Minister resigns over alleged certificate forgery scandal
Story by Susan Mbamah
Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has officially resigned from his position.
The resignation was confirmed by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga in a statement released late Tuesday.
Nnaji’s departure comes as he faces intense scrutiny over his academic qualifications. Following an investigation by PREMIUM TIMES, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), “disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate in the possession of the former Minister, saying the politician did not complete his studies at the institution and was never issued a certificate.”
PREMIUM TIMES reported that Simon U. Ortuanya, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, “stated that although Nnaji was admitted to the institution in 1981, he did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree.”
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Furthermore, authorities at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) also weighed in, with the platform adding that they “confirmed that the certificate of national service being paraded by Nnaji was strange to it and could not be authenticated.”
In his statement confirming the resignation, Presidential spokesman Onanuga said: “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,” the statement continued.
According to the President’s spokesman, “Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents.”
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Onanuga concluded: “President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.”
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