Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
Nnaji’s resignation came on Tuesday following controversy over his academic qualifications and allegations of certificate forgery.
A recent investigation by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), disowned the Bachelor of Science degree Nnaji claimed to have obtained.
The UNN Vice-Chancellor, Simon U. Ortuanya told the publication that although Nnaji was admitted in 1981, he did not complete his studies and was never issued a certificate.
The report added that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) could not verify the authenticity of Uche Nnaji’s NYSC discharge certificate, describing it as “strange.”
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed Nnaji’s resignation in a statement released on Tuesday night.
He said President Tinubu had accepted the minister’s decision to step down and wished him success 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.”
“President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023. He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria.
“Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents.
“President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours,” Onanuga’s statement read.
In a statement on Tuesday, Uche Nnaji said he resigned to protect his integrity and avoid creating distractions for the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, he made the decision after “deep reflection and consultations with family, associates, and well-meaning Nigerians.”
He claimed that recent allegations were “an orchestrated sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated, and malicious attacks” aimed at tarnishing his image.
“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,” he said.
Nnaji stressed that his resignation should not be seen as an admission of guilt but as a principled step to respect due process and allow the judicial process to take its course.
“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. In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just,” he stated.
He added that he could not, in good conscience, allow “distractions to cast a shadow over the noble objectives” of the Tinubu administration.
Nnaji emphasized that his reputation, built over “five decades anchored on hard work, honour, and service to humanity.”
The former minister thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and reaffirmed his support for the government’s vision for a “renewed, innovative, and technologically driven Nigeria.”
Uche Nnaji’s resignation also comes as investigations continue into alleged procurement irregularities in his ministry, as well as disputes with the Enugu State Government over claims that he presented forged certificates.
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.
