Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, is facing renewed calls to step down following allegations that he tampered with academic records belonging to former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji.
The controversy surrounds Nnaji’s UNN degree certificate, which came under scrutiny despite earlier confirmation of its authenticity by the university’s Registrar.
At a press conference in Enugu, the Joint Civil Society Front (JCSF) disclosed that the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has constituted a panel to investigate the alleged certificate tampering scandal.
Coordinator of JCSF, Vincent Ani, alleged that Prof. Ortuanya personally released Nnaji’s academic records and declared that the former minister did not graduate from UNN, an action he said bypassed the Registrar, who is the statutory custodian of student records.
“This action has raised immediate concerns about the motive behind the Vice Chancellor’s move, which is seen as a politically motivated effort to malign Chief Uche Nnaji,” Ani said.
He added, “This singular action from the Vice Chancellor is a strong sign of institutional malaise and bias.”
The group commended the Education Minister for setting up the investigative panel, but insisted that Ortuanya must step down to ensure a fair inquiry.
Ani stated, “This will prevent interference, intimidation, destruction of evidence, or manipulation of records.
“The Joint Civil Society Front hereby demands that Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya be suspended while the panel conducts its assignment.”
The group also maintained that Nnaji’s resignation as a minister should not be seen as an admission of guilt but as a commitment to transparency.
“We therefore expect that Prof. Simon Ortuanya should do the same willingly, like Uche Nnaji, or be suspended by the Federal Ministry of Education,” JCSF said.
They warned that failure to act could damage the integrity and reputation of the University of Nigeria.
“From the abrupt shift in UNN’s official stance in 2023 on whether Chief Nnaji graduated, to the unexplained disappearance of academic records in 2025, a dangerous precedent is unfolding — one that could haunt UNN for generations if not addressed decisively,” the group added.
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