Breaking: Minister Uche Nnaji Resigns Amid Certificate Forgery Allegations
Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, Nigeria's Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has tendered his resignation following intense scrutiny over the authenticity of academic documents he submitted during his ministerial confirmation. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation, a presidential aide confirmed.
What happened — the immediate facts
The resignation follows media investigations and public pressure after reports alleged that Mr Nnaji submitted forged academic credentials — specifically a university degree and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate — when he was screened by the Senate in 2023. The Premium Times and other outlets reported findings that the degree and NYSC documents in his possession are not genuine.
A statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy said the President had accepted Mr Nnaji’s resignation and thanked him for his service, while wishing him well in his future endeavours. The minister, in his resignation letter, reportedly said he had been the target of blackmail by political opponents.
Background — how the controversy developed
July–August 2023: Uche Nnaji was screened and confirmed as a ministerial nominee, submitting credentials to the Senate as part of the confirmation process.
2024–2025: Media investigations — including multi-month probes by national outlets — raised questions about inconsistencies in timelines on the certificates and whether UNN (University of Nigeria, Nsukka) or the NYSC issued the documents Nnaji presented. Some reports traced the scrutiny back to investigative pieces published in mid-2024.
Early October 2025: UNN formally disowned the degree certificate attributed to Mr Nnaji in response to freedom-of-information queries, deepening the crisis and prompting renewed calls for accountability. Court and institutional exchanges about access to his academic records also played into the unfolding story.
Reactions and implications
Civil society groups and opposition politicians have said the resignation underscores the need for stricter vetting procedures for public office holders. Commentators noted that the episode could prompt reforms in how background checks are verified before ministerial confirmations. Media organisations that led the investigations say their findings were instrumental in pushing the issue into the public domain.
The presidency’s acceptance of the resignation closes this chapter administratively but may not end legal or public scrutiny: several outlets reported earlier court filings and petitions seeking independent verification and legal redress. Observers say the government may still face questions about how the documents passed initial checks.
What the minister said (and what supporters say)
In his letter of resignation, Mr Nnaji thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and said he was stepping down because sustained allegations and what he called "blackmail" by political opponents had made it difficult to continue. Supporters argued the minister was being unfairly targeted by political actors seeking to score points. Critics said resignation was the minimum expected step given the gravity of the allegations.
Next steps
- President Tinubu is expected to nominate a replacement, either an acting head from within the ministry or a new ministerial nominee subject to Senate confirmation.
- Institutions named in the controversy — notably UNN and the NYSC — may respond further to official inquiries; the judiciary could also be involved if petitions or suits proceed.
- Calls for improved vetting and transparency around public appointments are likely to grow louder in the coming days.