BREAKING: Minister caught in certificate scandal resigns amid mounting evidence

Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has stepped down from office following mounting controversy over his academic records.

His resignation was confirmed late Tuesday in a statement by the Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.

Nnaji’s exit comes on the heels of a damning investigation, which uncovered discrepancies in his academic and service credentials.

According to the report, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), categorically denied issuing the Bachelor of Science degree Nnaji claimed to possess. The institution stated that while the former minister was indeed admitted in 1981, he did not complete his studies and was never awarded any certificate.

Simon U. Ortuanya, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, was quoted as confirming that Nnaji’s records showed no evidence of graduation or degree issuance.

The investigative platform also revealed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) could not verify the authenticity of Nnaji’s national service certificate. Officials reportedly described the document as “strange” and inconsistent with the scheme’s records.

“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 recalled that Nnaji was appointed in August 2023 and tendered his resignation in a letter expressing gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve.

In his resignation letter, Nnaji claimed he had become a target of blackmail by political rivals, insisting that his ordeal was a product of smear campaigns rather than personal wrongdoing.

“President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in his future endeavours,” Onanuga added.