The Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Professor Simon U. Ortuanya, has denied claims by Premium Times that he made statements or provided correspondence regarding the academic status of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji.
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In a statement made available to the media through Engr. Jekwu Onovo, Prof. Ortuanya described the Premium Times publication of October 4, 2025, as “false and misleading.”
He said he neither discussed nor shared any correspondence with the author of the report, Chinagorom Ugwu, and warned journalists and politicians to desist from dragging university administrators into “their misguided activities.”
“I am appointed to serve the university community, not the media,” Ortuanya said. “The university cannot discuss any graduate’s results or academic record with journalists without the individual’s explicit consent. Doing so would violate the graduate’s right to privacy, as such information is legally protected.”
The Vice Chancellor added that he was still studying the Premium Times publication and would take all necessary steps to protect the integrity of his office and the university.
The Premium Times report had claimed that the University of Nigeria disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate presented by Minister Nnaji, alleging that although he was admitted in 1981, he did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree.
Prof. Ortuanya’s response highlights the legal implications of such disclosures, referencing the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, which provides a framework for safeguarding citizens’ personal data. The law mandates that personal information must be processed lawfully and only with the informed consent of the individual concerned.
He noted that any discussion of a student’s academic records with the media without consent would constitute a violation of privacy rights under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the privacy of citizens and their personal data.
The statement further stressed that even under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011, there are clear exemptions preventing the public disclosure of personal records. Section 14(1)(b) of the Act prohibits officials from releasing personal information about public officers, appointees, or nominees for public office.
“In some rare and limited circumstances, personal data can be disclosed without consent, but these exceptions do not include discussing a student’s grades or certificates with journalists,” the statement noted.
Commenting on the claim that the disputed certificates were obtained from a senator, the statement questioned the credibility of such a claim, emphasizing that senators do not have the legal authority to publicly release confidential documents submitted during ministerial screening.
“I make bold to say that no senator of the 10th National Assembly released Uche Nnaji’s personal data. I challenge Premium Times and its reporter, Chinagorom Ugwu, to name the senator who allegedly gave them the documents they are circulating. Otherwise, the public should understand that the certificates they are displaying are their own creation and forgery,” the statement concluded.
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