Falsification of age and certifications (academic and NYSC) has become a cancer in Nigeria’s political landscape. Since the return of democracy in 1999, there have been allegations of falsification of age and academic certificates against both elected and appointed government officials. This sad development has become a thing of worry, and many analysts have argued that if not curtailed, it could affect the image of the country.
From president to state governors to ministers to commissioners to lawmakers to local government chairmen, it has become a gradual culture of shame when people who are supposed to be elected or appointed meritoriously are now found to be in possession of falsified academic certificates.
A check by WITHIN NIGERIA revealed that not all allegations were substantiated. Some allegations of falsified age or academic certificates were overwhelmed with superior facts or evidence, making such allegations ‘watery’ or “unsubstantiated’.
However, there are some allegations that were affirmed or validated with damning revelations of deliberate forgery or manipulation, but these allegations could not stand due to political influence, loss of evidence, and calculated legal interference to frustrate prosecution, among others.
Here are ten (10) Nigerian politicians who have been accused of falsification of academic certificates:
BOLA AHMED TINUBU
Bola Tinubu is a former senator and governor of Lagos State. He is now the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Tinubu’s trial about falsification of academic certificates started on October 7, 1999.
The late human rights lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), filed an order at the Federal High Court, Lagos, to compel security operatives to investigate criminal allegations that he made against Bola Tinubu, then governor of Lagos State. He accused Tinubu of lying under oath that he attended Government College Ibadan and the University of Chicago.
The case could not continue because the Federal High Court, in its judgement, ruled that Tinubu, as the then sitting governor, could not be tried, as he enjoyed immunity from prosecution. The ruling of the Federal High Court was upheld by both the Appeal and Supreme Courts.
However, allegations of falsified academic certificates against Bola Tinubu resurfaced after the Chicago State University (CSU) released his academic records in response to a court case filed by Atiku Abubakar.
Abubakar, a former vice-president, asked a US court to compel CSU to release Tinubu’s records in his efforts or attempts to prove forgery against Bola Tinubu. The citadel of learning compiled and argued that it does not possess copies of diplomas once they are collected.
The institution released sample diplomas from 1979 and confirmed that Tinubu was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration that year.The institution also disclosed that it issued replacement diplomas to Tinubu in later years.
MUHAMMADU BUHARI
Muhammadu Buhari, the political king of the North and former president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2015-2023), is one of the Nigerian politicians who were accused of falsifying academic certificates.
The former president’s trial began in 2015 after he became the presidential candidate of a new coalition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and his presidential candidate, then President Goodluck Jonathan, expressed concern, worry, and dissatisfaction over the absence of his secondary school certificate.
In 2019, he continued his trial after becoming president. Buhari did not submit his academic credentials to INEC, the electoral body. This development sparked controversy, and there were new allegations that he did not pass through a secondary education.
However, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) later issued an attestation certificate affirming that Buhari had indeed obtained a secondary school certificate in 1961. In fact, there was a wild narrative that the Nigerian military lost Buhari’s certificates.
GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN
Goodluck Jonathan, the Bayelsa-born politician and former president was also accused of falsifying academic certificates. His trial began in 2015 after former president Olusegun Obasanjo claimed that Jonathan had not completed his doctoral program yet laid claims to a PhD.
A check into Jonathan’s biography showed that the former president had a BSc in Zoology (1981), an MSc in Hydrobiology & Fisheries (1985), and a PhD in Zoology (1995). He earned these certifications from the prestigious University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
However, the management of UNIPORT condemned the allegations and described them as baseless. The school management further declared that Jonathan completed all courses required and submitted a PhD thesis that was awarded.
Dr. William Wodi, the Deputy Registrar (Information), further disclosed that Jonathan matriculated in 1977, earned his BSc in 1981 and MSc in 1985, and was awarded his PhD in 1995.
AYODELE FAYOSE
Ayodele Fayose, a former governor of Ekiti State, was also accused of falsifying academic certificates, particularly his Higher National Diploma (HND). His trial began in 2014 after his rivals alleged that he submitted a fake HND certificate to INEC, the electoral body.
There were also unverified claims that the Polytechnic Community denied him being a student of the institution. There were some claims that the HND certificate in the possession of Ayodele Fayose belonged to another person.
Another source claimed that Fayose attended the Polytechnic Ibadan as a student, but he/she did not know if the former governor graduated. However, there is no verified document/statement, either legal or signed by the school authority, that validates or invalidates Fayose’s HND certificate claim.
ADEMOLA ADELEKE
Ademola Adeleke, a former senator and current governor of Osun State, was also accused of falsifying an academic certificate. His trial began in 2018 when he started his political journey in becoming the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun.
Recall that two individuals, namely Rasheed Olabayo and Oluwasein Idowu, who are/were members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), approached the Osogbo High Court and accused Ademola Adeleke of falsifying his West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results and secondary school testimonial to secure the PDP ticket for the 2018 gubernatorial election.
