By Erewunmi Peace

Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche (Geoffrey Uchechukwu) Nnaji, has officially resigned following widespread allegations of certificate forgery linked to his academic records at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

According to reports confirmed by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted Nnaji’s resignation. The minister’s exit comes just days after UNN publicly disowned the degree certificate he claimed to possess, stating that available records showed he was admitted to study engineering but did not complete the program.

In his resignation letter, Nnaji thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, while insisting that the allegations against him were politically motivated. The Presidency has not yet named a replacement for his position.

The controversy began when Premium Times published an investigative report revealing discrepancies in Nnaji’s academic records. The university’s registrar confirmed that Nnaji’s name did not appear on its list of graduates, prompting public outcry and calls for his resignation from civil society groups.

This development adds to a growing list of controversies within the current administration, as public scrutiny over integrity and transparency continues to intensify.