.M) from the University of Lagos in 1991 and later earned a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2003.

Between 2003 and 2005, he was a visiting scholar at Loyola University in the United States and has held several academic positions, including Director of Law Clinic and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Law at UNN between 2007 and 2011. From 2013 to 2016, he served as Director of ESUT Legal Clinic and Head of the Department of Private Law, ESUT.

He has also served on the Human Rights Committee of the International Bar Association.

Past UNN Vice-Chancellors

                        Name                                                  Tenure

1          Professor Charles Igwe        June 2019–to 2025

2          Professor Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba June 2014–June 2019

3          Professor Bartho Okolo:     June 2009 – June 2014

4          Professor Osita Chinedu Nebo:     June 2004 – June 2009

5          Professor Ginigeme Francis Mbanefoh:   1998– 2004

6          Professor Umaru Gomwalk:           May 1994 –1998 (appointed as the Sole Administrator)

7          Professor Oleka K. Udeala:            1992 – 1995

8          Professor Chimere Ikoku:   1985 – 1992

9          Professor Frank Nwachukwu Ndili:          1980 – Oct. 1985

10        Professor Umaru Shehu:     1978 – 1979

11        Professor James O. C. Ezeilo:        1975 – 1978

12        Professor Herbert C. Kodilinye:    1971 – 1975

13        Professor Eni Njoku:           July 1966 – 1967; 1967 – 1970

14        Professor Glen L. Taggart:  1964 – 1966

15        Dr. George Marion Johnson:          1960 – 1964

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On Thursday, August 15, 2024, the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT Conducted successful elections into the various Faculties in the university with 12 new Deans elected to oversee the affairs of the faculties for the next two years.

In an election across 13 out of the 14 faculties in the institution, 8 new deans were elected while 4 others retained their positions.

The faculties with new deans are: Education, Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Management Sciences, Agriculture and Engineering

The four faculties whose deans were retained include, Law, Social Sciences and Humanities, Clinical Medicine and Basic Medical Sciences

Below is the names of the new faculty deans in ESUT

Agriculture and Natural Resources – Prof Emeka Nze

Law. – Prof Simon Ortuanya

Environmental Sciences – Prof Edmond Iyi

Management Sciences – Prof Uche Ugwuanyi

Social Sciences and Humanities – Prof Nicholas Attamah

Education – Prof Titus Owoh

Clinical Sciences – Prof Umezurike Hughes Okafor

Basic Medical Sciences – Dr Ozor Ignatius

Biological Sciences – Prof E.O. Ogu

Physical Sciences – Prof G.Z. Ugwu

Basic Clinical Medicine – Dr Sylvester Nweze

Health and Allied Sciences – Prof Humphrey Nwobodo

The new deans who have assumed their respective duties are expected to pilot the affairs of their faculties for the next two years.

The University management on 19 and 20 September conducted training for the Deans Directors, HODs, and other frontline workers with a view to enhancing their productivity, ethical values and work relationship as well as mentoring other staff and students

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