Dare Babalola
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Tuesday, resigned from the government of President Bola Tinubu.
The development was confirmed in a statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement he signed.
The statement, titled, “President Tinubu Accepts Resignation of Geoffrey Nnaji As Minister,” was posted on Onanuga’s X account on Tuesday.
He wrote, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him.”
President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023.
He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria.
According to the statement, “Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents.”
Onanuga added that the president thanked Nnaji for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.
Earlier, Nnaji publicly denied allegations regarding his academic qualifications, describing the claims as unfounded and politically motivated.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Robert Ngwu, at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the Minister addressed reports alleging discrepancies in his academic records from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
Nnaji said the reports, published by a national online news platform, have caused significant reputational damage and called on the public to examine the facts.
“Starting from May 2025, a purported letter surfaced allegedly written by the university suddenly claiming that there were no records of the Minister’s graduation. The question every Nigerian should ask is simple and logical, what changed between December 2023 and October 2025?” Ngwu said.
He stated that the Minister was duly admitted into UNN in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry, graduating in 1985 with a Second Class Honours (Lower Division).
To support this, a document was presented at the briefing, reportedly issued by the university’s Registrar, Dr. Mrs. Celine Ngozi Nnebedum, and signed on her behalf by IAS Onyeador on December 21, 2023.
The letter reads in part: “This is to confirm that Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji with registration number 1981/30725 was admitted in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology/Biochemistry, Second Class (Hons) Lower Division.”
