Uche Nnaji Denies Certificate Forgery, Says Attacks Politically Motivated

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has said his resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet was a matter of personal principle and not an admission of wrongdoing.

Nnaji, who stepped down on Tuesday, has been under public scrutiny over allegations that his academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates were forged.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, the former minister said his decision to resign “did not come lightly,” stressing that it was driven by a desire to uphold due process and protect the integrity of ongoing investigations.

“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,” Nnaji said.

“In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just.”

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Nnaji, who maintains that he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1975, insisted that the controversy over his certificates was politically motivated.

He alleged that the recent reports questioning his academic background were part of a calculated attempt to smear his reputation.

“Over the past week, an orchestrated and sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated and malicious attacks have been waged against my person, integrity, and office across print, electronic, and social media platforms,” he stated.

“These unfounded allegations and media distortions have not only caused personal distress but have also begun to distract from the vital work of the Ministry and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.”

Reports had indicated that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka could not verify his academic records, a claim the former minister vehemently denied.

Nnaji expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve in his administration, adding that his support for the government’s policies remains unwavering.

“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,” he said.

“His vision for a renewed, innovative, and technologically driven Nigeria is one I continue to hold dear, and I pledge my unflinching support to his administration and its transformative goals.”

Nnaji’s resignation came amid reports that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other investigative bodies had begun examining discrepancies in his university and NYSC records.

The controversy sparked widespread reactions online and within political circles, with calls for his resignation mounting before he officially tendered it on Tuesday.