In a significant legal pivot, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, along with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has opted to explore an out-of-court settlement regarding a contentious dispute over his academic credentials. The move was announced on Monday during proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Nnaji originally initiated the legal action before Justice Hauwa Yilwa, seeking a court order to prevent the university from disclosing his academic records. The litigation followed a series of damaging allegations claiming that the former minister had forged both his university degree and his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate. These allegations, which first gained traction through media reports, ultimately led to Nnaji’s resignation from President Tinubu’s cabinet in 2025.
During the scheduled hearing on Monday, which was intended to address all pending applications, Nnaji’s counsel, Ope Muritala, informed the court of the shift in strategy. He noted that a “new development” had arisen as the involved parties began discussing a peaceful resolution outside the courtroom. Consequently, Muritala requested an adjournment to allow sufficient time for these negotiations to conclude.
Interestingly, the legal representatives for the Minister of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC)—P. C. Ike and N. H. Obah, respectively—indicated they were caught off guard by the announcement. Both lawyers stated they were only becoming aware of the settlement talks during the court session. Despite their lack of prior notice, neither counsel opposed the application for an adjournment.
Justice Yilwa has previously fixed the date for a progress report on these settlement talks. This case continues to draw public interest, as it touches on the integrity of academic certifications among high-ranking public officials. The outcome of these private negotiations will determine whether the specifics of Nnaji’s academic history will remain shielded or be subject to further scrutiny.
