Minister Uche Nnaji resigns over alleged certificate forgeries

*Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, resigns from office over alleged forgeries of both his University Degree certificate from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and NYSC discharge certificate earlier submitted to the country’s authorities at his appointment as a Minister August 2023

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

‎Sequel to allegations of certificate forgeries, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, has resigned from office.

‎Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who disclosed this development in a statement Tuesday, October 7, 2025, in Abuja, FCT, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had accepted Chief Nnaji’s letter of resignation as a Minister of the Federal Republic.

It is recalled that Tinubu appointed Nnaji as a Minister August 2023.

Onanuga stated: “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 future endeavours.”

Earlier news reports had indicated that the outgoing Minister was involved in alleged certificate forgeries.

The certificate scandal revolved around his purported “graduation” from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and subsequent participation in the National Youth Service Corps’ (NYSC) one-year mandatory National Service, the false documents, which he submitted to the regulatory authorities upon his appointment by the President into the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Onanuga stated that Nnaji, in his resignation letter Tuesday, thanked Tinubu for allowing him to serve Nigeria thus far.

‎The Minister claimed that he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents.

Enugu Government urged Nnaji to ‘carry his cross’

Prior to his resignation from office Tuesday, the Enugu State Government of Nigeria had denied sponsoring allegations of certificate forgeries against Chief Nnaji in any way.

The State Government had urged him to “carry his cross” and clear his name before Nigerians in respect of alleged forgery of both his University Degree certificate from UNN, and NYSC discharge certificate he submitted to the country’s authorities when President Tinubu appointed him a Minister 2023.

Mr. Chukwuemeka Nebo, Director of Information in the Enugu State Ministry of Information and Communication, in a statement Monday, October 6 said the South-East state had no hand whatsoever in the controversies surrounding Minister Nnaji’s academic records.

Nebo stated: “The Enugu State Government dissociates itself completely from these allegations.

“The Honourable Minister must carry his own cross and clear his name before Nigerians, instead of dragging the government into issues that are entirely personal to him.”

The Presidency, in the statement, also noted that Tinubu, however, thanked Nnaji for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.

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