Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for an independent and transparent investigation into the academic and professional credentials of all members of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, following the controversy surrounding the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji.
Atiku made the call in a statement on Tuesday, saying the “Uche Nnaji saga” has exposed what he described as the “forgery-ridden character” of the current administration. He alleged that the scandal reflects a deep moral crisis within the government, which, according to him, “is being run by individuals who have no respect for integrity, truth, or public accountability.”
The former Vice President urged that the investigation should begin with President Tinubu himself and extend to all cabinet members and top officials of the administration. “The Nigerian people deserve to know the truth about those who occupy public offices and the integrity of their credentials. No one should be above scrutiny,” he said.
Atiku’s statement comes amid the ongoing controversy over Uche Nnaji’s alleged certificate forgery. The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), reportedly issued a letter dated October 2, 2025, stating that it could not confirm Nnaji’s graduation record despite his claim of obtaining a degree in Biochemistry/Microbiology in 1985.
Nnaji, however, denied the allegations, insisting that the claim was politically motivated. He pointed to an earlier document from December 2023 confirming his graduation from UNN with a Bachelor’s degree. The embattled minister has since taken legal action against the university, asking a Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain the institution from altering his records and to compel the release of his transcripts.
The controversy has drawn sharp reactions from civil society organizations, legal practitioners, and opposition figures. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have both called for transparency, urging President Tinubu to suspend any official found guilty of falsifying credentials.
Several rights activists and senior lawyers have also described the incident as one of many cases of questionable qualifications within the current government, calling for a broader reform of Nigeria’s appointment and vetting system.
Political observers note that Atiku’s renewed criticism of the Tinubu government comes amid lingering debates over the President’s own academic history, which has remained a subject of public interest and controversy since before his inauguration.
As calls for accountability grow louder, the presidency is yet to issue an official response to Atiku’s demand for a full-scale investigation into the credentials of government officials.