By Charles Maduka
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has warned that certificate forgery by public officials is making dishonesty normal in Nigeria. He spoke after reports alleged that a minister in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet admitted he did not have a university degree and called for quick action, including the prosecution of anyone guilty of certificate fraud.
An investigation by PREMIUM TIMES reported that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka denied issuing a degree certificate to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji. The report said Nnaji never completed his studies and later admitted in court documents that the university did not give him a degree. According to the report, the minister also went to court against the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission, the University of Nigeria and some of its top officials.
Obi said leaders who should be role models are instead damaging the country’s values. He warned that when top officials act dishonestly, young people copy them. He compared Nigeria to Indonesia, where false certificates immediately lead to disqualification and prosecution, and criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission for not properly checking certificates before elections or addressing forgery complaints.
He also expressed worry over how dishonest people pass through several layers of government checks and even swear affidavits to back fake documents. Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, he urged that all candidates submit their certificates to the electoral body right after party primaries and proposed that the certificates and school details be made public for 90 days so Nigerians can verify them.
Obi said crimes like forgery should not be treated as minor issues and called for an end to rewarding dishonesty with power. According to him, true leadership must begin with honesty.
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