Minister Geoffrey Nnaji Resigns Over Certificate Forgery Allegations

The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has resigned from office following mounting allegations of certificate forgery against him.

His resignation comes days after the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) reportedly disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate he had long claimed to possess, deepening the controversy surrounding his academic qualifications.

Confirming the development in a statement on Tuesday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, said the President has accepted the minister’s decision to step down.

“President Tinubu accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him,” Onanuga stated.

He recalled that President Tinubu appointed Nnaji to the cabinet in August 2023, adding that the former minister, in his resignation letter, expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve the nation.

According to Onanuga, Nnaji claimed he had “been a target of blackmail by political opponents” and decided to resign to enable a full and fair investigation into the matter.

“President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in his future endeavours,” Onanuga added.

Nnaji’s resignation follows widespread public outcry after a letter from the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, surfaced last week, categorically denying that the institution issued any certificate in his name. The revelation triggered calls for his suspension and prosecution, with civil society groups demanding accountability from the federal government.

Political observers note that this may be the first major resignation in President Tinubu’s cabinet linked to an integrity scandal, raising further questions about the vetting process of ministerial nominees.