Fresh controversy has erupted at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as pressure continues to mount on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, to leave office following allegations of tampering with the academic records of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji.
The renewed call for his resignation resurfaced after concerns grew over the handling of documents linked to Nnaji’s years as a student at the institution.
Former Minister Nnaji had earlier accused the Vice-Chancellor of altering his university records at a time when there were widespread claims that he had presented a falsified UNN degree certificate.
This was despite an earlier confirmation by the university’s registrar stating that Nnaji’s academic documents were original and valid.
A coalition under the banner of the Joint Civil Society Front (JCSF), Enugu State, addressed journalists and revealed that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had already set up an investigative panel to look into the allegations surrounding the alleged certificate tampering.
According to the group, the Federal Ministry of Education wants to establish what happened, how the documents were handled, and why the university’s earlier official position had suddenly changed.
Attempts by reporters to obtain a direct response from Prof. Ortuanya or the university’s Public Relations Office were unsuccessful, as neither the VC nor the communications unit agreed to comment on the matter.
The JCSF, however, insists that the Vice-Chancellor cannot remain in office while the investigation continues. The group argues that Ortuanya should step down in the same way Nnaji resigned to allow for a fair and open inquiry.
Moreover, they warned that allowing the VC to remain in his position could compromise the work of the investigative panel set up by the Education Ministry.
Speaking at the briefing, the group’s coordinator, Vincent Ani, said the pressure on Ortuanya intensified after he allegedly released Nnaji’s academic details on his own authority and asserted that the former minister never graduated from the university.
According to Ani, this act directly contradicted the registrar, who is the official custodian of student records. He added that by taking over the registrar’s statutory duty, Ortuanya raised serious questions about motive, neutrality, and due process within the institution.
Ani stated: “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.”
The group welcomed the decision of the Education Minister to constitute a panel but insisted that standard practice requires the suspension of any official under investigation to prevent interference, intimidation of staff, or alteration of evidence.
They said: “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.”
According to the group, the heart of the issue goes beyond Nnaji and directly affects the reputation of UNN. They noted that the university had maintained a clear position in 2023 affirming that Nnaji graduated, only to reverse that same position in 2025.
The sudden disappearance or alteration of documents, they said, sends a disturbing message about the institution’s internal controls.
They warned that this type of inconsistency is capable of damaging the university’s credibility for years if not handled decisively. The JCSF further stressed that Nnaji’s resignation as minister was not an admission of wrongdoing, but a gesture aimed at ensuring transparency. They now expect the same from the Vice-Chancellor.
They added: “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 should do their job smoothly without let or hindrance.”
Recall, we earlier reported that the resignation of former Minister Uche Geoffrey Nnaji was directly linked to the same certificate scandal at University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The Ex-Minister stepped down in early October 2025 after revelations that UNN and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) disowned the academic and service certificates he submitted when he was appointed minister.