Nigeria’s former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has explained why he stepped down from office following allegations of certificate forgery.
Mr. Nnaji announced his resignation on Tuesday, describing the move as a “personal decision” and not an admission of wrongdoing. His exit came after widespread controversy surrounding the authenticity of his university degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates.
In a statement released Tuesday night, the former minister stated that his decision was guided by principle and respect for due process.
“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,” he said.
Mr. Nnaji also claimed that the wave of allegations against him was part of a politically driven campaign intended to tarnish his reputation.
“Over the past week, an orchestrated and sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated and malicious attacks has been waged against my person, integrity, and office across print, electronic, and social media platforms.
These unfounded allegations and 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,” he said.
Mr. Nnaji is currently involved in a lawsuit against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), its Vice-Chancellor, the Ministry of Education, and others. The case aims to stop the release of his academic records to media organizations.
Allegations of certificate forgery have trailed Mr. Nnaji since July 2023, when President Bola Tinubu appointed him among the first batch of 28 ministerial nominees.
Critics had long argued that Mr. Nnaji did not complete his university education and that both his degree and NYSC certificates were falsified. Reports later revealed inconsistencies in the documents he presented for his ministerial screening and other official verifications.
It was also gathered that at the period he claimed to have graduated from the University of Nigeria and completed his NYSC program, he was still corresponding with the university regarding a failed terminal course examination.
Amid growing public outrage and scrutiny, Mr. Nnaji failed to appear at a scheduled press conference organized by his office on Monday to address the matter. His aides, who represented him, maintained that he did graduate from the university, though without presenting verifiable evidence.
Following sustained pressure and controversy over the authenticity of his certificates, the former minister tendered his resignation on Tuesday evening.
