Geoffrey Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, resigned from the Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet due to allegations of certificate forgery and controversy surrounding his academic records.
Appreciating the chance to serve, Nnaji, appointed in August 2023, wrote to the President on Tuesday to announce his resignation.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Advisor on Information and Strategy, confirmed the development, stating, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him. President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023.”
“He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria. Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents. President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.”
Allegations of certificate forgery
Nnaji’s resignation coincides with ongoing controversy surrounding his academic credentials from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and allegations of certificate forgery.
Nnaji’s presentation of forged certificates was the subject of a verbal exchange between him and the Enugu State Government.
The conflict grew more heated after the Federal High Court in Enugu denied Nnaji’s attempt to prevent the University of Nigeria from disclosing his academic records.
The court’s ruling that the institution was legally permitted to disclose the minister’s academic details in response to a freedom of information request stoked further public scrutiny.
However, Nnaji insisted that political rivals out to damage his reputation were blackmailing him.