A long-standing legal battle between the former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) over allegations of certificate forgery took a significant turn on Monday as all parties agreed to pursue an out-of-court settlement.

During the scheduled hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja, counsel to the former minister, Ope Muritala, informed Justice Hauwa Yilwa that fresh developments had emerged, with the parties now exploring a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

The legal tussle, marked as suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, was initiated by Nnaji following a controversial investigation that alleged he did not graduate from the institution in 1985 as claimed. Nnaji had approached the court seeking an injunction to restrain the university from “tampering” with his academic records and to compel the release of his official transcripts.

He contended that certain university officials had engaged in the unauthorized and unethical disclosure of his personal academic data to media organizations.

Lawyers representing the Minister of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC), who are also defendants in the suit, indicated they were not opposed to the settlement talks despite only becoming aware of the move upon their arrival in court. Meanwhile, counsel for UNN and its principal officers confirmed that the shift toward negotiation had been communicated earlier. The university had previously maintained that Nnaji was admitted in 1981 but failed to fulfill the requirements for graduation due to an outstanding course.

In light of the parties’ willingness to negotiate, Justice Yilwa declined to hear any pending motions and adjourned the matter to July 8, 2026. The court noted that a report on the progress of the settlement would be expected on that date, which will determine whether the case is formally closed or if judicial proceedings will continue should the talks collapse. This pause in litigation offers a window for the former minister and the institution to resolve a scandal that has lingered in the public eye for months.