Recent investigations by Premium Times have exposed allegations of certificate forgery involving Uche Nnaji, the Minister for Science and Technology, during his Senate ministerial screening.

This year, a breakthrough revealed that Nnaji allegedly admitted to forging his academic credentials, reportedly issued in the early 1980s — a time when I was not even in primary school. This revelation raises serious questions about how someone who relied on fraudulent credentials could ascend to a position considered worthy of ministerial appointment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The development prompts a deeper concern: how many others in positions of power have built their careers on similar deceptions? For those of us who endured sleepless nights studying, sacrificing social lives and relationships to honor our parents’ sacrifices, such fraud is a direct insult.

The rigor of grappling with complex academic concepts — from Ababio’s Chemistry principles to P.N. Okeke’s Physics and the experiments in Modern Biology — shaped our respect for education. Those who faced the challenges of understanding hydrocarbons and their real-world applications cannot help but feel betrayed by individuals like Nnaji.

For many of us, university life meant shunning distractions like cultism, parties, and relationships to pursue academic excellence. People like Nnaji undermine the very foundation of those sacrifices and the value of education. What a shame!

The Nigerian government must declare a state of emergency on academic fraud and malpractice. Those found guilty, like Nnaji, should issue public apologies and face legal consequences.

Furthermore, I call on public figures such as Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker, to make their academic records public.

A recent video of Kalu attempting to compare financial indices between past and present administrations raised doubts about his competence. His analysis appeared elementary and unbecoming of someone in his position.

For context, the prices of goods and services have risen by over 300% between 2015 and 2025. In 2019, I purchased an ES 350 for ₦3.5 million; today, that amount cannot buy a comparable vehicle. Such basic errors in numerical reasoning cast serious doubt on his qualifications and suitability for leadership.

The Nigerian government must urgently rescreen all credentials submitted by public officials across every tier of government. We cannot allow individuals like Nnaji to continue occupying positions of authority, undermining the trust and integrity of our national systems.