Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has initiated moves to settle out of court a suit he filed against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and other parties over his academic records.
According to Premium Times, Nnaji instituted the suit in October 2025 following an investigation that alleged he forged his degree and NYSC certificates.
He resigned from office three days after the report, which detailed how the certificates were submitted for his ministerial appointment.
At Monday’s court proceedings, counsel to Nnaji, Ope Muritala, informed the court of a “new development,” stating that parties were considering an out-of-court resolution.
He requested an adjournment to allow for discussions.
Lawyers representing the Minister of Education and the National Universities Commission said they were unaware of the development but did not oppose the request.
Counsel to UNN and its officials confirmed that settlement talks were ongoing but urged the court to hear their pending motion in case negotiations fail.
However, the presiding judge, Hauwa Yilwa, declined to consider the application, stating that it would be addressed only if settlement efforts collapsed.
The case was subsequently adjourned to July 8.
Legal Battle Stalled By Procedural Issues
The matter has yet to proceed to a full hearing due to procedural challenges, including service of processes and preliminary objections.
The defendants had earlier urged the court to strike out the suit, citing lack of jurisdiction and procedural irregularities.
Meanwhile, a federal government investigative panel set up by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, found that Nnaji forged his UNN degree certificate.
The panel reported that although he was admitted in the 1981/82 academic session, he did not graduate and was not listed among graduates in 1985.
It also noted that he failed a key course and there was no record of him retaking or passing it.
Investigators raised concerns over how Nnaji obtained a purported certificate dated July 1985, which he presented for ministerial appointment.
“The panel was unable to find any record of him having taken the failed course,” the report stated.
The findings have triggered calls for Nnaji’s prosecution over alleged certificate forgery, even as the legal dispute over his academic records continues.
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