According to the report, Adeleke’s testimonial dated July 20, 1988, contained “Ede Muslim Grammar School, Osun State” at a time the state had not been formed. Besides, another testimonial from 2018 appeared to be signed by the same principal who signed the 1988 document, raising suspicions.
However, the judge dismissed the case, citing insufficient evidence to prove forgery and misrepresentation. The matter was taken to the Federal High Court by new plaintiffs. They filed a case against Adeleke, the PDP, and the INEC, calling for his disqualification, but the Court of Appeal cleared Adeleke and concluded that he possessed the requisite educational credentials to run.
DINO MELAYE
Dino Melaye was also accused of falsifying an academic certificate. His trial began in 2017 after Sahara Reporters reported that the Kogi ex-senator did not graduate from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU).
However, the management of Ahmadu Bello University, in defense of the Kogi ex-senator, disclosed that Melaye is in possession of a Statement of Results, which indicated that he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Geography) with Third Class Honours.
The disclosure of ABU sparked controversy after it was discovered that the said statement of result had “B.A. Geography,” and the institution offers B.Sc. Geography under its Faculty of Science, not a Bachelor of Arts.
Melaye had equally claimed that he earned a full degree from Harvard University and the London School of Economics (LSE). Both citadels of learning declared that Melaye has no academic records of obtaining any degree. Harvard further clarified that Melaye only attended a one-week seminar in 2016.
ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE
Adams Oshiomhole, a former Edo governor and current senator, was also accused of falsifying an academic certificate. His trial began in 2012 after Major General Charles Airhiavbere (Retd.) accused Oshiomhole of claiming to have attended Iyamoh Primary School, Iyamoh, from 1957 to 1962.
However, the Edo State Ministry of Education, via its records, disclosed that Iyamoh Primary School was founded in 1963.
The former Edo governor reportedly claimed to have graduated from Blessed Martin’s Secondary Modern School in 1965, but his name was not found among the graduates of that school for that year he claimed.
Another problem he had was that recorded names on academic documents or certificates do not tally. His primary and secondary school certificates carry Adams Aliu as his name, while documents from his adult education at Ahmadu Bello University show “Adams O. Aliu.”
STELLA ODUAH
Stella Oduah, a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was also accused of falsifying an academic certificate.
Her trial for falsifying an academic certificate began after Sahara Reporters, in an investigative report, claimed that she fabricated her academic credentials.
A check revealed that Stella Oduah attended St. Paul’s College in Virginia, United States, between 1978 and 1982, where she earned a degree in accounting, according to her profile at the National Assembly.
However, Dr. Claud Flythe, then president of St. Paul College, maintained neutral grounds on Oduah’s saga. He did not verify or deny her claims. She was also accused of manipulating the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme and advancing her falsification to secure appointments as a minister.
Oduah was supposed to be arraigned on eight counts, but stall proceedings occasioned by her repeated absence in court did not help matters.
KEMI ADEOSUN
Kemi Adeosun, an Ogun-born finance expert and former Minister of Finance, was also accused of falsifying an NYSC certificate. Her trial began in early 2018 after she was accused of presenting a forged NYSC exemption certificate. This prompted her resignation from the Buhari-led administration.
According to Adeosun, she was unaware the exemption certificate she claimed to have reportedly obtained via a third party was not genuine. She further disclosed that those who lived and schooled abroad were exempted from serving under NYSC rules. She approached the court after her resignation to challenge the requirement to present an NYSC certificate to hold public office.
On July 7, 2021, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/303/2021, Folakemi Adeosun v. The Attorney General of the Federation, that the NYSC certificate is not mandatory for appointment as a minister or for seeking certain public offices. The court further held that Adeosun was a British citizen at the time she graduated and was ineligible to participate in NYSC under the law. However, there was no ruling on the said forged exemption certificate to date.
UCHE GEOFFREY NNAJI
The Minister of Science, Innovation, and Technology, Uche Geoffrey, has been caught in the crossfire. Though he has rendered his resignation letter, he remains on the lips of every Nigerian at this moment. He was also accused of falsifying academic certificates.His trial began in 2023 after he was nominated by President Bola Tinubu for a ministerial position.
Recall that Nnaji, during his senate confirmation hearing on August 1, 2023, claimed that he graduated in 1985 and completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Jos the following year. This claim sparked controversy as many wondered if he spent one year in school to become a degree holder.
In response to the petition and queries, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), stated that Nnaji never graduated from the institution. Prof. Simon U. Ortuanya, in a letter dated October 2, 2025, confirmed that Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, with Matriculation Number 1981/30725, was admitted by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1981.
But the school is unable to confirm from every available academic record that he graduated in July 1985 because there are no records of his completion of study.
A further check revealed that the academic certificate was forged because it showed July 1985, when the suggested service year for NYSC in 1985 began in April.
NYSC officials claimed that no certificate had ever been issued to him, and Nnaji’s name was not found in the convocation booklet from 1985.
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