Tinubu’s minister resigns amid controversy surrounded by his certificate
Nigerian President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday evening accepted the resignation of the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, following allegations of certificate forgery levied against him.
Tinubu, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said Nnaji resigned today (Tuesday) in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria.
President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023.
Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, alleged that he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents.
The statement added that President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.
Highly-placed sources in the Presidency told newsmen that Tinubu had asked Nnaji to honourably resign, rather than firing him publicly.
The decision was finalised on Tuesday evening at the State House, Abuja, after a brief meeting between the President and key advisers.
“The embattled minister, the one for science and technology, he is going to resign.
“Instead of the President firing him, he has asked him to just resign honourably,” one source told The PUNCH in confidence.
Another source, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed the development.
“Before the end of today (Tuesday), he will send his letter to the Office of the SGF (Secretary to the Government of the Federation) informing them that he is resigning.
“You know, it is the SGF who handles all matters pertaining to the Federal Executive Council.”
The development comes just days after a Premium Times investigative report published on Saturday, which alleged that Nnaji submitted forged academic and NYSC certificates to President Bola Tinubu and the Senate during his ministerial nomination process in 2023.
The report claimed that the UNN disowned the degree certificate submitted by Nnaji, stating that although he was admitted in 1981, he did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Simon Ortuanya, confirmed this in a response to a Freedom of Information request dated October 2, in which he stated that Nnaji was not a graduate of the institution.
This contradicted a December 2023 response from UNN’s Registrar, Celine Nnebedum, who had previously confirmed Nnaji’s graduation but later recanted before the Public Complaints Commission in 23 May 2025 letter that the university searched its graduation records for the 1985 session but could not find Mr Nnaji’s name on them.
The investigation also revealed that in a court affidavit, Nnaji admitted that the university never issued him a degree certificate and that he had “never collected one.”
In September, Nnaji filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court against the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission, UNN, Vice-Chancellor Ortuanya, and others, seeking to restrain the university from “tampering” with his academic records.
The case was heard on Monday, with Sebastian Hon (SAN) representing Nnaji, while E.M. Asogwa appeared for the university and its officials.
Source: PUNCH
