Uche Nnaji resigns from Tinubu’s cabinet after controversy over his university and NYSC certificates sparks investigation and nationwide debate on political integrity.
The former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji resigns from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet following mounting allegations regarding the authenticity of his academic qualifications.
His exit marks one of the most significant political developments in the administration this year.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed the Uche Nnaji resignation in a statement on Tuesday, saying President Tinubu had accepted Nnaji’s decision to step down.
“He resigned in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve. The President appreciated his service and wished him well,” Onanuga stated.
Nnaji, who served less than two years, claimed he was a victim of political blackmail, accusing his opponents of orchestrating the forgery scandal to tarnish his reputation.
The Uche Nnaji resignation followed an explosive investigative report alleging that he presented forged academic and NYSC certificates during his ministerial screening in 2023.
According to the report, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) disowned the degree certificate Nnaji submitted. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, stated in an official reply to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request dated October 2, 2025, that although Nnaji was admitted in 1981, he never completed his studies and therefore was not a graduate of the university.
This contradicted an earlier letter from the UNN Registrar, Celine Nnebedum, who had initially confirmed Nnaji’s graduation in December 2023 but later recanted in May 2025, telling the Public Complaints Commission that the university found no record of his name in the 1985 graduating list.
Further deepening the scandal, court documents revealed that Nnaji himself admitted under oath that the university never issued him a degree certificate and that he “never collected one.”
In September, Nnaji filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, suing the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), the University of Nigeria, and others, asking the court to stop the university from “tampering” with his academic records.
At the hearing, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sebastian Hon (SAN) represented Nnaji, while E.M. Asogwa appeared for the university and its officials.
The Uche Nnaji resignation has become the first major ministerial exit in Tinubu’s administration since May 2023.
Civil rights groups have called for a full investigation into how such a scandal escaped the Senate screening process, demanding reforms in certificate verification for public office holders.
Political analysts believe Tinubu’s swift acceptance of Nnaji’s resignation was intended to control damage and preserve public trust.
However, critics argue that the resignation should be followed by a thorough probe to ensure accountability.
Appointed in August 2023, Nnaji was expected to spearhead technological innovation and drive Nigeria’s science agenda.
His tenure saw modest initiatives in research and digital development, but the Uche Nnaji resignation has now overshadowed those efforts and raised serious concerns about integrity in public service.
The scandal has reignited calls for Nigeria to create a National Credentials Verification Commission to prevent future cases of forgery and protect the integrity of the civil service.
The Uche Nnaji resignation is not just about a single minister’s downfall — it reflects a deeper challenge within Nigeria’s governance system.
As court proceedings continue, citizens await whether justice will be served or whether this episode will fade like many others before it.
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