The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet following controversies over alleged certificate forgery and questions surrounding his academic qualifications.
Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, announced his resignation in a letter addressed to President Tinubu on Tuesday, citing persistent blackmail and political pressure as the reasons for his decision to step down.
In the letter, the former minister expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the nation, pledging his continued support for the administration’s development agenda.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement on Tuesday that President Tinubu had accepted Nnaji’s resignation.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him. The President thanked him for his service and wished him well in his future endeavours,” the statement read.
Nnaji’s exit comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding his academic records from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). The dispute between the former minister and the Enugu State Government deepened after both sides traded accusations over the authenticity of his certificates.
Tensions escalated when the Federal High Court in Enugu dismissed Nnaji’s attempt to stop UNN from releasing his academic records. The court ruled that the university was within its rights to disclose the information under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, a decision that intensified public scrutiny of the minister’s credentials.
Nnaji has consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that he is a victim of political blackmail aimed at discrediting his reputation.
