Atiku Demands Probe Into Tinubu’s Ministers’ Certificates Over Uche Nnaji’s Scandal

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for an investigation into the academic credentials of all ministers serving under President Bola Tinubu.

Atiku call comes following the resignation of Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology.

Nnaji resigned amid allegations that he submitted forged academic certificates during his ministerial screening and appointment process.

Reacting to the development in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Atiku said Nnaji’s resignation reflects a deeper ethical crisis within the Tinubu administration.

The former vice president argued that the minister should have been dismissed and prosecuted rather than allowed to resign voluntarily.

He went on to question Tinubu’s own academic and personal records, describing them as long-standing sources of controversy.

According to him, the inconsistencies surrounding Tinubu’s credentials have set a poor example for public officials.

He said, “This episode is not isolated. It is a reflection of a pattern — a rot that begins from the very top. The man who occupies the office of President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has for decades been enmeshed in controversies surrounding his identity, age, and academic records.

“From the Chicago State University saga to multiple contradictory claims under oath, the world has seen ample evidence that Nigeria today is led by a man who himself has been unable to credibly defend the authenticity of his own certificates.”

The ex-vice president added that when a leader’s personal history is clouded by allegations of forgery and falsehood, dishonesty becomes the norm in governance.

He claimed this has trickled down to the conduct of ministers and aides who, according to him, have resorted to document falsification and record manipulation.

He urged for an independent and transparent investigation into the academic and professional qualifications of all cabinet members, starting with the President himself.

“When a man of questionable identity leads a country, deception becomes the standard of governance. Tinubu’s personal history of alleged forgery and perjury has effectively institutionalized falsehood in public service.

“It is, therefore, unsurprising that his ministers and aides have taken after his example — falsifying documents, inflating records, and desecrating the moral foundation of our nation.

“I, therefore, call for an independent, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the academic and professional credentials of all members of the Federal Executive Council, beginning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself. Nigerians deserve to know the truth about those who preside over their lives and resources,” he said.

Atiku criticized Tinubu for portraying Nnaji’s resignation as voluntary instead of taking firm disciplinary action.

“Tuesday’s resignation of Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has once again brought to light the deep moral crisis at the heart of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration” he said.

“What should ordinarily be a matter of national shame is now being disguised as a ‘voluntary resignation’ — an attempt to whitewash yet another scandal that typifies the forgery-ridden character of this government.

“Let the truth be told: Uche Nnaji should not have been allowed the courtesy of resignation. He should have been summarily dismissed and prosecuted for deceit and falsification.

“By permitting him to quietly exit through the back door, the Tinubu administration has once again demonstrated that it is an assembly of forgers, impostors, and morally bankrupt individuals masquerading as public servants.”

He also faulted the Department of State Services (DSS) for failing to uncover Nnaji’s alleged certificate forgery during the vetting process, noting that the same agency had earlier blocked Nasir El-Rufai’s appointment over “security concerns.”

“What makes this even more embarrassing is that the same Department of State Services (DSS), which screened out Mallam Nasir El-Rufai for alleged ‘security concerns’, is the very agency that cleared this same character, Uche Nnaji.

“The DSS truly deserves our flowers for this national disgrace. Their failure of due diligence has made Nigeria an object of ridicule before the world and raises the question: how many more such individuals are occupying sensitive positions in this government?”

KanyiDaily recalls that a federal High Court in Abuja rejected Uche Nnaji’s application to stop the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), from releasing his academic records.