Shehu Sani Warns Politicians Against Forged Certificates Amid Nnaji Degree Controversy

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has stated that a secondary school certificate is sufficient for anyone aspiring to contest elections or hold political office in Nigeria.

Sani made the comment on Monday while reacting to an investigative report which revealed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), had disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate held by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji. According to the report, the university confirmed that Nnaji neither completed his studies nor was issued a certificate by the institution.

Citing court documents filed before Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the report noted that Nnaji himself admitted that UNN never awarded him a degree. He subsequently filed a suit against the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN, its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, the Registrar, former Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Oguejiofor Ujam, and the university’s Senate.

The court reportedly granted three of Nnaji’s requests, including an order compelling the university to release his academic transcript, but refused to issue an injunction against the defendants. The case was adjourned to October 6 for further hearing.

Reacting via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Sani advised political office seekers to avoid falsifying their academic credentials, warning that political opponents often expose such deceit. He wrote: “All you need to contest elections or for political appointment is a secondary school certificate. There is no way in the realm of politics one can claim any unearned qualifications without his or her political opponents digging into the matter. Some troubles are unnecessary.