The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
His resignation was confirmed on Tuesday by the Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
Nnaji’s exit comes amid growing controversy over the authenticity of his academic and NYSC credentials, which he reportedly submitted during his ministerial nomination.
According to a two-year investigation by Premium Times, Nnaji allegedly forged the certificates he presented to President Tinubu and the Senate during his screening process. The report claimed that while Nnaji stated he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1975, the institution could not verify that he completed his studies.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Simon Ortuanya, reportedly confirmed that although Nnaji was admitted to the university in 1981, he never graduated or received a degree. Similarly, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was said to have disowned the certificate of national service presented by Nnaji, describing it as unauthentic.
The allegations of certificate forgery have followed Nnaji since his nomination in July 2023 as one of the first batch of 28 ministers sent to the Senate for confirmation.
What you should know
Uche Nnaji’s resignation marks the first major cabinet exit under President Tinubu’s administration linked to a certificate scandal.
His case has intensified public scrutiny of Nigeria’s political vetting process and the integrity of credentials submitted by public officeholders.
