The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has resigned from office following allegations of certificate forgery surrounding his academic qualifications.
Digital TimesNG reports that his resignation was confirmed on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, in an official statement.
According to Onanuga, “President Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him.”
He explained that Nnaji, who was appointed to the federal cabinet in August 2023, tendered his resignation letter earlier today, expressing gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve the nation.
In the letter, Nnaji reportedly claimed he had “been a target of blackmail by political opponents.”
Onanuga added that the President appreciated the former Minister’s service and wished him success in his future endeavours.
The resignation follows a damning investigation by PREMIUM TIMES, which revealed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate presented by Nnaji.
According to the report, UNN Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon U. Ortuanya, confirmed that while Nnaji was admitted into the university in 1981, he neither completed his studies nor was awarded any degree.
The investigation further uncovered that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) could not verify the authenticity of the certificate of national service purportedly issued to Nnaji, describing it as “strange” and unauthenticated.
With his resignation, President Tinubu is expected to announce a replacement for the Innovation, Science, and Technology portfolio in the coming days.