President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, following allegations made against him.
Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, tendered his resignation in a letter to the President, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve the nation.
In his letter, Nnaji said he had been the target of “blackmail by political opponents,” but did not elaborate on the nature of the allegations.
President Tinubu, in accepting the resignation, commended the former minister for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
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The former minister has been dogged allegations questioning the authenticity of his academic credentials.
Though he had insisted that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) officially issued him a degree certificate in 1985, but the university authority declared that the minister never graduated from the institution.
Speaking through his spokesperson, Dr. Robert Ngwu, on Monday, October 6, 2025, in Abuja, Nnaji described the forgery claims as “deliberate misinformation” and “politically motivated,” aimed at tarnishing his image.
“Chief Uche Nnaji is a proud alumnus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), having graduated in July 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry, Second Class (Honours) Lower Division,” Ngwu said.
The clarification came after reports surfaced showing that Nnaji had earlier stated under oath that UNN never issued him a degree certificate.
In court filings before Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the minister admitted that he had not collected his certificate from the university.
Nnaji had filed a suit against the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN, and several of its top officials, challenging actions he considered defamatory and damaging to his reputation.
However, in a recent turnaround, his spokesperson maintained that the university’s own records and archives confirm Nnaji’s graduation.
“That fact is not in doubt. It is documented in the University’s records, acknowledged in its official correspondence, and reflected in its 1985 Convocation Brochure,” Ngwu stated.
He cited a letter dated December 21, 2023, signed by I.A.S. Onyeador on behalf of the Registrar, Dr Celine Ngozi Nnebedum, as the authentic confirmation of Nnaji’s credentials.
“Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, with registration number 1981/30725, was admitted in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry and graduated in July 1985 with a Bachelor of Science, Second Class (Honours) Lower Division,” the letter read.
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