Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has reportedly submitted his West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as part of his qualification documents for the 2027 governorship election in Enugu State.
Nnaji, who resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet in October 2025 amid controversy surrounding his academic credentials, was reportedly listed among those seeking to contest the Enugu governorship election.
According to a report by Premium Times, the former minister did not include the university degree certificate that had been at the centre of allegations questioning the authenticity of his academic qualifications. Instead, he reportedly relied on his secondary school certificate for the electoral process.
The development has attracted attention because of the controversy that preceded his resignation from the federal cabinet.
Nnaji stepped down as minister on October 7, 2025, following allegations concerning the authenticity of his University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.
The allegations triggered public scrutiny of his academic records and raised questions about the credentials he had presented during his public service career.
However, Nnaji has denied forging his credentials, while the allegations surrounding the disputed documents have been the subject of legal and investigative proceedings.
His reported decision to submit a WAEC certificate instead of the disputed university degree has now brought the controversy back into the spotlight as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections gather momentum.
Under Nigeria’s constitutional requirements, a candidate seeking election as governor must satisfy the prescribed educational qualification, which includes education to at least the school certificate level or its equivalent. A university degree is not a mandatory constitutional requirement for the office.
Consequently, the submission of a WAEC certificate does not automatically disqualify a candidate from contesting the governorship election. However, the legal issues surrounding any alleged false declaration or disputed credentials remain separate matters that must be determined through the appropriate legal process.
