Finally, Tinubu’s Embattled Minister Resigns Amid Certificate Scandal
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has tendered his resignation following allegations concerning the authenticity of his academic qualifications.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development in a statement issued late Tuesday, noting that President Bola Ahmed 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 allegations regarding his credentials,” the statement read.
Onanuga disclosed that Nnaji, who was appointed to the Federal Executive Council in August 2023, submitted his resignation letter earlier in the day, expressing gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve the country.
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“Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents. President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in his future endeavours,” Onanuga added.
Nnaji’s resignation comes amid an ongoing controversy over his educational background. An investigation by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate the former minister presented.
According to UNN’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon U. Ortuanya, while Nnaji was admitted into the university in 1981, he did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree.
Further findings by the newspaper indicated that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) also could not authenticate the certificate of national service presented by Nnaji, describing it as “strange” to the Corps’ records.
The resignation marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over public office holders’ integrity and the scrutiny of their academic claims.
By PRNigeria
