Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has resigned from office following a storm of controversy over alleged forged academic certificates.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed the development late Tuesday, announcing that President Bola Tinubu had accepted Nnaji’s resignation.
The former minister’s exit came after PREMIUM TIMES published an investigation revealing that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), had disowned the Bachelor of Science degree Nnaji claimed to hold.
According to UNN’s Vice-Chancellor, Simon U. Ortuanya, Nnaji was admitted in 1981 but never completed his studies and was never awarded a degree.
The report also noted that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) could not verify the authenticity of Nnaji’s discharge certificate, describing it as “strange.”
Onanuga said in a statement: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him.
“President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023. He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria.
“Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents.
“President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.”
Nnaji’s resignation marks the first major ministerial exit under Tinubu’s administration and intensifies calls for stricter verification of public officials’ credentials.
