Daily lens Report
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has resigned amid allegations of certificate forgery, barely a year after joining President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the resignation yesterday, noting that the President had accepted Nnaji’s decision to step down.
According to Onanuga, Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, tendered his resignation letter expressing gratitude to the President “for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.”
The embattled former minister claimed he had become a target of political blackmail, accusing the Enugu State Government and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) of orchestrating the forgery allegations.
An online publication had last week reported that Nnaji did not possess the UNN degree he claimed. In response, Nnaji approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order compelling the university to release his academic transcripts. Justice Yilwa has adjourned the matter to November 10.
The controversy sparked widespread reactions, with Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen its screening of candidates, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) criticized President Tinubu for retaining Nnaji despite “damning allegations.”
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has thanked Nnaji for his service and wished him well in his future endeavours
