Image of Minister Uche Nnaji

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has resigned three days after an investigation by PREMIUM TIMES exposed that he allegedly forged two certificates submitted during his ministerial nomination process.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed the resignation in a post on his X handle on Tuesday.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, following some allegations against him,” Mr Onanuga wrote.
“President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.”

FINDINGS OF THE INVESTIGATION

A detailed two-year investigation published by PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday revealed that Mr Nnaji forged the credentials he submitted to President Tinubu and the Senate during his confirmation in 2023.

The report showed that both his degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate were falsified.

Allegations of certificate forgery had trailed the former minister since July 2023, when President Tinubu named him among the first batch of 28 ministerial nominees forwarded to the Senate for screening.

Critics have long maintained that Mr Nnaji did not complete his university education, and PREMIUM TIMES found conclusive evidence indicating that the degree and NYSC certificates in his possession were forged.

The newspaper further reported that at the time Mr Nnaji claimed to have graduated from UNN and completed the mandatory national youth service, he was still corresponding with the university to re-sit a failed terminal course examination.

Both UNN and the NYSC, in separate responses to PREMIUM TIMES’ Freedom of Information requests, disowned the certificates allegedly issued to Mr Nnaji.

PUBLIC REACTION AND MINISTER’S ABSENCE

The revelations sparked widespread outrage across the country. On Monday, Mr Nnaji was notably absent from a press conference convened by his ministry to address the allegations. His aides, who represented him, claimed without evidence that the minister indeed graduated from UNN.

NNAJI’S RESPONSE: “MY RESIGNATION NOT ADMISSION OF GUILT”

In a statement issued Tuesday night, the former minister said his resignation “did not come lightly,” describing it as a personal decision made to protect the integrity of due process.

“My decision to step aside is therefore a personal choice — not an admission of guilt, but rather a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings currently before the court,” he said. “In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just.”

Mr Nnaji alleged that the certificate scandal was politically motivated and driven by “an orchestrated and sustained campaign of falsehood” against him.

“Over the past week, politically motivated and malicious attacks have been waged against my person, integrity, and office across various media platforms,” he said. “These unfounded allegations have caused personal distress and distracted from the vital work of the Ministry and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President.”

He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and pledged continued support for the administration.

“I remain deeply grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the confidence he reposed in me and for the privilege to serve in his cabinet. His vision for a renewed, innovative, and technologically driven Nigeria is one I continue to hold dear,” Mr Nnaji added.

Mr Nnaji was appointed Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology in August 2023.