UNN Vice Chancellor Under Scrutiny For Alleged Manipulation Of Former Minister’s Academic Records

According to reports monitored by Ireporter Online, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Simon Ortuanya, is under mounting pressure to resign after fresh allegations emerged accusing him of tampering with the academic records of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji.

The controversy resurfaced after concerns were raised over Nnaji’s degree certificate from UNN, despite earlier confirmation of its authenticity by the institution’s Registrar. Civil society groups allege that the Vice Chancellor personally released the former minister’s records and publicly claimed that Nnaji did not graduate from the university—an action they insist bypassed the Registrar, who is the legally recognized custodian of student records.

At a press briefing in Enugu, the Joint Civil Society Front (JCSF) announced that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has set up a panel to investigate the alleged certificate manipulation. JCSF Coordinator, Vincent Ani, questioned the motive behind Prof. Ortuanya’s actions, describing them as politically influenced attempts to discredit the former minister.

Ani condemned the development, stating that the Vice Chancellor’s intervention “signals institutional dysfunction and bias,” and emphasized that only a transparent probe could restore confidence in the university’s record-keeping system. He commended the Education Minister for initiating the investigation but insisted that Prof. Ortuanya must step aside to prevent any form of interference, intimidation, or alteration of evidence.

The group maintained that Nnaji’s resignation from public office should not be mistaken for an admission of wrongdoing, but rather a gesture of transparency. They urged the Vice Chancellor to follow suit or be suspended by the Federal Ministry of Education.

JCSF warned that the unfolding events risk damaging the reputation and credibility of the University of Nigeria if left unaddressed. They cited the institution’s abrupt reversal in 2023 regarding Nnaji’s graduation status and the reported disappearance of academic records in 2025 as troubling indicators that require urgent corrective action.