By: Fatima Idera and Helen Okechukwu
In recent years, Nigeria has grappled with a troubling wave of certificate forgery scandals involving members of its political elite, including ministers holding some of the nation’s most strategic positions.
These recurring controversies have deepened public concern about integrity, accountability, and the credibility of the country’s vetting system for political appointments.
The latest scandal erupted in 2025, following revelations that the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, allegedly presented falsified academic credentials from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The university later disowned the degree purportedly linked to him, stating that no records showed he completed his studies there, as he had claimed. Evidence also revealed that Nnaji eventually admitted he never received the certificate in question. Mounting public outrage and intense scrutiny ultimately forced his resignation from office.
Nnaji’s case has reignited debate about the growing pattern of credential fraud among Nigerian public officials, drawing parallels to the forgery scandal involving former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun.
In 2018, Adeosun resigned after it was revealed that she had presented a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) exemption certificate. The NYSC scheme, a mandatory one-year programme for Nigerian graduates under 30 seeking public-sector employment, is a legal prerequisite for holding government office.
The NYSC maintained that it had no record of issuing an exemption certificate to Adeosun, noting that such a document cannot be granted to anyone who graduates before the age of 30. Records later confirmed that she graduated from the University of East London before reaching that age.
Following her resignation, a Federal High Court ruled that Adeosun was not legally bound to present an NYSC certificate to hold public office, effectively clearing her of wrongdoing. Nonetheless, her resignation left a lasting imprint on the national conscience and reinforced calls for stronger verification systems in government.
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In 1999, Salisu Buhari, then Speaker of the House of Representatives, stepped down after admitting to falsifying his age and forging a degree from the University of Toronto. Buhari was later convicted of certificate forgery and sentenced to two years in prison, with an option of a fine. He paid the fine and was subsequently pardoned by the then president Olusegun Obasanjo.
The recurrence of such scandals has steadily eroded public trust in Nigeria’s political leadership and raised serious questions about the effectiveness of background checks in vetting top government officials. Critics argue that without stronger institutional safeguards, Nigeria risks normalizing deceit at the highest levels of governance.
For many citizens, the issue goes beyond individual wrongdoing, it strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s leadership crisis. Restoring credibility, they insist, will require firm accountability measures, transparent recruitment processes, and a renewed national commitment to ethical leadership.
Weighing in on the issue, Dr. Emma Jimo, a public affairs analyst with Fresh FM Nigeria and a lecturer in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Lead City University, said the scandal reflects deeper systemic failures within government.
He argued that the case speaks volumes about the moral fibre of some Nigerian politicians who occupy the corridors of power.
“What kind of minister in charge of science and technology could be so unwise and crude as to even consider forging a document in this day and age?” he asked.
Dr. Jimo criticised Nigeria’s screening and verification processes, saying the scandal exposes weaknesses in the system of checks and balances that allow unqualified individuals to ascend to power.
“Our vetting and scrutiny framework is weak. How did the minister bypass legislative oversight before receiving approval?” he questioned.
He added that the incident shows that President Tinubu’s administration, despite its reformist rhetoric, still mirrors the shortcomings of its predecessors.
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“The absence of institutional integrity remains the norm,” he said. “If the allegations against Nnaji are proven true, the administration must ensure his prosecution.”
A Reflection of National Values
Similarly, Professor Busuyi Mekusi, a lecturer in the Department of English Studies at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), said the forgery scandal extends beyond one administration.
He described it as a reflection of Nigeria’s broader moral and educational decay.
“This issue goes beyond President Bola Tinubu’s government. It casts a shadow over our nation, our citizens, and our democracy,” he said.
Prof. Mekusi noted that while Nnaji defended the authenticity of his UNN certificate, the legitimacy of his NYSC certificate remains in question , “another matter entirely,” as he put it.
He added that many Nigerian politicians place greater emphasis on acquiring certificates than on demonstrating competence, reflecting society’s obsession with academic qualifications.
“We believe so much in certificates and assume that people must collect them to secure positions in workplaces or public offices,” he said. “As valuable as education and proper certification are, we have drifted away from the true purpose of education — to equip individuals with skills and values that contribute meaningfully to nation-building.”
A Culture Obsessed with Paper, Not Performance
Professor Mekusi lamented that Nigeria’s education system has lost its focus on problem-solving, innovation, and national development. According to him, it has become more about collecting certificates than developing the competence to solve real human challenges.
He warned of the dangers of this trend, stressing that many individuals flaunt certificates obtained through fraudulent means — qualifications they cannot defend when it truly matters.
“In other countries, more emphasis is placed on skills, talent, and practical knowledge,” he explained. “It’s not just about certificates — it’s about performance and what you can do.”
READ ALSO: Uche Nnaji bows to Tinubu’s pressure, resigns over certificate forgery allegations
He emphasised the importance of practical and applied education, arguing that it should focus on equipping people with relevant skills rather than producing paper qualifications with little real-world value.
Calls for Reform and Accountability
When asked whether the controversy could affect the Senate and Tinubu’s endorsement process, Mekusi responded that the problem runs deeper.
“It’s not just about Tinubu; it’s about us as a people. But if it’s confirmed that Nnaji presented a forged certificate, it will raise serious doubts about the credibility of our evaluation and screening process,” he said.
Both experts agreed that to restore public confidence, the government must make certificate verification a top priority before any nomination or appointment is confirmed.
“An institution like the DSS should carry out thorough background checks on everyone put forward for public office,” Mekusi said.
He cited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as one of the few government bodies that rigorously verifies employees’ academic claims, sending officials to confirm credentials directly with institutions to prevent impersonation or “ghost” employees.
Reclaiming Integrity and Trust
Mekusi further urged the government to adopt a more decisive and reformed approach to education — one that prioritises competence and credibility over mere possession of certificates.
He also acknowledged some progress under the current administration, particularly the promotion of vocational and technical courses aimed at equipping students with practical skills.
“I want to commend the President and the Minister of Education for promoting courses that encourage handwork and skill acquisition,” he said. “Beyond the certificates we earn, we must focus on developing the skills that make us productive citizens.”
Both experts warned that the persistence of certificate forgery scandals could continue to erode public trust and weaken democratic institutions.
“When fraudsters are rewarded with public office, what message does that send?” Dr. Jimo asked. “It reinforces illegality, undermines genuine achievement, and fuels moral decay.”
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They concluded that the time has come for Nigeria to move beyond paper qualifications and rebuild a system rooted in merit, ethics, and competence, one that values what people can do, not merely what certificates they hold.
