Certificate Scandal: Tinubu’s Minister Nnaji Resigns

Certificate Scandal: Tinubu’s Minister Nnaji Resigns
UNN and NYSC deny authenticity of his academic and service documents.
Presidency thanks Nnaji for his service and wishes him well.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following allegations surrounding his academic and NYSC credentials.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Nnaji, who was appointed to the cabinet in August 2023, tendered his resignation in a letter addressed to the President on Tuesday. The letter, according to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the nation.

Onanuga’s statement read, “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.”

However, the resignation comes shortly after an investigative report by Premium Times revealed inconsistencies in Nnaji’s academic records. The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), reportedly disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate in his possession, stating that the former minister did not complete his studies at the institution.

The Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Professor Simon U. Ortuanya, confirmed that although Nnaji gained admission in 1981, he never fulfilled graduation requirements and was therefore not issued a degree.

Additionally, Premium Times reported that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) could not verify the certificate of national service presented by Nnaji, describing it as “strange” and unauthenticated.

With his resignation now accepted, President Tinubu is expected to appoint a new minister to oversee the Innovation, Science, and Technology portfolio in the coming days.