Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has said his resignation from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet is not an admission of guilt but a demonstration of respect for due process.
Nnaji, who is entangled in a certificate forgery controversy, announced his resignation in a letter to the President on Tuesday, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to serve.
Confirming the development in a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said, “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.”
In a statement, the Enugu-born politician said his decision to step down followed “deep reflection and consultations” with family, associates, and well-meaning Nigerians.
He said he formally resigned after what he described as a “sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated and malicious attacks” against his person, integrity, and office.
“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.
The former minister, appointed in August 2023, noted that he had spent over five decades building a reputation based on “hard work, honour, and service to humanity.”
“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,” he stated.
“In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just.”
Nnaji thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve in his administration.
“I remain deeply grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the confidence he reposed in me and for the privilege to serve in his cabinet,” he said.
“His vision for a renewed, innovative, and technologically driven Nigeria is one I continue to hold dear, and I pledge my unflinching support to his administration and its transformative goals.”
What You Should Know
Nnaji resigned amid an escalating controversy over alleged certificate forgery linked to his academic records from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
His resignation followed a Premium Times investigation alleging that Nnaji submitted forged academic and NYSC certificates during his 2023 ministerial screening.
The report referenced a letter from UNN’s Vice-Chancellor confirming that although Nnaji was admitted in 1981, he did not complete his studies or graduate. This contradicted an earlier letter from the university’s registrar affirming his graduation.
Nnaji, in a previous statement, denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated. He presented documents, including a 1985 graduation brochure and a registrar’s letter, to support his claim of earning a BSc in Microbiology/Biochemistry.
He accused UNN of withholding his academic transcript for political reasons and described the controversy as “political desperation disguised as academic inquiry.”
