Mr. Nwankwoeze Williamson Chijioke, a Director of Lands in the Mass Housing Department (MHD) of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), has been accused of forging his Ordinary National Diploma (OND) certificate from Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.
According to Sahara Reporters, Chijioke allegedly presented an OND statement of result purportedly issued by Kwara Poly, which he used to gain admission into the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, where he later obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Architectural Technology.
The forged OND result, multiple sources who spoke to the media said, became the foundation upon which his entire academic and professional career was built.
It said investigations revealed that after securing the HND using the OND, Nwankwoeze went on to acquire additional qualifications, including a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC) and a Master’s degree in an undisclosed field.
Over time, the credentials reportedly facilitated his steady rise to the position of Director of Lands, one of the most sensitive and influential offices within the FCDA hierarchy.
A source familiar with the case told the media outlet that the revelations had triggered “shock and outrage” within certain circles in the ministry.
“This man built his entire academic and professional career on a fake foundation,” the source alleged. “If the OND is forged, every other qualification after that collapses. It means his admission to Oko Polytechnic — and by extension, all his later certificates — are invalid. It’s a classic case of systemic fraud hiding in plain sight.”
The source added that while whispers about the director’s questionable credentials had circulated for years, the scandal only gained traction after a civic watchdog decided to pursue a formal verification process.
A legal firm reportedly wrote to the Kwara State Polytechnic seeking official confirmation of the authenticity of Mr. Nwankwoeze’s OND certificate.
In a formal response dated March 12, 2025, and addressed to the firm, Ike, Ike & Associates, the institution categorically denied ever issuing the said certificate.
Documents obtained show that Kwara State Polytechnic disowned the OND certificate in a letter dated March 12, 2025, and signed by Ibrahim Eletu Saka, the Deputy Registrar (Examinations and Records).
The institution confirmed that the statement of result presented by Chijioke “did not emanate from the school” and was therefore fake.
Armed with the school’s confirmation, a civic accountability group — the Dependable Patriots for Nation Building and Transformation Initiative (DPNBTI) — petitioned several government bodies, including the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the ICPC, the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, and the Presidency.
The petition accused the official of forgery, perjury, and conspiracy, urging the police to prosecute him and recover all benefits gained through the falsified records.
“Our investigation revealed that Nwankwoeze Chijioke used a forged statement of result dated January 16, 1997, purportedly issued by Kwara State Polytechnic, to secure admission into Oko Polytechnic and later employment in the civil service,” the group stated. “The institution has disowned the document in its official letter dated March 12, 2025.”
Despite the petitions, sources say the authorities have yet to take concrete action months after the complaint. Frustrated by the silence, the DPNBTI approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking a court order to compel the police to investigate and prosecute the director.
The case, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2050/2025, requests an Order of Mandamus directing the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force to take action against the official. The court has also been asked to allow substituted service due to difficulties in reaching the defendant.
“This is a test of institutional accountability,” the group’s lawyer said. “When clear evidence of forgery is ignored, it weakens public confidence in the system.”
The case, filed on September 23, 2025, has been assigned to a trial judge for hearing. However, this development adds to a growing list of certificate scandals in Nigeria’s public sector.
This development is coming days after Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, resigned from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet after questions were raised over the authenticity of his academic credentials.
His exit sparked renewed calls for stricter verification of certificates among public officials.
