Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has stated that possessing a secondary school certificate is enough qualification for anyone seeking elective or political office in Nigeria.

Sani made this remark on Monday while reacting to an investigative report that disclosed how the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), denied awarding a Bachelor of Science degree to the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uche Nnaji. The institution reportedly said Nnaji did not complete his studies and was never issued a certificate.

According to court filings before Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Nnaji allegedly admitted that UNN never issued him a degree certificate. The minister had filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), the University of Nigeria, its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, the Registrar, a former Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oguejiofor Ujam, and the university’s Senate.

The court reportedly granted three of Nnaji’s requests, including an order directing the university and its officials to release his academic transcript, but refused to issue an injunction against the defendants. The matter was adjourned to October 6 for further hearing.

Reacting through a post on his official X handle, Sani warned political office aspirants to desist from making false claims about their educational qualifications.

He wrote: “All you need to contest elections or for political appointment is a secondary school certificate. There is no way in the realm of politics one can claim any unearned qualifications without his or her political opponents digging into the matter. Some troubles are unnecessarily self-inflicted.”