Tinubu’s Minister Resigns Amid Certificate Forgery allegations
Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the embattled Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, has stepped down from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet amid allegations of certificate forgery after days of denial.
Sources indicate that Nnaji was unable to provide satisfactory proof of the authenticity of his university degree during security vetting.
An inside source revealed that President Tinubu requested his resignation to prevent further embarrassment to the administration, a request Nnaji promptly honored.
Egalitarian Voice recalls that President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023.
In a statement released by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the presidency confirmed Tinubu’s acceptance of Nnaji’s resignation. Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, expressed gratitude to the president in his resignation letter and claimed he had been a victim of political blackmail.
President Tinubu thanked the former minister for his service and extended best wishes for his future endeavors.
The controversy surrounding Uche Nnaji’s certificate stems from conflicting claims about whether he actually graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as he stated in official records.
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Conflicting University Records: UNN initially confirmed in a 2023 letter that Nnaji graduated in 1985 with a B.Sc. in Microbiology/Biochemistry.
However, in a fresh letter dated October 2, 2025, the university reversed its stance, stating that Nnaji did not complete his studies and was never issued a degree certificate.
Investigations revealed that Nnaji failed a crucial course, Virology (MCB 431AB), and was scheduled to retake it in 1986. Correspondence from UNN showed he missed the resit due to illness and never completed the requirement.
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Investigations revealed that both the degree certificate and NYSC discharge certificate Nnaji submitted for his ministerial confirmation were forged.
In court filings, Nnaji reportedly admitted that UNN never issued him a certificate, contradicting his earlier claims.
Nnaji and his spokesperson alleged that the controversy is a politically motivated smear campaign, blaming rivals, particularly Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, for orchestrating the scandal to undermine him ahead of the 2027 elections.
Nnaji sought redress in court, which issued protective orders against UNN from altering his records and directed the release of his transcript. However, the university reportedly did not comply.
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