The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was recently embroiled in an academic scandal over “no evidence of graduation” against Hon. Uche Nnaji, former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology. However, I will take the discussion from the point of knowledge.

I know how the three core units under the Registry Department that oversee students’ progression from admission to graduation (viz., Admission Unit, Exams Unit, and Records Unit) work. Therefore, I am sufficiently familiar with the system to speak on the issue.

On 2 October 2025, Prof Simon Ortuanya, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, issued an official letter of “no evidence of graduation” against Hon. Uche Nnaji. The letter was to counter an earlier official letter released by Dr (Mrs) I.A.S. Onyeador confirming the genuineness of Hon.

Uche Nnaji’s graduation from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, based on his official academic records under her custody as Head of the Records Unit. Thus, what are the possible queries emanating from the vice chancellor’s letter of “no evidence of graduation” against Hon. Uche Nnaji?

The vice chancellor did not explain in his letter how he obtained Uche’s academic file/records, as such documents are not directly under his custody. He also failed to mention or outline the shortfalls he observed in Hon. Uche Nnaji’s academic records that purportedly stopped him from graduating with his 1985 set.

The Vice Chancellor’s letter lacked basic academic information that would prove he sighted Hon. Uche Nnaji’s academic records/file. Is merely stating “no evidence of graduation” in an official letter enough to disclaim someone’s academic records and graduation? The answer is no. There must be a detailed explanation of the academic deficiencies that halted the person’s graduation. Those deficiencies ought to be mentioned or disclosed, but they were not disclosed by the vice chancellor.

Hon. Uche Nnaji’s official student file had earlier confirmed his graduation with a pass class. Coming back to say that Uche Nnaji’s name did not appear in the convocation brochure of his set (1985), and therefore he did not graduate, may be a product of fear, intimidation, harassment, and threats she received.

The fact is that a student’s academic records/file are the most reliable source for verifying academic claims. In the student’s academic records/file, all results from the first year to the final year, the biodata, particulars of admission, class of graduation, final CGPA, and other vital or sensitive documents are contained intact.

A convocation brochure can contain possible omissions or errors, such as omitted names, wrong discipline or course of study, wrong class of pass, wrong CGPA, and, at times, wrong department of graduation arising from human error during compilation and production of the brochure. Sometimes even the student’s original certificate carries such error(s), and so does the convocation brochure.

In the 1980s, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, operated a four-point grading system, for example: A Excellent 4.00; AB Very Good 3.50; B Good 3.00; BC Fair 2.50; C Pass 2.00; CD Weak 1.50; D Very Weak 1.00; E Poor 0.50; F Fail 0.00. Source: UNN 80s grading system (verifiable).

It was mentioned that Hon. Uche Nnaji had a grade D in Virology (MCB 431AB). Grade D, to date, at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is a pass. During the 1980s, it was a weak pass (1.00 point). Currently, under the five-point grading system, it is fair (2.00).

In addition, during the 1980s, students were allowed to upgrade their score in any course in which they scored below C, and the new grade could not exceed C. The upgrading came under supplementary examinations, usually between August and September. Students paid for supplementary examinations, unlike in the case of an F grade, which is an outright carry-over or re-sit. Upgrading of results was optional, not compulsory. It was available to students who wanted to improve their scores in certain courses for a stronger CGPA. It is the F grade that requires a re-sit, then and now.

Moreover, one thing is obvious and sacrosanct concerning the movement of official student files in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The files of non-graduated students do not leave the Exams Unit for the Records Unit under any circumstances. Only the certified graduated student files are eligible to move to the Records Unit for safekeeping and for future use in confirming academic claims and producing academic transcripts. However, Hon. Uche Nnaji’s student file was found in the Records Unit among other graduated files of his set (1985). The evidence is there in the Records Unit, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. It is verifiable.

It is pitiable that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, which was built on the core value of teaching and preserving the truth to restore the dignity of man, has degenerated. This is worrisome.