Minister Geoffrey Nnaji has resigned amid certificate forgery controversy.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has resigned from office following mounting allegations of certificate forgery and growing pressure from civic groups and political stakeholders.
Nnaji, who was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August 2023, submitted his resignation letter on Monday, expressing gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve. He also claimed that he had been the target of “relentless blackmail” from political opponents.
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His exit comes after weeks of controversy over the authenticity of his academic and NYSC credentials.
A civil society organisation, Global Gender Safety & Moral Development (GGSMD), accused the minister of submitting forged certificates purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) both of which reportedly disowned the documents linked to them.
In response, Nnaji filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking an order compelling UNN to release his official academic transcript and restrain the university from tampering with his student records.
The case, with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, is scheduled to continue on November 10, 2025.
Despite Nnaji’s insistence on his innocence, public pressure intensified, with civil society groups, opposition parties, and professional associations including the Nigerian Bar Association’s Anti-Corruption Committee demanding his suspension and investigation.
President Tinubu has formally accepted Nnaji’s resignation, commended him for his contributions to the administration, and wished him success in his future endeavours.
The resignation adds to the list of recent cabinet shake-ups and could trigger a broader review of ministerial vetting processes in the Tinubu administration.
