A legal dispute involving former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), may be resolved outside the courtroom, following fresh developments at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
During proceedings before Justice Hauwa Yilwa, counsel to the former minister informed the court that all parties are currently exploring an amicable settlement of the matter.
The case stems from allegations of certificate forgery against Nnaji, which led to his resignation from office in 2025.
In his suit, Nnaji had sought to prevent UNN from releasing his academic records while also requesting that the institution provide him with his official transcript.
The former minister also joined several parties in the suit, including the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and officials of UNN.
At the resumed hearing, his lawyer, Ope Muritala, requested an adjournment to allow ongoing negotiations to continue, describing it as a new development in the case.
Although counsel representing the Minister of Education and the NUC said they were not previously aware of the settlement discussions, they did not oppose the request.
Similarly, legal representatives for UNN confirmed that they were open to resolving the dispute amicably, while urging the court to keep their applications on record in case negotiations break down.
Justice Yilwa declined to hear pending motions, stating that they would only be considered if settlement efforts fail.
The court subsequently adjourned the case until July 8, 2026, for an update on the outcome of the negotiations.
The dispute has been marked by legal arguments over jurisdiction and procedural compliance, with UNN and its officials challenging the competence of the suit.
They argued that the case was filed outside the statutory time limit and questioned the court’s authority to adjudicate matters relating to academic records and university administration.
The defendants also maintained that due process was not followed and that no prior request had been made before initiating legal action.
The outcome of the settlement talks is expected to determine whether the matter proceeds to full trial or is resolved amicably.
