More details have emerged regarding the resignation of the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, amid allegations of certificate forgery.
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Findings by Saturday PUNCH revealed that President Bola Tinubu directed Nnaji to resign after reports surfaced that he allegedly forged his Bachelor’s degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates.
Nnaji, who claimed to have graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1985, was accused of submitting falsified academic credentials during his ministerial screening in 2023 — a claim the university has since denied.
The controversy began after Premium Times published an investigation alleging that Nnaji never completed his university education. The outlet also filed a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to UNN seeking the minister’s academic records.
In a letter dated October 2, 2025, UNN Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, confirmed that the university did not issue Nnaji’s degree certificate because he “did not complete his studies.”
The former minister subsequently approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to restrain the university from releasing his records.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, Nnaji admitted that he had yet to collect his certificate — contradicting his earlier claim of possession. Justice Hausa Yilwa, in a ruling delivered on September 22, dismissed Nnaji’s ex parte motion.
Following the exposure, Nnaji tendered his resignation, citing a desire to protect his integrity and prevent distractions to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his resignation statement, he described the allegations as “politically motivated, malicious, and orchestrated falsehoods” aimed at tarnishing his image.
“These unfounded allegations and media 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.
Nnaji maintained that his resignation was not an admission of guilt but an act of respect for due process and judicial proceedings.
Presidential sources confirmed to Saturday PUNCH that Nnaji was compelled to resign following a direct instruction from President Tinubu.
“The President invited him to the Villa and asked him to resign. He wasn’t threatened with a sack; there was no need for that. The President appointed him and could simply request his resignation, which he did,” a top aide said.
Another senior official revealed that the decision was taken to prevent further embarrassment to the administration.
“The President asked him to resign because the situation had become an embarrassment and a distraction. Some ministers and aides felt that the longer it dragged on, the more damaging it would be. Giving him a soft landing was the most prudent option,” the source explained.
When asked whether the Department of State Services (DSS) would be sanctioned for allegedly failing to detect the forgery during vetting, a source at the Presidency defended the agency, noting that the Senate also screened the credentials.
“We cannot blame the DSS alone. What about the Senate that screened him? They also had a duty to scrutinize the certificates,” the source added.
Another official alleged that UNN’s inconsistent statements contributed to the delay in Nnaji’s removal.
“It took that long because the university initially wrote a letter confirming that he graduated, only to recant months later,” he said.
A DSS official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, maintained that the agency followed due process in its background checks.
“I know the DSS has the capacity to do a thorough job, and they did in this case. Perhaps they relied on the university’s earlier claim that he graduated,” the source said, declining further comment.
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