The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji has resigned amid mounting allegations of certificate forgery.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has however accepted the resignation, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Onanuga said he has accepted Nnaji’s decision, which came about, ‘following some allegations against him’.
The statement recalled that Nnaji was appointed 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 statement read.
The controversy that led to the Minister’s resignation erupted after the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) formally disowned the degree certificate being presented by Nnaji, stating that the institution’s records show he did not graduate or receive the purported certificate in July 1985.
In filings before the court, Nnaji himself admitted that he has “yet to collect” any degree certificate from UNN, citing a lack of cooperation from university authorities.
Nnaji’s office, through his special adviser, Dr. Robert Ngwu, has denied the allegations, arguing that they are politically motivated and urging UNN to release his academic transcript.
The minister had previously approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order to restrain the university from tampering with his records and to compel release of his transcript.
The court has scheduled November 10, for the substantive hearing of a suit challenging the authenticity of Nnaji’s academic credentials
