The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet following controversies over his academic records and allegations of certificate forgery.
Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, announced his resignation in a letter to President Tinubu on Tuesday, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve.
Confirming the development, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President has accepted Nnaji’s resignation.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him,” Onanuga said. “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 his future endeavours.”
Nnaji’s resignation comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding his alleged certificate forgery and questions about his academic qualifications from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The dispute escalated after the Federal High Court in Enugu dismissed Nnaji’s attempt to prevent UNN from releasing his academic records. The court ruled that the university was within its rights to provide the documents in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request — a decision that heightened public scrutiny.
Despite the allegations, Nnaji maintained that he is a victim of political blackmail aimed at damaging his reputation.