Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, has resigned following allegations of certificate forgery leveled against him.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the resignation in a statement, noting that the president has accepted the minister’s decision.
According to Onanuga, 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.”
The former minister recently made headlines over accusations that he forged the academic certificates he submitted upon his appointment in 2023.
A report by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate presented by Nnaji, stating that he did not complete his studies and was never issued a certificate.
According to the report, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Professor Simon U. Ortuanya, confirmed that although Nnaji was admitted in 1981, he failed to graduate and therefore could not have received a degree.
It also noted that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) denied issuing the certificate of national service being paraded by the former minister, stating it could not verify its authenticity.
However, Nnaji, through his spokesperson, Dr. Robert Ngwu, refuted the allegations during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, insisting that he earned a BSc degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry with Second Class Honours (Lower Division) in 1985.
The former minister also urged UNN authorities to release his academic transcript immediately, accusing the institution of politicising the matter and tarnishing his reputation by issuing conflicting reports on his academic status.
