Former Senator, Shehu Sani
ABUJA, Nigeria – Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has said that a secondary school certificate is sufficient for anyone seeking political office or appointment in Nigeria.
Sani made the statement on Monday in reaction to an investigative report alleging that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate held by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji.
According to the report, UNN stated that Nnaji did not complete his studies at the institution and was never issued a certificate. Court documents filed before Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court, Abuja, also indicated that Nnaji admitted that UNN never awarded him a degree.
The minister has since filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN, its Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Ortuanya, and other officials. The court granted some of Nnaji’s prayers — including an order compelling UNN to release his academic transcript — but refused to issue an injunction against the defendants. The matter was adjourned to 6 October for further hearing.
Reacting via his X (formerly Twitter) account, Sani advised politicians to avoid false educational claims, saying:
“All you need to contest elections or for political appointment is a secondary school certificate. There’s no way one can claim unearned qualifications without opponents exposing it. Some troubles are unnecessarily self-inflicted.”
