…Says decision is to protect Tinubu’s administration, not an admission of wrongdoing
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has announced his resignation from the Federal Executive Council but insisted he is innocent of the allegations of certificate forgery currently trailing him.
Nnaji, who tendered his resignation to President , explained that the decision was a personal sacrifice aimed at protecting the image of the administration, not an admission of guilt.
“This decision did not come lightly,” Nnaji said in a statement released in Abuja on Tuesday.
“Over the past week, an orchestrated sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated, and malicious attacks have been waged against my person, integrity, and office across print, electronic, and social media platforms. These unfounded allegations and media distortions have not only caused personal distress but have also begun to distract from the vital work of the Ministry and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.”
The former minister stressed that stepping aside would enable him to focus on clearing his name and allow the government to concentrate on governance without unnecessary controversy.
“As someone who has spent more than five decades building a reputation anchored on hard work, honour, and service to humanity, I cannot in good conscience allow these distractions to cast a shadow over the noble objectives of this administration,” he declared.
“My decision to step aside is therefore a personal choice — not an admission of guilt, but rather a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings currently before the court. In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just.”
The minister’s resignation follows weeks of intense public scrutiny and revelations surrounding his academic credentials.
Documents that surfaced in the media alleged discrepancies in the degree certificate Nnaji presented during his ministerial screening. Questions were raised over claims that he graduated from the in July 1985, despite records showing that he failed Virology (Course code: MCB 431) and applied to resit the examination in subsequent years.
Further controversy erupted over his (NYSC) discharge certificate, which reportedly bore irregularities — including being signed by an NYSC Director-General who was not in office at the time and featuring a serial number format inconsistent with certificates issued in 1986.
The issue gained traction when Nnaji failed to personally attend a scheduled world press conference to clarify the matter, leaving his aides unable to answer critical questions from journalists.
Nnaji used the statement to thank President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve in his cabinet, pledging continued loyalty to the administration’s vision.
“I remain deeply grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the confidence he reposed in me and for the privilege to serve in his cabinet,” he said.
“His vision for a renewed, innovative, and technologically driven Nigeria is one I continue to hold dear, and I pledge my unflinching support to his administration and its transformative goals.”
Nnaji’s resignation is expected to further intensify the national debate over public office eligibility, documentation integrity, and accountability within government institutions.
