UNN Vice Chancellor Faces Resignation Calls Over Alleged Tampering With Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji’s Records

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Simon Ortuanya, is facing renewed pressure to resign following allegations that he tampered with the academic documents of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji.

Nnaji had earlier accused Ortuanya of manipulating his university records amid allegations that he falsified his UNN degree certificate—claims previously dismissed by the university registrar, who had cleared him of wrongdoing.

At a press conference in Enugu, the Joint Civil Society Front (JCSF) revealed that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has set up an investigative panel to probe the alleged certificate-tampering controversy.

Attempts to obtain comments from the Vice Chancellor were unsuccessful, as both he and the university’s public relations office declined to respond.

However, the civil society group insists Ortuanya should step aside—just as Nnaji did—so the Federal Ministry of Education’s Investigative Panel of Inquiry can carry out its work free of interference.

JCSF Coordinator, Vincent Ani, said Ortuanya is under scrutiny because he personally released Nnaji’s academic records and asserted that the former minister did not graduate from UNN—actions the group alleges followed the tampering of those records.

“This action bypassed the Registrar, the statutory custodian of academic records. This action has raised immediate concerns about the motive behind the action of the Vice Chancellor, who suddenly performed a statutory responsibility of the registrar.

“This singular action from the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, is a strong sign of institutional malaise and a politically motivated bias with an undertone geared towards maligning the person of Chief Uche Nnaji,” Ani stated.

While commending the Education Minister for setting up the panel, the group stressed that impartiality requires that anyone under investigation should be suspended to prevent interference, intimidation, destruction of evidence, or manipulation of records.

“The Joint Civil Society Front (JCSF), Enugu State, hereby demands that Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya be suspended while the panel conducts its assignment. This demand is not only about transparency but about protecting the integrity and reputation of the University of Nigeria — the nation’s flagship institution,” the group said.

They added that the shifting positions of UNN—from affirming in 2023 that Nnaji graduated, to reported disappearance of related academic records in 2025—pose a “dangerous precedent” that could damage the institution’s credibility if not addressed promptly.

The group also noted that Nnaji’s resignation from office should not be seen as an admission of guilt but as a commitment to transparency and due process.

“We therefore expect that Prof. Simon Ortuanya should do the same willingly, like Uche Nnaji, or be suspended by the Federal Ministry of Education so that the investigative panel can do their job smoothly without let or hindrance,” JCSF stated.

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