Uche Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has officially resigned from his position, the Presidency confirmed late Tuesday.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga announced the development in a statement, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted Nnaji’s resignation following mounting controversy over the authenticity of his academic qualifications.
The scandal erupted after an investigation by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), disowned the Bachelor of Science degree Nnaji claimed to hold. According to the report, UNN Vice-Chancellor, Simon U. Ortuanya, stated that although Nnaji was admitted to the university in 1981, he did not complete his studies and was never issued a certificate.
Compounding the issue, authorities at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) reportedly confirmed that the certificate of national service presented by Nnaji could not be verified and was unfamiliar to the agency.
Nnaji, who was appointed to the federal cabinet in August 2023, maintained in his resignation letter that he has been the target of political blackmail. Despite the controversy, President Tinubu expressed gratitude for his service and wished him success in future pursuits.
The resignation marks another high-profile departure from Tinubu’s cabinet as the administration continues to face scrutiny over the credentials of its appointees.
