How We Busted Nnaji’s Academic Certificate Fraud, By PT Editor-in-Chief

The Editor-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer of Premium Times Newspaper, Musikilu Mojeed, has revealed how the media outlet uncovered the academic certificate fraud allegedly perpetrated by the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji.

Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Tuesday night, Mojeed disclosed that the investigation began after a whistleblower alerted the newspaper to discrepancies in Nnaji’s academic records two years ago.

“A whistleblower had written to us via email to raise concern and alert us about some discrepancies in the minister’s claim,” Mojeed explained. “The whistleblower appealed to us to investigate, saying they did not know the person but were confident that if we did a diligent investigation, we would uncover something shocking. We took up the challenge and started working on it since 2023.”

He said the PT newsroom immediately swung into action, deploying reporters to Abuja and Enugu to verify the claims.

“We first wrote to the NYSC on September 23, 2023,” he said. “We had no problem with the minister; we did not know him. Our strength is investigation — everybody knows Premium Times for that. When a matter is brought before us, we investigate. Sometimes we find things that are indicting; sometimes we don’t. But it is our job as journalists, as required of us by the constitution, to hold power accountable, which is what we have done here.”

Mojeed also addressed allegations made by the minister’s spokesperson, Robert Ngu, that Premium Times received ₦100 million bribe from the Enugu State government to publish the report.

“Robert Ngu accused us of receiving ₦100 million from the Enugu government,” Mojeed said. “Of course, he is going to prove that in court. We are not a newspaper that you can unduly malign. We have built our integrity for close to 15 years, done a lot of great stories, and no one has ever accused us of such.”

Recall that Nnaji, who resigned on Tuesday following controversy over his academic credentials from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, maintained that his decision to step down was a matter of principle.

Meanwhile, the former minister denied any wrongdoing, insisting that his resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet was not an admission of guilt.

In a statement released Tuesday night, the former minister said his decision to step down was guided by principle and a desire to uphold due process amid the ongoing controversy over his academic credentials from UNN, and his NYSC discharge certificate.

“My decision to step aside is therefore a personal choice — not an admission of guilt, but rather a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings currently before the court,” he said. “In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just.”

While Nnaji maintained that he graduated from UNN in 1975, reports suggest that the institution could not verify his academic records.

Describing the allegations as politically motivated, the former minister said the controversy was part of a wider campaign to smear his image.

“Over the past week, an orchestrated and sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated and malicious attacks have been waged against my person, integrity, and office across print, electronic, and social media platforms,” Nnaji stated. “These unfounded allegations and media distortions have not only caused personal distress but have also begun to distract from the vital work of the Ministry and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.”

Nnaji, who was appointed as Minister in August 2023, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the nation.

President Tinubu has since accepted Nnaji’s resignation. In a statement by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, the President thanked the former minister for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours.