The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has officially resigned following allegations of certificate forgery. According to Premium Times, cited by Njenje Media News, Nnaji failed to provide convincing proof of the authenticity of his university degree during a security vetting process, prompting President Bola Tinubu to request his resignation.
In a statement issued by Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency confirmed that President Tinubu accepted Nnaji’s resignation. Appointed in August 2023, Nnaji expressed his gratitude to the President in his resignation letter, insisting that he was a victim of political blackmail. President Tinubu, in turn, thanked the former minister for his service and wished him success in future endeavours.
Njenje Media News further confirms that the controversy surrounding Uche Nnaji’s academic credentials arose from conflicting records at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). While UNN initially affirmed in a 2023 letter that Nnaji graduated in 1985 with a B.Sc. in Microbiology/Biochemistry, the university later reversed its position in a letter dated October 2, 2025, stating that Nnaji did not complete his studies and was never issued a degree certificate.
Investigations uncovered that Nnaji failed a key course, Virology (MCB 431AB), which he was scheduled to retake in 1986 but missed due to illness. Records indicate he never fulfilled the requirement, and both his degree and NYSC discharge certificates submitted during ministerial screening were forged.
Court documents reportedly show that Nnaji admitted UNN never issued him a certificate, contradicting his earlier public statements. Nnaji and his spokesperson claim the allegations are politically motivated, accusing Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah of orchestrating the scandal to discredit him before the 2027 elections. Nnaji has since taken the matter to court, securing orders to prevent UNN from altering his records and to compel the release of his academic transcript, though the university has yet to comply.
