Breaking: Tinubu’s Minister Resigns Amid Alleged Certificate Forgery

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has resigned from office following mounting allegations over the authenticity of his academic qualifications.

The development was confirmed late Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in an official statement.

According to Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu has accepted Nnaji’s resignation and wished him well in his future endeavours.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him,” the statement read.

“Nnaji resigned in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria. He said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents,” Onanuga added.

The controversy surrounding Nnaji’s resignation stems from a PREMIUM TIMES investigation that revealed the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate the former minister claimed to possess.

According to the report, Professor Simon U. Ortuanya, Vice-Chancellor of the university, confirmed that although Nnaji was admitted into the institution in 1981, he did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree.

Don’t miss out on any real-time information. Join our WhatsApp group to stay updated.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

“He was admitted but never completed his studies; hence, the university could not have issued him any certificate,” the Vice-Chancellor was quoted as saying.

The revelation immediately triggered widespread public criticism, prompting calls for the minister’s resignation and a formal investigation into his credentials.

Further deepening the scandal, authorities at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) reportedly stated that the certificate of national service being paraded by Nnaji could not be found in its records.

According to PREMIUM TIMES, NYSC officials described the certificate as “strange and unauthenticated.”

The development raised additional questions about how Nnaji was screened and cleared for ministerial appointment in August 2023.

Onanuga’s statement confirmed that Nnaji’s letter of resignation was formally received by the Presidency earlier on Tuesday.

“President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in his future endeavours,” the statement read.

Nnaji’s departure marks the first ministerial resignation under Tinubu’s administration since the cabinet was inaugurated in August 2023.

Before his resignation, Nnaji reportedly dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, insisting that he was being targeted by rivals seeking to tarnish his image.

“I have been a target of blackmail by political opponents,” he stated in his resignation letter, according to the Presidency’s release.

Despite his denial, his exit followed growing public scrutiny and questions over the integrity of his credentials.

Uche Nnaji was appointed Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology by President Tinubu in August 2023 as part of his Federal Executive Council (FEC).

During his tenure, he pledged to drive Nigeria’s technological development and strengthen innovation through research and digital transformation initiatives.

His resignation, however, comes less than a year into his appointment — a period now overshadowed by controversy over his academic record.