Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has accepted the resignation of the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, following allegations that he forged his academic certificate.
Nnaji, who joined the Federal Executive Council in August 2023, tendered his resignation on Wednesday, expressing gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the nation. He also claimed that he had been the target of political blackmail.
In response, President Tinubu thanked Nnaji for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours.
Reports indicate that Nnaji was accused of presenting a forged certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) during his ministerial screening in 2023. Before stepping down, he had taken the matter to court, insisting that he legitimately earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry with Second Class Honours (Lower Division) in 1985.
Nnaji further alleged that UNN had withheld his academic documents, while his spokesman, Reuben Ugwu, accused the university of politicizing the issue.
Meanwhile, civil society groups and concerned Nigerians have called for a thorough investigation into the alleged forgery and urged that Nnaji be prosecuted if found guilty, warning that the matter should not be dismissed with his resignation alone.
Source:Africa Publicity
