President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Mr. Geoffrey Uche Nnaji as Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following mounting allegations over the authenticity of his academic credentials.
A statement by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed that President Tinubu approved the resignation last night.
Nnaji, appointed in August 2023, thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his resignation as a result of “sustained blackmail and political persecution.”
“I have been a target of blackmail by political opponents,” Nnaji said.
The former minister came under public scrutiny after reports questioned the legitimacy of certificates he presented during his ministerial screening. Despite repeatedly denying wrongdoing, several civic groups and political figures demanded his suspension pending investigation.
According to Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed appreciation for Nnaji’s service and wished him success in his future endeavours.
Nnaji’s resignation marks the first ministerial exit over certificate-related controversy in the Tinubu administration. Previous ministerial exits, such as that of Dr. Betta Edu, were linked to financial impropriety.
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Nnaji Defends His UNN Credentials
Nnaji has consistently maintained that he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1985. At a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, his aide, Robert Ngwu, presented pages of the university’s 1985 convocation brochure containing Nnaji’s name and photograph.
“He is a proud alumnus of UNN, where he obtained a B.Sc. in Microbiology/Biochemistry, Second Class (Lower Division),” Ngwu said.
He cited a letter dated December 21, 2023, signed by Mrs. I.A.S. Onyeador on behalf of the UNN Registrar, which confirmed Nnaji’s graduation with a valid certificate.
However, Ngwu questioned the motive behind another letter, dated May 2025, allegedly denying Nnaji’s records. “What changed between December 2023 and May 2025 apart from a change of leadership at UNN?” he asked.
Ngwu also alleged attempts to tamper with Nnaji’s academic file at the university, prompting the minister to file a lawsuit at the Federal High Court, Abuja. He accused UNN Vice-Chancellor Prof. Simon Ortuanya of “politically motivated attacks,” claiming the controversy was designed to weaken Nnaji’s political influence in Enugu State, where he had contested the 2023 governorship election on the APC platform.
“This is not about education or integrity — it’s about political desperation disguised as academic inquiry,” Ngwu alleged.
Enugu Government Responds
The Enugu State Government swiftly denied involvement in the controversy. In a statement by Mr. Chukwuemeka Nebo, Director of Information, the government urged Nnaji to “carry his own cross and clear his name.”
“The Enugu State Government dissociates itself completely from these allegations. The Honourable Minister must clear his name before Nigerians, instead of dragging the government into issues that are entirely personal to him,” Nebo said.
Court Adjourns Case to November 10
At the hearing of the case (FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025), Nnaji’s counsel, Sebastine Hon (SAN), informed the court that all parties had been duly served. He accused the UNN Vice-Chancellor of authorizing a publication titled “Investigation: The Serial Certificate Forger in Tinubu’s Cabinet” after receiving the court notice — a move he described as “prejudicial.”
Counsel to the university, Mr. E.M. Asogwa, denied the allegation but assured the court that his clients would maintain the status quo. Justice Yilwa adjourned the matter till November 10 for further hearing.
According to a 9am News report, the resignation adds a new layer to ongoing debates about the integrity of public office holders in Nigeria and the need for stricter academic verification during political appointments.
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