A former Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Uche Nnaji, has reportedly been arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu State while preparing to board a chartered flight to Abuja.
It was gathered that the former minister was taken into custody on Wednesday at the airport.
According to Premium Times, sources disclosed that Nnaji is expected to be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for interrogation.
Although the reason for the arrest was not officially disclosed, the development comes months after allegations surrounding his academic credentials resurfaced following a response by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) to a Freedom of Information request.
In October 2025, it was reported that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka formally disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate being paraded by Nnaji, who was then the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
The university maintained that Nnaji never graduated from the institution and was never issued the certificate he presented.
The controversy dates back to July 2023 when Nnaji was nominated by President Tinubu as one of the first 28 ministerial nominees submitted to the Senate for confirmation.
At the time, critics questioned the authenticity of his academic qualifications and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) credentials, alleging that he neither completed his studies at UNN nor legitimately obtained the qualifications he claimed.
Responding to a Freedom of Information request by Premium Times, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Professor Simon U. Ortuanya, confirmed that while Nnaji was admitted into the university in 1981, there was no record indicating that he completed his studies or graduated.
“We refer to your letter dated 29 September 2025 in respect of the above subject matter,” Mr Ortuanya stated in his letter dated 2 October 2025.
“We can confirm that Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, with Matriculation Number 1981/30725, was admitted by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1981.”
“From every available records and information from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, we are unable to confirm that Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, the current Minister of Science and Technology, graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985, as there are no records of his completion of study in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.”
“Flowing from above, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka DID NOT and consequently, COULD NOT have issued the purported certificate, or at all, in July 1985 to Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, the current Minister of Science and Technology.”
As of the time of filing this report, neither the ICPC nor Nnaji had issued an official statement regarding the arrest or the specific allegations for which he is expected to be questioned.
