Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has officially resigned from office following mounting allegations of certificate forgery and increasing pressure from civic groups and political stakeholders.
Nnaji, who President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed in August 2023, submitted his resignation letter on Monday, expressing gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve.
In his letter, the former minister described himself as a target of “blackmail and political persecution.”
“I wish to thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the privilege to serve. I have, however, become the subject of sustained blackmail from political opponents, and in the interest of focus and integrity, I have chosen to step aside,” the letter partly read.
Allegations of Certificate Forgery
Nnaji’s resignation comes after weeks of controversy surrounding his academic and NYSC credentials.
A civil society group, Global Gender Safety & Moral Development (GGSMD), had accused him of submitting forged certificates from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Both institutions reportedly disowned the documents attributed to them, sparking nationwide calls for his suspension and investigation.
In response, Nnaji filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, asking the court to compel UNN to release his official academic transcript and restrain the institution from tampering with his records.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, is scheduled to continue on November 10, 2025.
Presidency Reacts
Despite his repeated denials, pressure continued to mount on the Presidency to take action, with civic groups, opposition parties, and professional bodies — including the Nigerian Bar Association’s Anti-Corruption Committee — demanding his removal.
In a brief statement on Tuesday, the Presidency confirmed President Tinubu’s acceptance of Nnaji’s resignation, thanking him for his service and wishing him success in future endeavours.
Nnaji’s exit marks the first major ministerial resignation from Tinubu’s cabinet since it was inaugurated in 2023.
